stubbs
10-06-2005, 10:24 AM
I am swapping valve covers on my 87 Vette and figured I would swap the runners for now as they are available on ebay cheap. Eventually I am going with the TPIS MiniRamII so no preaching about "don't do the runners" posts OK. When the 383 goes in so does the rest of the good stuff. But I am moving to Phoenix and have a 3000 mile trip in front of me and am looking to enjoy the drive a little more so I ordered the TPIS longtube headers and now want to buy a set of runners, but which ones? The TPIS ones are too much money as this is only temporary, but I see Accel's, Edelbrock's and SLP's, which are better?
Z28SORR
10-06-2005, 01:48 PM
Yes I have. Do I remember all the results? No. But I do recall that most of them pushed the hp/torq curve up the rpm scale. Particulally the siamese runners, pushed it way up the scale. In many cases JUST changing the runners LOST hp (siamese runners). So if you haven't made the other complimentary changes, like heads, cam, throttle body, injectors, etc., etc., they aren't going to be much use.
I know you didn't ask for advise, but it seems that if your going to do a 383 later, why bother. Even a modded TPI is not going to be sufficient for the 383.
Why not put the money you have now into ride improvements. With the 383 your going to want to do the suspension later any way.
stubbs
10-06-2005, 08:03 PM
Well I already installed the racing shocks, poly bushings, and EBC Greenstuff pads, thats about all I'll need for the 383 setup as the car has the Z51 suspension option from the factory. I actually went with the SLP runners though, I got them for 234 bucks with no shipping. Since they are selling on Ebay for like 200 I figure why not. After I put the Miniram in I'll just sell them and take the 30 dollar loss. I am also ordering a ported upper plenum from TPIS, and I am considdering 1.6 roller rockers.
Z28SORR
10-07-2005, 10:08 AM
Sounds like a nice car. Had an 87 a few years ago. I actually LIKED the dash! Did the ZZ4 short block and had intended to use the fast burn heads, even bought them. Unfortunately at that time there were no intake manifolds available and the TPI didn't fit, head ports to tall. Ended up using the L98 heads, reworked, and the Superram.
Good luck, enjoy your trip.
robvas
10-07-2005, 11:15 AM
Port the base and plenum. Unless you buy a used set of runners, and sell them for what you paid for them, just save your $$ since you're going with an aftermarket intake anyway.
stubbs
10-07-2005, 11:18 AM
I got the runners for 234 bucks, with free shipping. Now look at this link and you'll see I may even come out ahead!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=8005265346&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT
HiTech5
10-07-2005, 01:00 PM
There was a great article in Super Rod on all the aftermarket intake parts for the TPI cars. Check out Third Gen for some good info.
http://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=273727