TPiS MiniRam
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 866
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
TPiS MiniRam
I have read all the back forum discussions in this area ..... a lot of good information, many variances on aftermarket vs ported vs etc.
I have a 1989 L98 - minor mods - K&N filter, cold air induction, headers & cat free true dual exhaust.
I have toyed w/ the thought on putting on the TPiS MiniRam & their fuel rail kit - everything else staying stock (heads/cam).
What can I expect different from my existing hp & torque? Pros & cons.
Am I going to have to do something different w/ my chip?
Is there any forum members out there, that has done basically the same mods ....... if so are you happy with end result. If so, WHY and if not WHY.
My goal is 300 - 325 hp. Will I get close????
Thanks in advance for your experience ..... it truly is appreciated.
I have a 1989 L98 - minor mods - K&N filter, cold air induction, headers & cat free true dual exhaust.
I have toyed w/ the thought on putting on the TPiS MiniRam & their fuel rail kit - everything else staying stock (heads/cam).
What can I expect different from my existing hp & torque? Pros & cons.
Am I going to have to do something different w/ my chip?
Is there any forum members out there, that has done basically the same mods ....... if so are you happy with end result. If so, WHY and if not WHY.
My goal is 300 - 325 hp. Will I get close????
Thanks in advance for your experience ..... it truly is appreciated.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Vic'89 recently installed a MR on his built L98 and lost .2sec on short time. He had been running TPI intake with Accel base & AS&M runners.
Are you talking 300 hp at the crank or the wheels??
Are you talking 300 hp at the crank or the wheels??
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,139
Likes: 1,728
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Well, looking at the LT1 and L98 engines....the cams are almost identical, and the heads are not that different in size. So if you slapped one on you'd basically be turning your engine into an LT1 (since its basically the same intake as MR). It would need some chip tuning though, for throttle tip-in issues and such. I would expect it to be fairly close to 300 hp at the crank, like an LT1.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 866
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Originally Posted by vader86
Well, looking at the LT1 and L98 engines....the cams are almost identical, and the heads are not that different in size. So if you slapped one on you'd basically be turning your engine into an LT1 (since its basically the same intake as MR). It would need some chip tuning though, for throttle tip-in issues and such. I would expect it to be fairly close to 300 hp at the crank, like an LT1.
Vader86: I have read several of the articles within your website, if I had the $$ flow - I would do a little more OR even better go out and buy a LT4. Anyway - I understand I will gain some more top end speed (which, I'm not concerned about), I would rather make the gain low to mid range - but will I lose some low end quickness - where will I stand mid-range rpm? 
Thank-you
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,139
Likes: 1,728
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Midrange and top end is where you'll gain, the engine may not quite feel 'alive' until 3000rpm. Thus the reason why LT1 people change gearing, to get to that band quickly.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,130
Likes: 7
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by vader86
Midrange and top end is where you'll gain, the engine may not quite feel 'alive' until 3000rpm. Thus the reason why LT1 people change gearing, to get to that band quickly.
Many years back,TPIS told me that 3.73 rear gears,and a 2800 stall( if auto equipped),was ideal for best operation of the miniram with a stock engine.I was asking best set up advise and thats what they told me worked great.
As Vader said,the LT1 guys have done it with their set ups and making an L98 closer to an LT1 style would perform about the same with them mods.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,870
Likes: 25
From: Long Island, NY
Most of the LT1 guys run 3.73's and a 3000 stall convertor with their stock motors.
The Miniram will feel very soft down low with a stock convertor.
You will loose the Torquey TPI feeling.
Vic
The Miniram will feel very soft down low with a stock convertor.
You will loose the Torquey TPI feeling.
Vic
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 866
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Gentlemen - thanks for your imput. I would rather have the low end & mid range ........... don't really care for more high end .......... so I believe I will bypass on the miniram, sit back and look at other options for my type of driving wants & $$ flow.
Once again ............. Thank-you
Once again ............. Thank-you
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,870
Likes: 25
From: Long Island, NY
Originally Posted by countylawdog
Gentlemen - thanks for your imput. I would rather have the low end & mid range ........... don't really care for more high end .......... so I believe I will bypass on the miniram, sit back and look at other options for my type of driving wants & $$ flow.
