I will be pulling the covers off my 87 for seals and will also be pulling the intake. While the intake is off I am going to port it out (just remove restrictions and smooth the flow).

Want some opinions on dropping on a set of 1.6's while I have the covers off for seals. I see conflicting opinions of usefullness. From my own past experience (all carb'd 350's) I can see an advantage on my setup, but don't have experience with these TPI's at all.

Only mods on car are a K&N, air foil, 2.5" Pypes system from engine back (no cats) and the engine is running a 90 intake and 91 ecu with MAP.

Some year down the road it will see a mild cam and porting of the heads but not for now. I been around the small block game for years and have no expectations of making this machine pop 500hp, just want to wake it up a bit

Most interested in owners that have installed 1.6's as you're the guys that know the real answer!

Greg

 

Go for it. It will add 8-10 HP. Your engine will also run 8-10 degrees cooler. I speak from personal experience.

 

thankyou, I've been wondering also.

 

Hi Greg
I would do it, just be sure the valves and springs are in good shape
when you put in the seals. You might need to remove the drip tabs
if you have stock rocker covers. Do one at a time and it's a easy
and good up grade.
Take Care
Brian

 

If you have the intake off, you are a timing cover away from accessing the camshaft. For the same money as the rocker arms, a new camshaft will give you more hp. My .02. Willie

 

A cam swap will add more power even with stock heads. But it is more work. But with the intake off, alot of the work for a cam swap is already being done. 1.6 roller rockers are probably worth 10 hp as mentioned. But if you do a cam swap you will probably need to upgrade the valve springs.

 

Dont fall into the same pit I did.

My 85 ran okay and started off suffering from a bad intake gasket and as a result it used oil. I removed the plenum, runners, etc..then the intake, and said...you know, Im right here at the timing chain, might as well replace it. Then I said...well I might as well replace the cam. Then Isaid..no sense replacing the cam with stock heads as they are so restrictive on an 85.

Then I got to thinking...no sense adding a cam with the TPI as it wont rev, so I might as well port it all out...then I got to thinking about how it would be making more power but on a stock bottom end...not good.

So I pulled the engine..and planned on freshening it up with new heads, pistons, and rings..cam, roller rockers...

Then I got to thinking, its a 2 bolt main block, what if it broke..and If Im replacing the bottom end, why not go 383?

So then I had plans of buying a 383 prepped block and building it up, custom TPI, etc..

Now...a year later, Im looking at Crate engines and Dual Quad carburetors...

 

I would do it. My car had them on there when it was stock and ran good.

 

And Im sure your not done yet.....WW

 

Greg
You can see from the comments once you start there is no turning back. I started with a 1.6 rocker change and now have a spare 350,383, 406 and a new Dart 421 in the car now.
Just to warn you.
Brian

 

Thanks for all the replies guys.

383vette, 'just a timing cover away and same cost'?
Umm, just a rad and ton of other stuff away and at less than $200 for rockers and over $400 for just a cam (shipped/taxed) plus more gaskets plus springs plus a new chain, no, not same cost.

I'm not worried about the addiction, it's there anyway This will be the 7th small block in 30 years, just the first that didn't have a Holley on top of it. Either way, no interest in going full bore on this project, much experience in past has taught me the cost to add HP is only 1/2 it. My last car (long time ago now) was a 78 Z28 that I built to about 425hp, stupid useless HP really to drive but was fun none the less. Even after going to a Muncie and pampering the diff 2 things happened. I cheaped out and didn't build up the body, actually broke a windshield from the twist in 2nd (hood would lift about 2" on one corner if 2nd didn't break tires loose) and later, after saving $100 on a rev limiter, put 2 rods out the drivers side when I missed a shift..


Anyway, great info but the more I research it the more lost this stupid little engine is making me. I see conflicting answers on self aligning or not in 87 and conflicting answers on cover clearance (not just drippers).

Either way, enough feedback here I will go with 1.6's if I can find a set I can be assured do fit my minor mods.

Greg

 

Why would anyone take a giant step back and put carbs back on ? I had a 67 Camaro with a 400 small block with a holley 650 double pumper and it was such a pita. I hope I never have a car or bike with carbs again.

 

huh? who's putting a carb on this?

 

New seals and springs for sure.

 

Personally, I love the 1.6 rocker swap. Lift is what makes HP. The intake porting helps as well. You may want to add 2-4 degrees of timing.
Fwiw - I have later model heads and I'm running non self aligning rockers.

 

Did the same thing But mine was Burning oil

 

I used the 1.6 roller tip rockers. they are cheap, reliable and no mods needed. car gained all around power. A good way for budget HP

 

Do it .. And because you are running SD I would also have someone do a tune for you (custom chip).

 

I seem to have a small problem getting a tune. PO had Venom (by Python) injectors installed about a year ago, even had to call the manufacturer to verify it, but they don't put any model number stamps on their products. Now that they're in there is no way to find out what flow they are! I assume 24's but could be 21 or 26 too.. Stupid, certainly won't be a name I'd use seeing that.

Greg

 

Send them to FIC for cleaning and he can tell you what they flow. Is there really no part # on them? I bet they are stock FP otherwise you would be running rich.