new engine advise wanted
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 91
From: Leander TX
new engine advise wanted
I'm restoring my 85 and have finished everything but the engine. I've been looking at the zz4 but am now thinking of some other options. Here is what I'm looking for:
- looking for about 300-350 rwhp and 400ish tq
- will be using a high flow TPI base, high flow runners, ported plenium and 52mm TB.
- I have TPIS long tube headers and will be going with true duals all the way back with two high flow cats.
Would you go with the ZZ4 (found a company that sells them without the intake, water-pump and HEi) for $3200 or what do you think about:
- stock l-98 shortblock $800
- alum. fastburn heads $1400
- mild cam (about the same as the zz4 cam) $200
I can do this for about $3000 (after rockers, headbolts, timing chain, etc).
Money is part of the equation but not the only factor. I want a strong car that is reliable enough for road trips. Car is more show than go as I don't street race or go to the track but I want more than what came stock. Which would you do and do you think either will get me where I want to be?
- looking for about 300-350 rwhp and 400ish tq
- will be using a high flow TPI base, high flow runners, ported plenium and 52mm TB.
- I have TPIS long tube headers and will be going with true duals all the way back with two high flow cats.
Would you go with the ZZ4 (found a company that sells them without the intake, water-pump and HEi) for $3200 or what do you think about:
- stock l-98 shortblock $800
- alum. fastburn heads $1400
- mild cam (about the same as the zz4 cam) $200
I can do this for about $3000 (after rockers, headbolts, timing chain, etc).
Money is part of the equation but not the only factor. I want a strong car that is reliable enough for road trips. Car is more show than go as I don't street race or go to the track but I want more than what came stock. Which would you do and do you think either will get me where I want to be?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
engine
I'd do a 383 with a mild cam, airflow research heads maybe 190, then bigger throttle body, clean up the maf, 24-26 pound injectors, sit back and let er rip
just for reliability's sake
just for reliability's sake
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
The ZZ4 won't get you where you want to go with TPI. I think a 383 with a good cam will be a better choice.
You might look at something like Jegs 383 405HP Blueprint engine. $3100.
You might look at something like Jegs 383 405HP Blueprint engine. $3100.
Last edited by BADDUCK; Apr 25, 2007 at 08:04 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 9
From: '88 TPI L98/HotCam Powell, Ohio
I agree w/ the above posts. A 383 is the cheaper way to get the numbers you want. I'm in the process of building a L98 replacement block(poor mans ZZ4) w/ ported Tpis 113's, Bigmouth/ Accel runners / Hotcam/ headers.... Give me 3 weeks and I'll have some dyno #'s for you. I will be happy if it makes 300 rwhp and 370 rwtq.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
Hot Cam - with a modified TPI?
What final drive ratio will be used? Have you recorded RPM's at the
track(s), what is the principal operating range?
Not of interest to everyone, but HT383 cam - Prospect for L98 auto
What final drive ratio will be used? Have you recorded RPM's at the
track(s), what is the principal operating range?
Not of interest to everyone, but HT383 cam - Prospect for L98 auto
GM #14097395 (HT383)
Duration: 196°/206°
Lobe Sep: 109º
Lift 1.5: 0.431"/0.451"
.
Duration: 196°/206°
Lobe Sep: 109º
Lift 1.5: 0.431"/0.451"
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 9
From: '88 TPI L98/HotCam Powell, Ohio
Hot Cam - with a modified TPI?
What final drive ratio will be used? Have you recorded RPM's at the
track(s), what is the principal operating range?
Not of interest to everyone, but HT383 cam - Prospect for L98 auto
What final drive ratio will be used? Have you recorded RPM's at the
track(s), what is the principal operating range?
Not of interest to everyone, but HT383 cam - Prospect for L98 auto
GM #14097395 (HT383)
Duration: 196°/206°
Lobe Sep: 109º
Lift 1.5: 0.431"/0.451"
.Duration: 196°/206°
Lobe Sep: 109º
Lift 1.5: 0.431"/0.451"
I was waiting for someone to question the cam. I found a great deal on it so I am going to experiment for the remainder of the year. I haven't even started the car w/ the Big Mouth setup and I'm already making plans for a different intake. 
I still have my stock cam to try out w/ my 1.6 I/1.65 E roockers if the Hotcam is a total flop.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
Test 1 below
Consider that the smaller displacement of the 350 will have the effect
of moving the TQ/HP numbers up the RPM range - say 300-400 RPM
for sake of arguement. If so, this puts the Hot Cam peaks for TQ/HP
at 4,100/5,900 RPM. However, for the HT383 cam, the peaks would
land at around 3,600/5,100 based on the same assumption.
3,600/5,100 is still a bit high for a TPI, but this beats 4,100/5,900.
HT383 Results
.
HT383 w/ GMPP dual-plane, 650CFM w/ Vac-2ndary, 1.6:1 RR,
Hedman 1-5/8" headers and FULL DUAL EXHAUST through 2-1/2"
DynoMax Ultra-Flo mufflers.
Test 2 - Added Hot Cam & switched to Borla XR-1 2-1/2" mufflersHedman 1-5/8" headers and FULL DUAL EXHAUST through 2-1/2"
DynoMax Ultra-Flo mufflers.
Consider that the smaller displacement of the 350 will have the effect
of moving the TQ/HP numbers up the RPM range - say 300-400 RPM
for sake of arguement. If so, this puts the Hot Cam peaks for TQ/HP
at 4,100/5,900 RPM. However, for the HT383 cam, the peaks would
land at around 3,600/5,100 based on the same assumption.
3,600/5,100 is still a bit high for a TPI, but this beats 4,100/5,900.
HT383 Results
.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 9
From: '88 TPI L98/HotCam Powell, Ohio
Thanks for the link. With my 3.07 the lowest I see on the "main" track is ~3200 rpm. I might need to bump up to the 3.54's and / or HSR if needed. Sorry about the hijack. 
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 9
From: '88 TPI L98/HotCam Powell, Ohio
With that engine I'm not planning on going over 5800. In a perfect world my original motor will become a splayed 4 bolt / forged 369 that's capable of 7000 rpms. I just need that lucky lotto ticket. 
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 91
From: Leander TX
Thanks for all the replies. What kind of power do you think the l-98 short block combo would make. I'm really just looking for a car that has the potential of high 12's to low 13's. Car's an auto with 3:07 gears.
Would I still need the 383 to make it to this range?
I really don't race so more than this would be overkill for me and it wouldn't be worth putting a lot of money in something I would never use the full potential of.
Would I still need the 383 to make it to this range?
I really don't race so more than this would be overkill for me and it wouldn't be worth putting a lot of money in something I would never use the full potential of.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 9
From: '88 TPI L98/HotCam Powell, Ohio
This is a link from Vaders site: (test 3 close to my setup)
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...58/index4.html
If you just want a little more power and your bottom end is ok then put some cheaper (price not quality) heads on and a mild cam and be done with it.
The reason most go with the 383 vs 350/355 when rebuilding is that it truly is only another 100 bucks or so if that, Hard to beat imo. I'm stuck w/ class rules so 350 for me.
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...58/index4.html
If you just want a little more power and your bottom end is ok then put some cheaper (price not quality) heads on and a mild cam and be done with it.
The reason most go with the 383 vs 350/355 when rebuilding is that it truly is only another 100 bucks or so if that, Hard to beat imo. I'm stuck w/ class rules so 350 for me.