Once again ............. Thank-you
Once again ............. Thank-you
Vic
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,566
Likes: 4
From: Mt Laurel NJ
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Take a look at this web site. I have one that I will be putting on my car this winter (I hope).http://www.lt1intake.com/services.htm
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 140
From: Salem NH
Originally Posted by vader86
Well, looking at the LT1 and L98 engines....the cams are almost identical, and the heads are not that different in size. So if you slapped one on you'd basically be turning your engine into an LT1 (since its basically the same intake as MR). It would need some chip tuning though, for throttle tip-in issues and such. I would expect it to be fairly close to 300 hp at the crank, like an LT1.
And as far as cams go..
l98 in 1989 had a 10066049 camshaft, which was
207/213 @.050 .415/.430 on 117lsa
lt1: 205/207 .447/.459 on 117lsa
They are fairly similar. I'm not sure why the LT1 cam has a hair less duration, you would think it would be the other way.
The good thing is, the miniram has a 3.50" runner where the LT1 has only a 3", so in theory it should perform quite well. Though I'm not sure If the goal of 300hp will be met. Even the 113 L98 head kinda sucks.
-- Joe
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
My goal is 300 - 325 hp. Will I get close????
BTW, have you tossed the frisbee from the water pump pulley, done the cut back spark plugs, done the 160 T-stat & fan switch mods yet?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,139
Likes: 1,728
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by anesthes
The heads are way different in size and flow, the compression ratio is different, the cooling is better on the LT1 which allows for more spark advance.
And as far as cams go..
l98 in 1989 had a 10066049 camshaft, which was
207/213 @.050 .415/.430 on 117lsa
lt1: 205/207 .447/.459 on 117lsa
They are fairly similar. I'm not sure why the LT1 cam has a hair less duration, you would think it would be the other way.
The good thing is, the miniram has a 3.50" runner where the LT1 has only a 3", so in theory it should perform quite well. Though I'm not sure If the goal of 300hp will be met. Even the 113 L98 head kinda sucks.
-- Joe
And as far as cams go..
l98 in 1989 had a 10066049 camshaft, which was
207/213 @.050 .415/.430 on 117lsa
lt1: 205/207 .447/.459 on 117lsa
They are fairly similar. I'm not sure why the LT1 cam has a hair less duration, you would think it would be the other way.
The good thing is, the miniram has a 3.50" runner where the LT1 has only a 3", so in theory it should perform quite well. Though I'm not sure If the goal of 300hp will be met. Even the 113 L98 head kinda sucks.
-- Joe
Heads are not exactly the same, of course, but they are close enough. 163cc vs. 170cc is not a big difference to me.
CR is not all that different, last years of L98 had 10.25, LT1 had 10.5. Thats not a huge difference in my book.
Some ingenuity by the tuner can offset some of the advantages a stock LT1 has in terms of spark.
So I stand by my assesment.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,270
Likes: 26
From: Winchester VA
Cruise-In V Veteran
Originally Posted by countylawdog
I have read all the back forum discussions in this area ..... a lot of good information, many variances on aftermarket vs ported vs etc.
I have a 1989 L98 - minor mods - K&N filter, cold air induction, headers & cat free true dual exhaust.
I have toyed w/ the thought on putting on the TPiS MiniRam & their fuel rail kit - everything else staying stock (heads/cam).
What can I expect different from my existing hp & torque? Pros & cons.
Am I going to have to do something different w/ my chip?
Is there any forum members out there, that has done basically the same mods ....... if so are you happy with end result. If so, WHY and if not WHY.
My goal is 300 - 325 hp. Will I get close????
Thanks in advance for your experience ..... it truly is appreciated.
I have a 1989 L98 - minor mods - K&N filter, cold air induction, headers & cat free true dual exhaust.
I have toyed w/ the thought on putting on the TPiS MiniRam & their fuel rail kit - everything else staying stock (heads/cam).
What can I expect different from my existing hp & torque? Pros & cons.
Am I going to have to do something different w/ my chip?
Is there any forum members out there, that has done basically the same mods ....... if so are you happy with end result. If so, WHY and if not WHY.
My goal is 300 - 325 hp. Will I get close????
Thanks in advance for your experience ..... it truly is appreciated.
