85 Engine upgrade (pictorial)
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 341
From: Adelaide South Australia
I had a thread on general discussion "consumer advice needed" but to cut a long story short, I was looking at heads on Summit site, saw Edelbrock heads for $930 a pair, I thought what a bargain so after checking out the heads ordered them, well only 1 turned up, I sent them an email, they sd sorry it was a typo error on the description its supposed to be each.
well after some emails and phone calls they refused to do anything other than sell me the other one with some discount (but not too much !) they had me over a barrel, I had one head i couldnt use, or one head i couldnt sell, or one head i couldnt send back because of the cost (summit refused to let me use their account to send it back)
well after some emails and phone calls they refused to do anything other than sell me the other one with some discount (but not too much !) they had me over a barrel, I had one head i couldnt use, or one head i couldnt sell, or one head i couldnt send back because of the cost (summit refused to let me use their account to send it back)
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 2
From: Perth Western Australia
St. Jude Donor '10
I had a thread on general discussion "consumer advice needed" but to cut a long story short, I was looking at heads on Summit site, saw Edelbrock heads for $930 a pair, I thought what a bargain so after checking out the heads ordered them, well only 1 turned up, I sent them an email, they sd sorry it was a typo error on the description its supposed to be each.
well after some emails and phone calls they refused to do anything other than sell me the other one with some discount (but not too much !) they had me over a barrel, I had one head i couldnt use, or one head i couldnt sell, or one head i couldnt send back because of the cost (summit refused to let me use their account to send it back)
well after some emails and phone calls they refused to do anything other than sell me the other one with some discount (but not too much !) they had me over a barrel, I had one head i couldnt use, or one head i couldnt sell, or one head i couldnt send back because of the cost (summit refused to let me use their account to send it back)
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 341
From: Adelaide South Australia
I have been busy with the rebuild and havent posted any further pics so I guess I better now that its finished and running ! 
for the people who are interested, these are the trw forged flat tops originally fitted to the '85 engine
With the Edelbrock CNC 185 heads bolted up
now the engines coming together, new water pump, front gear (a/c, radiator etc) back on, inlet manifold has been port matched to heads and slp runners and sandblasted, egr deleted, dizzy back in ready for injection to go on, rockers and covers back on,
ok, finished polishing the plenum and runners, they arent 100% done but ran out of time (had a club run deadline to meet) ran the cam and lifters in, Mallory 50,000 volt coil in (after 3 attempts to make it fit !) all injection etc back in, port matched exhaust headers and gaskets and back in,
will update later on how she runs !
for the people who are interested, these are the trw forged flat tops originally fitted to the '85 engine
With the Edelbrock CNC 185 heads bolted up
now the engines coming together, new water pump, front gear (a/c, radiator etc) back on, inlet manifold has been port matched to heads and slp runners and sandblasted, egr deleted, dizzy back in ready for injection to go on, rockers and covers back on,
ok, finished polishing the plenum and runners, they arent 100% done but ran out of time (had a club run deadline to meet) ran the cam and lifters in, Mallory 50,000 volt coil in (after 3 attempts to make it fit !) all injection etc back in, port matched exhaust headers and gaskets and back in,
will update later on how she runs !
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 341
From: Adelaide South Australia
Thanks Lemme,
I have got the Compcams 1.6 roller tips in there, fit fine, i guess its the lock nuts that cause the problems with the standard covers,
how is your engine build going ?
I have got the Compcams 1.6 roller tips in there, fit fine, i guess its the lock nuts that cause the problems with the standard covers,
how is your engine build going ?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,704
Likes: 8
Hi Blackoz your modds are in perfect target with my wish list,i own an 85 like you and i want go straight like you've done,particulaly with porting work and SLP choice,just a question, do you retune your old 870 ECM ,do you upgrade injectors flow rate? do you maintain MAF set up or go with an aftermarket SD EFI,I think your hardware modds require a retune... anyway good job guy,very fine your dressing work too
Last edited by tunedport85inject; Oct 15, 2011 at 09:45 AM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 341
From: Adelaide South Australia
Hi tuneport85, i have not replaced the computer chip, the car runs well and the mileage is good, what it really needs first is a 3000 rpm stall converter to make it run better. With the standard converter it locks up at 1500 and its like going from 1st to 4th in a manual car !
