Building new engine.. Some head input please, LT4, AFR,????
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 812
Likes: 1
From: Sherman Texas
Building new engine.. Some head input please, LT4, AFR,????
I am in the process of building a new engine for my 92. Just wanting a little input from those who know what is working good.. Should I buy LT4 heads and intake from GM, or LT4 heads from Airflow Research, or srick with an LT1 intake and some sort of head combo. Planning on running a hot cam and 1.6 rollers, trying to stay between 10 and 10.5:1 comp... Any input is greatly appreciated
Thanks in advance..
Chris
Thanks in advance..
Chris
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
I hear Lt4 heads are good, but I'm personally sold on AFR. I suppose if $$ was an issue, you could take what you have and have them worked over though. Better to spend the money once and get good stuff! Good Luck
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 744
Likes: 1
From: Houston Tx
This is all about money ...... AFR's will be best followed by LT4's then LT1's.
BUT considering the hot cam (pretty mild, very good street manners) I would as mentioned above have your LT1 heads and intake worked by a reputable shop . See my stats to see what you can expect. LT1 heads can be made to flow as well as my Stage II LT4 heads. Remember I am using 1.7 rr's though.....good luck.
BUT considering the hot cam (pretty mild, very good street manners) I would as mentioned above have your LT1 heads and intake worked by a reputable shop . See my stats to see what you can expect. LT1 heads can be made to flow as well as my Stage II LT4 heads. Remember I am using 1.7 rr's though.....good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,596
Likes: 19
From: Portland Oregon
Originally Posted by thmupr
I am in the process of building a new engine for my 92. Just wanting a little input from those who know what is working good.. Should I buy LT4 heads and intake from GM, or LT4 heads from Airflow Research, or srick with an LT1 intake and some sort of head combo. Planning on running a hot cam and 1.6 rollers, trying to stay between 10 and 10.5:1 comp... Any input is greatly appreciated
Thanks in advance..
Chris
Thanks in advance..
Chris
It really depends on your combination. Are you building a stroker engine or just a 350? If you are staying with stock displacement and with the LT4 HOT cam. Then I would just stay with a set of LT4 heads that are ported by a pro porter such as Pete at CNC heads or TEA or some one similar. You would also need a LT4 intake to use with a set of LT4 heads. Or if you are on a budget, have your LT1 heads and intake ported by a porter. AFR as the best LT4 heads you can buy, but they are 12 to 14 weeks out and costs a considerable amount of cash.
You can purchase the GM LT4 conversion kit that includes the cam, rocker arms, heads, intake and all the gaskets for around $2k which is a good deal. After that you would have to spend another $1400 to have them ported. Or you could use them out of the box with very good results as well.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 7
From: Lahaina Hi
AFR's are only about $2500.00 but you will have to boost up the pistons to make more compression I have the big LT4 AFR heads and the size of the combustion chamber lowers the compression.
The intake you can use is limited.
The intake you can use is limited.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 812
Likes: 1
From: Sherman Texas
Thanks for the input guys...
I am still considering a 383, but I think I'll probably keep the 353 (.20 over) displacement. I like to drive a lot, so i don't want to own stock in Exxon.. Anyone use the Edelbrock heads? just curious there.. I am going to use the Hot Cam, and 6" rods.. That's all I have now.. I have a split set (1.52 and 1.6) of Comp cam roller rockers, but I may go to straight 1.6 ratio.
Thanks again..
Chris
I am still considering a 383, but I think I'll probably keep the 353 (.20 over) displacement. I like to drive a lot, so i don't want to own stock in Exxon..
Anyone use the Edelbrock heads? just curious there.. I am going to use the Hot Cam, and 6" rods.. That's all I have now.. I have a split set (1.52 and 1.6) of Comp cam roller rockers, but I may go to straight 1.6 ratio.Thanks again..
Chris
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 934
Likes: 0
From: MO
I am totally happy with the set of LT4 Stage3 heads I have. I am still running a stock bottom end. However my cam is a little bigger than a hot cam and makes its power a little higher in the rpms. Again like mentioned above its all about money. I think you can have a good running setup with getting your LT1 heads maxed out and your combo.
What are the overall goals for your car? Dragrace/AutoX/Just want added power??
What are the overall goals for your car? Dragrace/AutoX/Just want added power??
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 812
Likes: 1
From: Sherman Texas
I am mainly just looking for more power from my motor.. I very rarely get to a track, and I have to drive it 30 each way to work if I use the car for that, so I have to keep it reliable.. I just spent some time reading on the net, and it sure does sound like a 383 might be the way to go.. Have to think about that.. Thanks again for the responses...
Chris
Chris
