L98 MINIRAM SYSTEM
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 765
Likes: 11
Cruise-In I Veteran
Re: L98 MINIRAM SYSTEM (Micky T)
I don't have any hard numbers, but from what I've heard, a STOCK L98 with a mini-ram increases your upper RPM hp abit, but you lose quite alot of low RPM torque, thus making you FEEL like you've lost alot of power. You really need a good cam, bigger TB, bigger injectors, a better ignition system, and a chip designed for a mini-ram to make it worthwile.
Maybe someone will chime in and tell you their story. Good luck.
Maybe someone will chime in and tell you their story. Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 46
From: Elizabeth City, NC
Re: L98 MINIRAM SYSTEM (lowflyer)
At best you could get huge gains from a cam along with the miniram. The stock one is matched pretty well to the long runner style TPI. Its power curve rapidly falls off above 5K. But even with just the Miniram by itself you would probably pick up 20-30 hp up high.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,097
Likes: 1,724
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: L98 MINIRAM SYSTEM (LPDesRoche)
yeah you need a cam with it, then you get some SERIOUS hp numbers, like over 350-400hp
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,009
Likes: 1
From: Springfield MO
Re: L98 MINIRAM SYSTEM (vader86)
yeah you need a cam with it, then you get some SERIOUS hp numbers, like over 350-400hp
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,009
Likes: 1
From: Springfield MO
Re: L98 MINIRAM SYSTEM (Micky T)
stock torque off my head is 350 i think.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
From: Moss Point Ms.
Re: L98 MINIRAM SYSTEM (Micky T)
Every comment has been correct. You DON"T want to put on a miniram without some other major mod's. You need better heads than stock, better cam, throttle body, etc. You will still probably lose a little on the low end, but it will make up for it on the high end. Check my sig. Since I have a 383 I didn't lose anything anywhere but it ain't cheap. With some traction I'll be in the high 11's, then with a little shot of NOS I should be in the low 10's if I can find some tires that won't spin. :D :flag
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,130
Likes: 7
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: (john25)
Johns right,
TPIS emailed me some time ago when I was interested in the miniram.With an automatic car,they suggest a 2800 stall converter for the automatics and a 3.73 rear gear.
Its kinda strange most people put down the Mini ram but never drove one with matching drive trains.The mini ram isnt that much more radical in design compared to the LT1 intake manifold.A stock aluminum head L98 motor should see a 45-50 HP gain at the flywheel with a mini ram,and hey thats what the LT1 engine has, around 300 HP at the flywheel.
I cant imagine torque is going to suffer that much with those mods,unless you dont upgrade the coverter and gears.With a stick, you can have fun spinning the engine to valve float.
:)
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
From: Moss Point Ms.
Re: (Bill's86Coupe)
Yes you will pick up h.p. with the miniram but it will be all top end. Without a cam change you won't be able to turn enough RPM's to use that power in the upper range and the stock heads will be a big bottleneck. There's no use putting a miniram on an engine unless you do all the other things that it takes to help the motor make use of it. It's sorta like putting a Holley 750 double pumper and a tarantula intake on a volkswagon engine. Not knocking VW's either, I use to work on them and had one that would outrun any stock 289/327 at the time.
Just my .02. :D
Lowflyer: You don't have to change injectors or ignition systems, as a matter of fact, TPIS does NOT recommend bigger injectors, just that the ones you have are working well and you can increase the fuel pressure. I think anyone interested in making the most with their vette will already have an MSD, that's all you need.
[Modified by ham, 3:18 PM 1/19/2002]
Just my .02. :D
Lowflyer: You don't have to change injectors or ignition systems, as a matter of fact, TPIS does NOT recommend bigger injectors, just that the ones you have are working well and you can increase the fuel pressure. I think anyone interested in making the most with their vette will already have an MSD, that's all you need.
[Modified by ham, 3:18 PM 1/19/2002]
Racer
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 467
Likes: 1
From: Lufkin tx
Re: L98 MINIRAM SYSTEM (Micky T)
Dont believe everything you hear about how the MiniRam sucks down low. I run a miniram on my 383 and it is great. Back in September, we installed one on a stock 92 TPI camaro 350 automatic. I have the dyno sheets in hand from before and after. Here are some numbers from each setup:
TPI max torque 309.8 @3700rpm Miniram@3700rpm 308.2tq
TPI max Hp 230.1@4450rpm Miniram@4450rpm 242hp
Miniram max hp 253.8@4800-5200rpm (flat) TPI@5200rpm 195hp
Miniram max tq 308.2@3650rpm TPI@3650rpm 285tq
We were unable to test the car below 3000rpm due to it kicking back to second gear. The car is quicker now by a couple of tenths.
TPI max torque 309.8 @3700rpm Miniram@3700rpm 308.2tq
TPI max Hp 230.1@4450rpm Miniram@4450rpm 242hp
Miniram max hp 253.8@4800-5200rpm (flat) TPI@5200rpm 195hp
Miniram max tq 308.2@3650rpm TPI@3650rpm 285tq
We were unable to test the car below 3000rpm due to it kicking back to second gear. The car is quicker now by a couple of tenths.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 4,724
Likes: 16
From: Little Elm TX
Re: L98 MINIRAM SYSTEM (Micky T)
Go ahead and do it and report back to us your results.... hit the dragstrip beforehand a couple of times to get an accurate baseline, and then change to the MR and hit the dragstrip a few times. An accurate before and after test would prove to be very, very educational for yourself and everybody else on the forum.
My personal opinion.... anytime somebody asks me should I replace the stock tpi set-up with an aftermarket set-up, my answer is a resounding "Yes !!! "...... however, with no other changes I doubt if you run much quicker unless you go to a looser converter. But the MR is a GREAT intake for going to the next step which is internal engine modifications.... they will all reap wonderful rewards with the MR in place.
Butttt.... I dunno, I'm just guessing, never heard of anybody doing it with no other changes on a stock TPI motor.
Good Luck :)
Beach Bum
My personal opinion.... anytime somebody asks me should I replace the stock tpi set-up with an aftermarket set-up, my answer is a resounding "Yes !!! "...... however, with no other changes I doubt if you run much quicker unless you go to a looser converter. But the MR is a GREAT intake for going to the next step which is internal engine modifications.... they will all reap wonderful rewards with the MR in place.
Butttt.... I dunno, I'm just guessing, never heard of anybody doing it with no other changes on a stock TPI motor.
Good Luck :)
Beach Bum
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 0
From: Big D Tx
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: L98 MINIRAM SYSTEM
the mini ram is a good manifold. its just expensive as all get out. sticking it on a stock engine, you will see a good gain from it. your car will make usable power from 4500-5200 instead of falling on its face at ~4600. if you have an 89-91 with a six speed, put in some 4.10's and a mini ram, and you will have a quick car. then just slap in a LT4 Hot Cam or bigger with an upgraded valvetrain and it will pull to 6500
Racer
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 467
Likes: 1
From: Lufkin tx
Re: L98 MINIRAM SYSTEM
By the way, the results I posted were on the same car, same dyno and the ONLY change was the Intake. I dont have a scanner, but I will work on getting the graphs scanned so everyone can see them.
