Doug Rippie "TOP END KIT"
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: San Diego CA
Cruise-In III Veteran
Doug Rippie "TOP END KIT"
I'm getting ready to spend quite a bit on my LT4 for modifications (Cam, Heads, exhaust, etc.) and stumbled across DRM's LT4 "Top end Kit" on their website. The kit consists of:
350 cubic inches - Ported cylinder heads - High flow stainless valves - Performance valve springs - Titanium spring retainers - Chrome moly pushrods - 1.6 intake and 1.5 exhaust - roller rocker arms - DRM hydraulic roller camshaft - High performance timing set - 52mm throttle body - K&N air filter - Modified air filter lid - High volume fuel pump - Adjustable fuel pressure regulator - Stainless exhaust manifolds - and Custom computer calibration.
DRM rates the kit at 410 HP/375 ft-lbs. torque. That of course is only 80hp more than my stock LT4 produces. The kit costs $6000!!! That's $75/per HP. Ive heard the stage II heads/cam kit Chris sells at Speed Demon will produce WAY more than that, and the cost is less than HALF of DRM's!
Is there something I'm missing here? Just curious before I make such a big investment. If not, I'll be giving you a call soon Chris.
Thanks. :chevy
350 cubic inches - Ported cylinder heads - High flow stainless valves - Performance valve springs - Titanium spring retainers - Chrome moly pushrods - 1.6 intake and 1.5 exhaust - roller rocker arms - DRM hydraulic roller camshaft - High performance timing set - 52mm throttle body - K&N air filter - Modified air filter lid - High volume fuel pump - Adjustable fuel pressure regulator - Stainless exhaust manifolds - and Custom computer calibration.
DRM rates the kit at 410 HP/375 ft-lbs. torque. That of course is only 80hp more than my stock LT4 produces. The kit costs $6000!!! That's $75/per HP. Ive heard the stage II heads/cam kit Chris sells at Speed Demon will produce WAY more than that, and the cost is less than HALF of DRM's!
Is there something I'm missing here? Just curious before I make such a big investment. If not, I'll be giving you a call soon Chris.
Thanks. :chevy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 7,836
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From: Global Warming My Butt
Re: Doug Rippie "TOP END KIT" (365ZUM)
Well...all I can say to that is...watch this little video I did about a month ago...
Both cars have a top end kit (both produce about the exact same HP).
http://share.videowave.com/play/?cli...300F75A6AD710C
Both cars have a top end kit (both produce about the exact same HP).
http://share.videowave.com/play/?cli...300F75A6AD710C
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
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From: Boston, MA
Re: Doug Rippie "TOP END KIT" (365ZUM)
Is there something I'm missing here? Just curious before I make such a big investment. If not, I'll be giving you a call soon Chris.
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
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From: No more yankee my wankee, the Donger is tired!
Re: Doug Rippie "TOP END KIT" (scorp508)
His name is worht it. All his work is quality. Chris Lester just had a 368 done on his 94 ZR-1. Everything works flawlessly and has had no problems. Rippie delivers what is advertised. While your car is there, toss a little more money and get some suspension and radiator work done too.
As far as the video, that would have to be more driver related if both cars are putting down the same HP.
As far as the video, that would have to be more driver related if both cars are putting down the same HP.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,230
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From: VA
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Doug Rippie "TOP END KIT" (365ZUM)
80HP more than your stock LT4?. Guess you forgot the LT4's push a little more than the advertised 330HP. TRy like 350-360HP on average. That 410HP is only 50HP more. That's alot of $$$ for only 50HP. :crazy: :yesnod:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
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Re: Doug Rippie "TOP END KIT" (365ZUM)
DRM does exactly what most Vette vendors will do... Multiply what a reasonable price would be by two times!! I do not disagree that they do good work. But good work can be done for much less! I put together my own "top end" package and everything else for much much less. I turned every nut and bolt myself and have put many thousand miles on the car without any problems whatsoever. I'm a firm believer that if they can do it... I can do it! It might take a little longer because I don't do it everyday, but the self satisfaction and pride is worth the dollar savings alone. Sure I cussed and busted a couple knuckles, but I saved a ton of money! My advice? Stay with a reputable local shop if you can't do it yourself. Do the parts shopping yourself from Summit, AFR and other non typical Vette vendors and you can save a ton of dough!
