'86 head upgrade questions
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 228
Likes: 13
'86 head upgrade questions
I'm debating a head upgrade on my '86 iron head L98. I have a couple questions.
1. the motor has about 97000 on it. It has good compression and vacuum. The valve seals a going so I get a little smoke randomly on startup but nothing more. Is that mileage too high for a head upgrade or should I be considering the whole motor build at this point?
2. Debating between Edelbrock E-Streets and Vortecs with a SD lower intake. The Eddys will save some money since I can reuse my stock lower intake but I've read that they have some quality issues, particularly in the valvetrain. I'm leaning toward to Vortecs/SD intake.
3. Will I need a tune for any of this or will the stock computer handle it? I'm not changing out the cam but may consider headers down the line. Currently using a catless y-pipe, main cat delete and Walker Quiet Flow mufflers.
Definitely happier with low rpm torque over a high rpm screamer.
Thanks for any thoughts.
1. the motor has about 97000 on it. It has good compression and vacuum. The valve seals a going so I get a little smoke randomly on startup but nothing more. Is that mileage too high for a head upgrade or should I be considering the whole motor build at this point?
2. Debating between Edelbrock E-Streets and Vortecs with a SD lower intake. The Eddys will save some money since I can reuse my stock lower intake but I've read that they have some quality issues, particularly in the valvetrain. I'm leaning toward to Vortecs/SD intake.
3. Will I need a tune for any of this or will the stock computer handle it? I'm not changing out the cam but may consider headers down the line. Currently using a catless y-pipe, main cat delete and Walker Quiet Flow mufflers.
Definitely happier with low rpm torque over a high rpm screamer.
Thanks for any thoughts.
Oil Producer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,372
Likes: 2,736
depends on how attached u r to the car. i had an 86 4+3 car. boy was it fun to drive.
truth is i wouldnt bother unless the car is setimental to you. if u r after more jam, but an LT1/4/5 car.
but if you really love the 80’s interior (like i do!) then you can do intake (im doing superam), in manifold, heads, cam, valve train, and then and full exhaust. but thats moocho $$$. if you did just heads i dont think u r going to notice much.
truth is i wouldnt bother unless the car is setimental to you. if u r after more jam, but an LT1/4/5 car.
but if you really love the 80’s interior (like i do!) then you can do intake (im doing superam), in manifold, heads, cam, valve train, and then and full exhaust. but thats moocho $$$. if you did just heads i dont think u r going to notice much.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 188
Likes: 3
I do not know the answer to your question, but I do know my 1987 has head with casting numbers 10088113. They are Aluminum and they seem pretty cheap. At the time, they were considered pretty good. I think they can be ported. I think they were the best OEM L98 heads. I also know the AFR 195s are something I am interested in. There are some others out there. Any comments from others who have done this switch would be interesting.
My understanding is the intake is the biggest limitation on the L98. If you could open up the sizes of the runners and the intake, I think you release some power. Accel, Edelbrock and AIR seem to be the 3 choices. Also, there are a few types of larger runners - I do not think any are sold new anymore. I hear the super ram is so wide it makes reaching the fuel rail and injectors a problem.
I think the short block is the cheaper part. If you did rebuild the rotating assembly, a 383 is just about the same cost and releases some power, but it will also make the intake more limiting.
These are the things on my mind, Would love to hear the gurus here expand on your question.
My understanding is the intake is the biggest limitation on the L98. If you could open up the sizes of the runners and the intake, I think you release some power. Accel, Edelbrock and AIR seem to be the 3 choices. Also, there are a few types of larger runners - I do not think any are sold new anymore. I hear the super ram is so wide it makes reaching the fuel rail and injectors a problem.
I think the short block is the cheaper part. If you did rebuild the rotating assembly, a 383 is just about the same cost and releases some power, but it will also make the intake more limiting.
These are the things on my mind, Would love to hear the gurus here expand on your question.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Your bottom end will be fine. a set of 180 afrs would be ideal for your TPi car
Many say if you put new heads on it will blow the car up..well if they are leaning hard on an old engine playing with newfound performance well....lol Youll be fine
tpi421vette can get you hooked up with the afrs reasonable.
Those and a better base/runners and headers will really wake it up.
Many say if you put new heads on it will blow the car up..well if they are leaning hard on an old engine playing with newfound performance well....lol Youll be fine
tpi421vette can get you hooked up with the afrs reasonable.
Those and a better base/runners and headers will really wake it up.