My tuner fiddled with the timing and TB and it was idling between 500 and 800 rpm, but still pulled hard off idle, it actually improved a lot when i put the Mallory coil on, it idles much better after that one change.
He recommends doing the torque converter before the chip. After reading some of the converter threads on the forum people say its the biggest change you can make to liven up the l98 after engine mods.
The injectors are bosch 3 from FIC, in the standard 24lb for an 85. Also standard MAF.
People say that sticking with 24lb injectors and not going too big on the cam will work with the early computer and MAF as they are very forgiving and I must say its worked on my engine. Im sure that a new chip will help but I have to find $650 for the converter first.
My tuner fiddled with the timing and TB and it was idling between 500 and 800 rpm, but still pulled hard off idle, it actually improved a lot when i put the Mallory coil on, it idles much better after that one change.
He recommends doing the torque converter before the chip. After reading some of the converter threads on the forum people say its the biggest change you can make to liven up the l98 after engine mods.
The injectors are bosch 3 from FIC, in the standard 24lb for an 85. Also standard MAF.
People say that sticking with 24lb injectors and not going too big on the cam will work with the early computer and MAF as they are very forgiving and I must say its worked on my engine. Im sure that a new chip will help but I have to find $650 for the converter first.
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,704
Likes: 8
3000 rpm stall!sorry Blackoz i'm still learning about engine modds,but i was thinking 3000 stall was for hi performance stroker engine, as displacement do you run a stock 350? is your Lunati cam an hi rpm band that need that converter ?For sure i'm missing something basic... Again another question :how much do you plan to raise rev limit with this set up? is this car streetable with a bigger converter?sorry guy for all my questions,thanks
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 2
From: Perth Western Australia
St. Jude Donor '10
My 84 decided to have a alt/ps pump bracket failure and an alternator failure in the meantime which has also distracted me.
Drag season has also just started so I had to get the racecar ready too. Took it down friday night and came back with another list of issues to rectify. Leaking brake caliper, throttle issues, NOS not coming in when it should, racecar too low for trailer ...
Not to mention I just went to Bathurst last weekend. It is a tough life I know but someone has to do it.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 341
From: Adelaide South Australia
3000 rpm stall!sorry Blackoz i'm still learning about engine modds,but i was thinking 3000 stall was for hi performance stroker engine, as displacement do you run a stock 350? is your Lunati cam an hi rpm band that need that converter ?For sure i'm missing something basic... Again another question :how much do you plan to raise rev limit with this set up? is this car streetable with a bigger converter?sorry guy for all my questions,thanks
my tuner (and i know him personally) really knows his stuff, he used to sponsor me when i raced speedway and he has been doing performance stuff for years. he had a guy come to him recently who had an engine built by someone else and he was dissapointed, he drove the car, realised it still had the standard converter in it, changed it to a 3200 stall and it completely changed the car, the customer was very happy after that.
the lunati cam is a 500/520 lift with the 1.6 rockers, so its not a big cam, selected it to work between 1500 and 5500 using the tpi, so by using a converter around 3000 its in the middle of its power when it locks up,
also read some of the converter manufacturer websites, they give ideas of stall needed based on duration of camshaft used.
hope this helps tuneport85
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,973
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From: Adelaide South Australia
g'day Lemme, a vette, a dragcar, an engine build and a trip to Bathurst, either you have an understanding woman or no woman, I dont know too many women that would allow that much fun to be had in a mans life !! 
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 2
From: Perth Western Australia
St. Jude Donor '10
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Hi good to see it is getting around, i have a modified chip for my 85.
It does say it avoids converter lock up till higher rpm, doesn't say what rpm LOL
but that it improves drivability.