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
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From: No more yankee my wankee, the Donger is tired!
Re: Doug Rippie "TOP END KIT" (EricVonHa)
Mr joe blow garage probably only offers a warranty on labor. Rippie offers a warranty on parts and labor. That's where the tuner guys come into play. DRM, LPE, and Callaway all offer warranties on their work.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: San Diego CA
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Doug Rippie "TOP END KIT" (Jeffvette)
Just checked Lingenfelter's site: 415 BHP / 385 lbs-ft of torque
$9,100.00!!!
That's $3000 more than the DRM's! With the SAME horsepower rating!! :confused:
$9,100.00!!!
That's $3000 more than the DRM's! With the SAME horsepower rating!! :confused:
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 456
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Re: Doug Rippie "TOP END KIT" (365ZUM)
Gimme a break! No question that they do great work(for that price they ought to do more than that ;) ). Definately shop around for parts and labor- I think you can beat that by a few thousand dollars. Try More Performance out of Charlotte(WWW.Moreperformance.inc). Also, you can get a lot of free info right here on the forum. I have less than half of the $$$ that DRM wants for his top end package and he is no where close to my numbers. As stated earlier, you do get a warranty for your money- no matter what it costs. Good luck.
Team Owner
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From: Former NCM Drag Racing coordinator, National director Corvette Challenge Spring Hill, Tennessee: Whiting, New Jersey
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Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Doug Rippie "TOP END KIT" (365ZUM)
[QUOTE
DRM rates the kit at 410 HP/375 ft-lbs. torque. [/QUOTE]
Now is that RWHP or FWHP?????
DRM rates the kit at 410 HP/375 ft-lbs. torque. [/QUOTE]
Now is that RWHP or FWHP?????
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
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From: No more yankee my wankee, the Donger is tired!
Re: Doug Rippie "TOP END KIT" (Dr. Doom)
They rate theirs at the crank like everybody else does.
http://www.moreperformanceinc.com is the correct link.
And looking at their site,
So the price is roughly the same. All of DRM prices include labor
http://www.moreperformanceinc.com is the correct link.
And looking at their site,
Prices do not include tax or labor if installed by More Performance
*Header prices are additional depending on application
*Header prices are additional depending on application
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 3,891
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From: Houston, TX
Re: Doug Rippie "TOP END KIT" (365ZUM)
Well, you know where my vote goes!!! :) :) We offer the BEST heads on the market right now. I am very confident of that! :)
Give us a little while longer and you will be reading about us and seeing us on the cover of magazines!!! ;)
Let me know if I can give you any more information.
Give us a little while longer and you will be reading about us and seeing us on the cover of magazines!!! ;)
Let me know if I can give you any more information.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Buy USA products! Check the label! Employ Americans
Re: Doug Rippie "TOP END KIT" (2FST4U)
The DRM motor will put out more than 410. You are getting a warranty that they do stand behind. Some turners don't like to claim the max. I think everyone apples to apples is about the same give or take a few hundred. Sure you can do it yourself cheaper and it's fun but not everyone will feel confident turning the key to start it the first time. Make sure every thing is the same.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 3,891
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From: Houston, TX
Re: Doug Rippie "TOP END KIT" (John Shiels)
The DRM motor will put out more than 410. You are getting a warranty that they do stand behind. Some turners don't like to claim the max. I think everyone apples to apples is about the same give or take a few hundred. Sure you can do it yourself cheaper and it's fun but not everyone will feel confident turning the key to start it the first time. Make sure every thing is the same.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
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Re: Doug Rippie "TOP END KIT" (Jeffvette)
Excuse me.
:blueangel:
They rate theirs at the crank like everybody else does.
http://www.moreperformanceinc.com is the correct link.