Superram
Modified single plane
Both are within the price range of a miniram and fuel kit. Single plane will be easier to install.
FWIW I added a miniram to an 85 that already had a cam (230rwhp), stock heads and stock exhaust manifolds (gutted cat and free-flow mufflers) and gained 4HP.
I think we need to keep in mind that it is a package that works and the subtle differences (not considering the intake design) between the L98 and the LT1 add up to quite a bit. A little difference everywhere is a big difference, then you throw an intake on top that compliments the package. IMHO, a miniram on an L98 does not an LT1 make. All the differences matter. It is from my experience (though not perfectly correlated to your 89) that I come to this conclusion. And maybe I missed it, but I do not recall seeing anyone put a MR on a stock L98 and pick up 45-75HP.
Bottom line, look into the other options, hard, especially given your desire to retain low and midrange power.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,991
Likes: 5
From: The Pines South Jersey
Originally Posted by RainDelay
You have a choice to best compliment to your existing setup that will deliver what you want
Superram
Modified single plane
Both are within the price range of a miniram and fuel kit. Single plane will be easier to install.
FWIW I added a miniram to an 85 that already had a cam (230rwhp), stock heads and stock exhaust manifolds (gutted cat and free-flow mufflers) and gained 4HP.
I think we need to keep in mind that it is a package that works and the subtle differences (not considering the intake design) between the L98 and the LT1 add up to quite a bit. A little difference everywhere is a big difference, then you throw an intake on top that compliments the package. IMHO, a miniram on an L98 does not an LT1 make. All the differences matter. It is from my experience (though not perfectly correlated to your 89) that I come to this conclusion. And maybe I missed it, but I do not recall seeing anyone put a MR on a stock L98 and pick up 45-75HP.
Bottom line, look into the other options, hard, especially given your desire to retain low and midrange power.
Superram
Modified single plane
Both are within the price range of a miniram and fuel kit. Single plane will be easier to install.
FWIW I added a miniram to an 85 that already had a cam (230rwhp), stock heads and stock exhaust manifolds (gutted cat and free-flow mufflers) and gained 4HP.
I think we need to keep in mind that it is a package that works and the subtle differences (not considering the intake design) between the L98 and the LT1 add up to quite a bit. A little difference everywhere is a big difference, then you throw an intake on top that compliments the package. IMHO, a miniram on an L98 does not an LT1 make. All the differences matter. It is from my experience (though not perfectly correlated to your 89) that I come to this conclusion. And maybe I missed it, but I do not recall seeing anyone put a MR on a stock L98 and pick up 45-75HP.
Bottom line, look into the other options, hard, especially given your desire to retain low and midrange power.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 140
From: Salem NH
Originally Posted by vader86
I'm well aware of all the specs, and not all the LT1s have the same camshaft, they used 3 different ones (4 counting the LT4 camshaft).
Heads are not exactly the same, of course, but they are close enough. 163cc vs. 170cc is not a big difference to me.
CR is not all that different, last years of L98 had 10.25, LT1 had 10.5. Thats not a huge difference in my book.
Some ingenuity by the tuner can offset some of the advantages a stock LT1 has in terms of spark.
So I stand by my assesment.
Heads are not exactly the same, of course, but they are close enough. 163cc vs. 170cc is not a big difference to me.
CR is not all that different, last years of L98 had 10.25, LT1 had 10.5. Thats not a huge difference in my book.
Some ingenuity by the tuner can offset some of the advantages a stock LT1 has in terms of spark.
So I stand by my assesment.
Who knows. I'm going by head flow charts, compression ratios, and the better tune on the reverse cooling system. Maybe you're right. I just dont have as much hope as you do
-- Joe
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,139
Likes: 1,728
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Its a common mistake in books to have the CR wrong for the last years of the L98, GM made several small changes to the pistons that moved it around.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Texas
miniram
Look at the length of the runners in a miniram. With a 3 or 3 1/2 inch runner you lose a lot. Look at intake manifolds for carbs, like strip dominators and the such and see if you can find an intake with a 3 or 3 1/2 runner. Check out there rpm operating range. An intake with that runner length should be advertised as having an RPM operating range of 5,000 RPM till ?. GM must have been thinking of saving money or been a sleep when designing that intake in my opinion.
