L98 Build - Parts Recommendations
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 34
Likes: 7
From: Buffalo, NY
L98 Build - Parts Recommendations
I’d like to do a “mild” build over the winter on my ‘89 A4. I know what I WANT to do, but I don’t know all the parts I should get. Engine has been well maintained, and runs STRONG.
The only thing done the the car are TPIS headers, cats deleted, 3” SS pipes to MagnaFlow mufflers, free mods, 3.07 gears.
I’m keeping the heads stock (flow). No discussion.
Looking for recommendations on the “?”.
CAM - ? (Maybe TPIS ZZ9?)
Valve springs - ?
Rockers - Comp Cams SS 1.6 RR
Intake - TPIS Big Mouth (already have it)
Runners - AS&M
Intake Manifold Gaskets - ?
Timing Chain - ? (Maybe timing gears?)
Anything else, small parts, that you can recommend while it’s apart? Easy things to miss or forget?
The only thing done the the car are TPIS headers, cats deleted, 3” SS pipes to MagnaFlow mufflers, free mods, 3.07 gears.
I’m keeping the heads stock (flow). No discussion.
Looking for recommendations on the “?”.
CAM - ? (Maybe TPIS ZZ9?)
Valve springs - ?
Rockers - Comp Cams SS 1.6 RR
Intake - TPIS Big Mouth (already have it)
Runners - AS&M
Intake Manifold Gaskets - ?
Timing Chain - ? (Maybe timing gears?)
Anything else, small parts, that you can recommend while it’s apart? Easy things to miss or forget?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 437
From: Marlton NJ
Seems to me that everything you are thinking about doing and keeping the stock heads with upgraded springs is not going to get you much increase. If you have a lot of flow through the intake and the heads can’t handle the flow it is pretty much not going to get big gain’s although it may cost you pretty big.
I would do larger throttle body (52 or 54mm) and a good set of AFR 180 or 195.
I would do larger throttle body (52 or 54mm) and a good set of AFR 180 or 195.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,925
Likes: 440
From: Albuquerque NM
Bump for curious what all you are going to do.
I have a 1989 ZF6 with long tubes, cat and smog delete, and LT1 catback,
Currently sitting on a set of AS&M long tube runners, and TPIS Big Mouth TPI base for it
I am curious about swapping in a different cam, 1.6 full roller rockers, upgrading the valve springs, and possibly getting the intake base, runners, and plenum extrude honed.
I have a 1989 ZF6 with long tubes, cat and smog delete, and LT1 catback,
Currently sitting on a set of AS&M long tube runners, and TPIS Big Mouth TPI base for it
I am curious about swapping in a different cam, 1.6 full roller rockers, upgrading the valve springs, and possibly getting the intake base, runners, and plenum extrude honed.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 34
Likes: 7
From: Buffalo, NY
Seems to me that everything you are thinking about doing and keeping the stock heads with upgraded springs is not going to get you much increase. If you have a lot of flow through the intake and the heads can’t handle the flow it is pretty much not going to get big gain’s although it may cost you pretty big.
I would do larger throttle body (52 or 54mm) and a good set of AFR 180 or 195.
I would do larger throttle body (52 or 54mm) and a good set of AFR 180 or 195.
I’ve also read many times that the 48mm throttle body is more than adequate for under 400hp.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 274
Likes: 60
From: Texas
Posting as following for camshaft info. All I know with an engine is that all the power is in the heads.
Careful with timing gears, they are beyond noisy unless you find quiet ones. My Ford 4.9 (!) has steel gears installed by the PO and it sounds awful at idle, I will be going back to OE fiber gears.
Careful with timing gears, they are beyond noisy unless you find quiet ones. My Ford 4.9 (!) has steel gears installed by the PO and it sounds awful at idle, I will be going back to OE fiber gears.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 517
Likes: 142
From: Caribbean/Florida
But if the stock heads are to see 400hp you will need to work them over well. Ported and Polished and Larger valves really wake them up.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 274
Likes: 60
From: Texas
A twin 48mm should flow close to what a single 70mm will.
Gen III 5.7s would dyno 270-290rwhp stock with a single 78mm, one needed a larger manifold for a larger TB on those. But we all know the camshafts on them are lame stock. I never forget seeing a 370rwhp dyno in the late 90s with a stock headed Fbody. My have the times changed!
Gen III 5.7s would dyno 270-290rwhp stock with a single 78mm, one needed a larger manifold for a larger TB on those. But we all know the camshafts on them are lame stock. I never forget seeing a 370rwhp dyno in the late 90s with a stock headed Fbody. My have the times changed!
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