And looking at their site, Prices do not include tax or labor if installed by More Performance
*Header prices are additional depending on application
So the price is roughly the same. All of DRM prices include labor
http://www.moreperformanceinc.com is the correct link.
And looking at their site, Prices do not include tax or labor if installed by More Performance
*Header prices are additional depending on application
So the price is roughly the same. All of DRM prices include labor
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,620
Likes: 2
From: Hillsboro OR
Re: Doug Rippie "TOP END KIT" (365ZUM)
Lets break this down to price per part:
Ported cylinder heads...................2000
Chrome moly pushrods....................80
8 1.5 roller rocker arms..................125 (This is unnecessary with right cam)
DRM hydraulic roller camshaft.........275
High performance timing set...........200 (depends on set)
52mm throttle body......................300*
K&N air filter.................................. .50
Modified air filter lid.........................20
High volume fuel pump..................135
Adjustable fuel pressure regulator..100*
Stainless exhaust manifolds...........400*
Custom computer calibration..........350
Total for parts.............................4035
* IMHO this stuff is a waste of money.
Jim Pace GM performance (www.paceparts.com) states that the LT1 to LT4 conversion kit bumps the LT1 to 425 hp for 2100. If you have an LT4, you only need the LT4 camshaft to get to 425 hp plus tuning. Figure 175 + 350 = 525. So why bother will all the other stuff and the extra expense and work of installing it ?
Ported cylinder heads...................2000
Chrome moly pushrods....................80
8 1.5 roller rocker arms..................125 (This is unnecessary with right cam)
DRM hydraulic roller camshaft.........275
High performance timing set...........200 (depends on set)
52mm throttle body......................300*
K&N air filter.................................. .50
Modified air filter lid.........................20
High volume fuel pump..................135
Adjustable fuel pressure regulator..100*
Stainless exhaust manifolds...........400*
Custom computer calibration..........350
Total for parts.............................4035
* IMHO this stuff is a waste of money.
Jim Pace GM performance (www.paceparts.com) states that the LT1 to LT4 conversion kit bumps the LT1 to 425 hp for 2100. If you have an LT4, you only need the LT4 camshaft to get to 425 hp plus tuning. Figure 175 + 350 = 525. So why bother will all the other stuff and the extra expense and work of installing it ?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 7,836
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From: Global Warming My Butt
Re: Doug Rippie "TOP END KIT" (Jeffvette)
As far as the video, that would have to be more driver related if both cars are putting down the same HP.
Very true...HP was about the same and they all topped out at roughly the same speed.
I had my Corsa's put on at DRM...and they were a great bunch of guys...and believe me, part of the price is all the extra time they take to make sure it's perfect before it rolls out of the shop...
Mike put on my exhaust, and probably spent 1 hour just lining everything up to make sure the spacing and how much the tips stuck out was perfectly even...even making sure the pipes were clamped in the same spots.
He just replied..."Vette owners are picky and we understand that...so are we" :D
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 131
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From: Minnesota
Re: Doug Rippie "TOP END KIT" (MinnesotaWhite)
Lets see 4000 for parts 2000 for labor i think its worth the labor especially on youre precious vette knowin that a very well respected tuner as drm would be working on everything and making sure everything is stretable and reliable.
There close to me and i want that top end package to :) ...Im the type id hate to get the motor touched because of the low miles so i might do a torq converter and gears for half as much and get the same performance as the top end kit. If i did top end kit plus gears and converter id really be flying :)
[Modified by 93aquaConvert, 7:58 AM 11/4/2001]
There close to me and i want that top end package to :) ...Im the type id hate to get the motor touched because of the low miles so i might do a torq converter and gears for half as much and get the same performance as the top end kit. If i did top end kit plus gears and converter id really be flying :)
[Modified by 93aquaConvert, 7:58 AM 11/4/2001]
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,870
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From: Long Island, NY
Re: Doug Rippie "TOP END KIT" (93aquaConvert)
Lets see 4000 for parts 2000 for labor i think its worth the labor especially on youre precious vette knowin that a very well respected tuner as drm would be working on everything and making sure everything is stretable and reliable.
Vic