Why I did it? I really thought seriously about moving up to a new Z06 but I just can not get warmed up to the new C6 body style, albeit a beautiful car. Just my taste not a slam on any C6 or Z06 folks. I just have always loved the C5 body style. I can plan exactly what I want in the engine and everything is new and forged! I can control what I want out of the engine. In my case I was looking for strong torque, just like the cars I remember from the middle and late 60's. I never could afford the ss 396, 442, GTO, and of course a corvette was totally out of the question. I do remember riding in my friends cars and all that torque out of the big blocks. Lastly, I don't have to spend anywhere near as much money as a new Z06 purchase and start right out of the box with more power and torque than a stock or moderately modified Z.

To start with, I needed driveability as this is my daily driver. I wanted reliability so we went with many forged parts and everything is highly reliable. I wanted high torque with out giving up driveability so MTI Racing selected a mid range torque cam. This gave less high end horsepower but much more low and mid range torque. I also wanted AFR 240 heads(225's with extra work to heads) and LSX intake for the quality and reliability.

After about 1200 hundred miles I am very impressed with the manners of the new engine. It is very driveable unless you punch it then you must really pay attention. I am getting about 19 miles to the gallon in stop and go traffic in Atlanta each day. My only cruse trip I got 26.8 miles to the gallon.
Torque is right at your foot with just a slight push of the throttle. At 2000 RPM I now get the same torque I used to get at max torque with a head/cam 346 set up. The engine runs very cool with no heating problems and a/c works great.
Reese ***, owner of MTI tells me to expect much more as engine breaks in but frankly this is more than I expected.
If you are considering a head/cam in the future I would strongly suggest you consider a displacement increase instead. There are several choices other than 427 but all carry much more torque than the 346 engine. You get all the power with the head/cam and the added benefit of increased torque at the low and mid range of the power band.
Details of my build are located on the MTI Racing web site on page two of the picture gallery.

 

Good write up, I really like the concept. Drivability is so very important!

 

Thanks. That was my overriding factor as I use this car to go to work everyday. It's great to have a torque beast but if you can't drive it around town etc. it is not worth doing. I have truly been surprised at just how docile it is and yet the power is just lurking a few inches away with a throttle increase.

 

I'm in awe. That's a VERY costly piece you've got.......

All jesting aside, great writeup. There's just no replacement for displacement.

 

I'm in awe. That's a VERY costly piece you've got.......

Actually, I traded in a head/cam engine and received a nice trade in value

 

Can you shoot me a PM with ballpark costs at MTI for your orignal h/c install and your current 427 set-up?

Thanks

 

PM sent
Just to let you know Reese *** the owner of MTI Racing has called me on three different occasions since I have taken delivery of the car just to make sure I am, 1. happy with everything and 2. Have had any driveability issues. That is why I use MTI Racing the quality and excellent customer service!

 

Congrats on your new engine! Sounds great! That's a very nice plus for MTI Racing too.

 

I have received numerous PM's asking me about horsepower, torque, price, length of time in shop etc. I really appreciate the interest but when you plan an engine from the ground up it will vary in price and shop time. When you plan that engine you can drastically affect horsepower, torque and where they increase in the power curve. Details of my engine build are on the MTI Racing web site under picture gallery on page two. My car dynoed at 503.4 rwhp and 499.7 rwtq. Your results will vary with your selection of parts type cam etc. My point really is if you are in the market for a head/cam installation for just a little more dough you can get a brand new engine with more power and a heck of a lot more torque. Thanks for the kind comments and your interest.

 

Those are good numbers for a real daily driver. Kudos for posting real world numbers. Mine, like yours is a daily driver and I have similar numbers with my A4.

I too could have gone with a bigger cam and added HP but I don't want to go on cruises with my club and have a issues.

 

Right you are. I could have gone with an aggressive cam and some other alterations to see well above 550 rwhp but at the expense of driveability. Since I drive about 35 miles to work and 35 miles home each day in Atlanta traffic I must have dependability and ease of driving. After all 500RWHP seem enough at least for right now! It sure does for those folks that try to play with me on the open road.

 

I love my C5 and rather than buy a new Z06, I decided to put some money into my car. Amongst some of my modes was a C5R block, callies forged internals, etc. Same numbers as you 500rwhp. I could have gotten to 550rwhp with a different cam or higher volume heads but 550 is way too much and hard to get to the ground. Couldn't be happier.

 

Congrats

 

I am guessing there is more than one MTI. I have a 427 built by MTI out of Houston and its great. 540 RWHP and their biggest cam. I really don't have any drivability issues. When cold it may hunt for Idle if the RPMs drop suddenly but once warm its fine. Love that lumpy Idle. Can't wait to take it to the track.

Jeff

 

Sorry didn't mean to confuse anyone. This is MTI Racing located in Atlanta Georgia.

 

I'll be going with a stroker 414 next winter. What are the cam numbers? My commute is about the same as your's and I want to maintain excellent drivability. My H/C 346 is perfect now with a 230-236 112 cam and I would hate to loose the ability to get stuck in DC rush hour.

 

Frankly, this new engine has been as reliable (knock on wood) as my former head/cam 346 engine. Runs much cooler and the idle is very steady. What you will notice with the larger displacement is power on the low end of the power band. You don't have to tach up to 4500 rpm to get that kick in the butt you have to do with the head/cam set up. Impressive power is available from 2000rpm on and then when the cam power band kicks in about 3800rpm, well hold on and watch your traction!

 

I really appreciate all the comments and PM's. I am sorry if some of you feel I am being somewhat evasive in answering your questions regarding prices. I am unable to quote you a specific price due to extra things I had included and things I opted to leave out. My suggestion is you PM or call MTI Racing and tell them what you are looking for as a finished product. This is to help you plan out what you want, example: if you wish to do forced induction in the future, this will dictate how you build your engine from the start. There are many options, not just the 427. They range from a 383 all the way up to 500ci + I can tell you there is no subtitute for Cubic Inches I can also tell you they are not high pressure (they have plenty of business) and more importantly answer your question honestly. Thanks....

 

Good numbers. But what is more important is that you are happy and it is
your money you spent! I have also had some work done at MTI Racing in the past.

 

Much of the drivability is attributed to the PCM tune, and if its a medium cam then its even better. Nonetheless congrats on it.