When i could not get it running properly (was a bad injector connector)
i had the vette checked with a scanner it may have wiped the performance chip, i am not sure how to check that. It could have been the right chip for you.
It did say on the box to remove the chip before taking it for a service
but i forgot about it until after the tune.
Well sorry to hear of your problems with the heads! I will make sure to get help from our forum mates in the USA before buying any.
The intercoolled vortech blower is still running great
been 3 or 4 years and have not blown the motor ...... they just build them too damn tough hey
The same cannot be said about these #@$^!$&! aluminum half shafts (i have twisted 2 so far)
Keep up the good work
It does say it avoids converter lock up till higher rpm, doesn't say what rpm LOL
but that it improves drivability.When i could not get it running properly (was a bad injector connector)
i had the vette checked with a scanner it may have wiped the performance chip, i am not sure how to check that. It could have been the right chip for you.
It did say on the box to remove the chip before taking it for a service
but i forgot about it until after the tune.Well sorry to hear of your problems with the heads! I will make sure to get help from our forum mates in the USA before buying any.
The intercoolled vortech blower is still running great
been 3 or 4 years and have not blown the motor ...... they just build them too damn tough hey
The same cannot be said about these #@$^!$&! aluminum half shafts (i have twisted 2 so far
)Keep up the good work
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,704
Likes: 8
Thanks Blackoz,i understand ,converter is an important part connected to power band and rpm peek,but knowing a TPI as a low torque band and and effective rpm range about 5000 rpm probably a would say max 2000- 2300 stall,thanks guy good advices,enjoy your car and have fun
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 2
From: Perth Western Australia
St. Jude Donor '10
Thanks Blackoz,i understand ,converter is an important part connected to power band and rpm peek,but knowing a TPI as a low torque band and and effective rpm range about 5000 rpm probably a would say max 2000- 2300 stall,thanks guy good advices,enjoy your car and have fun
If you do a head, cam and intake swap then the power band will shift upwards and the convertors' stall will definitely need raising.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 341
From: Adelaide South Australia
hi Gerard, if you didnt have so much horsepower you wouldnt be twisting those half shafts ! thats interesting about the chip, I didnt know you could wipe them if they are plugged into a tuneup machine !
Lemme, it sounds like your experience backs up the theory, 3000 stall sounds like the way to go !
thats interesting about the chip, I didnt know you could wipe them if they are plugged into a tuneup machine !Lemme, it sounds like your experience backs up the theory, 3000 stall sounds like the way to go !
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,408
Likes: 13
From: Dayton, Ohio
I came across this thread while searching for Superram porting info. When I read how you'd been decieved on the 1st set of heads, I got upset as always when I read about that sort of thing. Then when you told of how Summit treated you on the purchase of the other heads, I got very angry. There's no excuse for treating people that way. I hope this doesn't ruin your view on Americans. There are quite a few of us that care more for our reputation than for a few extra dollars. From my experiences here on the Forum, that holds true for the folks you'll meet here as well. Best of luck with your Vette, put up some pictures when you get it done.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 76
From: Santa Maria, CA
I noticed on the build that the engine is still fitted with the stock exhaust manifolds. I did a similar build on my 85 using a Super Ram, AFR 195 heads and a mild cam. When I got the heads, I found the exhaust gasket was a perfect fit. Then I laid the gasket on the stock manifolds and realized what a restriction they were. Long story short, I ran the motor with the stock manifolds and then with headers. What a huge improvement. I think you'll find that unless you open up the exhaust you will be leaving a lot of power untapped.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,408
Likes: 13
From: Dayton, Ohio
I noticed on the build that the engine is still fitted with the stock exhaust manifolds. I did a similar build on my 85 using a Super Ram, AFR 195 heads and a mild cam. When I got the heads, I found the exhaust gasket was a perfect fit. Then I laid the gasket on the stock manifolds and realized what a restriction they were. Long story short, I ran the motor with the stock manifolds and then with headers. What a huge improvement. I think you'll find that unless you open up the exhaust you will be leaving a lot of power untapped.