Trickflow vs Cobble together
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Trickflow vs Cobble together
In my research I’ve sorta decided on two methods for making power from the top end but I don’t really have a clear idea of which is better. I intend on keeping stock displacement and the opti to the best of my ability. I’ve read that getting some beehive springs and lt4 valves is killer and then from there you can port the heads and put whatever cam you want. But I think it would be super convenient to just get the Trickflow top end kit send it to a shop and call it a day instead of tracking down all these random parts that may or may not fit/work. My concern is if the trickflow kit for these cars is any good in the context of its price, I also worry about reliability.
My goal isn’t much past their claimed 430 horse power. 400 to the wheels is absolutely plenty for me. My main concern goes to reliability rather than power. Cause it also seems apparently the trickflow heads have additional wear on the valve train. Not to mention if the cam they include in the kit is any good either.
Thanks tons
link to kit
https://www.trickflow.com/parts/tfs-k304-430-400
My goal isn’t much past their claimed 430 horse power. 400 to the wheels is absolutely plenty for me. My main concern goes to reliability rather than power. Cause it also seems apparently the trickflow heads have additional wear on the valve train. Not to mention if the cam they include in the kit is any good either.
Thanks tons
link to kit
https://www.trickflow.com/parts/tfs-k304-430-400
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,944
Likes: 1,490
From: New Jersey
You can also do an Elliot port and cam package and just order a set of gaskets and call it good too. Probably be cheaper as well but you would have to do some leg work and lose the convenience of an all inclusive kit... but you would be ahead.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,648
Likes: 1,059
From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
send it to a shop and call it a day
The advantage of a aftermarket set of heads is that the car won't be sitting while the heads are in transit both ways and at the porters. So if you are not keeping it at home doing the work, will the shop store it for you for that time ? Or have it towed back and forth ?
Regardless, you may or may not need need pushrods. You may or may not need a new timing chain. With the amount of work required required for a LT1, you should talk to a shop before any consideration of buying parts to find out how much labor is going to be and if they have the required tools for the front end of the LT1.
