What heads for '87 5.7TPI?

The valves in my 5.7 TPI are tired, but the block was replaced not too long ago. So I'm wondering if it's best to get the 083 heads rebuilt or is there a better solution for under a grand or so? I want to keep the TPI setup. Thanks.

well, for under a grand, you could go with some Vortec heads and get the proper lower intake to match(intake bolts are different the the original ones)

but then, you could go with some decent aftermarket ones as well

is the cam stock?

Look for some used one that will bolt right up. Just remember you wont see that much of a performance gain with the stock intake. If you get a bigger base/runners/plenum ect... you will see things come alive. I know it cost a lot of money. You can get some decent heads for under a grand that will do the job pretty well.

well, for under a grand, you could go with some Vortec heads and get the proper lower intake to match(intake bolts are different the the original ones)

but then, you could go with some decent aftermarket ones as well

is the cam stock?

The cam is stock but I'll probably replace it when I do the heads. This is an all stock, very clean and well optioned '87 IROC, so I want to keep it pretty much stock (at least stock looking). I figure the 3rd gens are about due to start appreciating in value.

Perhaps you might want to look at the small cc heads from AFR's new Eliminator series. Go aluminum and bump the compression ratio up a notch to 10.25:1 for some more torque. Put in some 180 cc intake runners to keep port velocities up and with the newly designed combustion chamber you should see some good torque gains, especially with a new generation cam like one of the XFI series cams from Comp.

Optimize it for a 5500 RPM max RPM and you should have a nice, torquey and streetable package.

I'd do vortecs and the vortec base. That'll set you back under a grand, and it's a proven 40-50 horsepower gain on a completely stock L98.

I'd do vortecs and the vortec base. That'll set you back under a grand, and it's a proven 40-50 horsepower gain on a completely stock L98.

What's a "vortec base"?

Vortec heads and base. The base is made by scoggin-dickey and is simply the lower intake designed to fit vortec head's bolt pattern. I've heard a thing or two about people retrofitting the stock base to work with vortec heads but I can't imaagine this as being a good option. The base is pretty expensive, though. However, buying vortec heads and base both is comparable in price to simply buying aftermarket heads and keeping your stock base. The aftermarket base will help realize more power gains from the heads. I believe scoggin-dickey advertised 300 hp on an L98 with vortec heads and their base.

Perhaps you might want to look at the small cc heads from AFR's new Eliminator series. Go aluminum and bump the compression ratio up a notch to 10.25:1 for some more torque. Put in some 180 cc intake runners to keep port velocities up and with the newly designed combustion chamber you should see some good torque gains, especially with a new generation cam like one of the XFI series cams from Comp.

Optimize it for a 5500 RPM max RPM and you should have a nice, torquey and streetable package.

Couldnt have said it better myself,listen to this man.

The heads will be more money than Vortecs but you wont have to buy the base plenum for the Vortec heads...thats saves you almost $400.

I don't think the AFR heads are gonna be under a grand. I think the eliminator series heads are close to $1500 a pair and your still stuck with the choking stock base manifold.

I have a brand new pair of 113, better known as the L98 vette/ZZ4 heads. I bought a ZZZ crate motor, and plan on using my AFR 180's for the build, so I am trying to sell these heads. They are brand new, never been fired. Never had the valve covers off until last week, when I took them off the motor for the first time since it was built by GM. Anyway long story short, they are complete, ready to go. Here is the link to my for sale section ad, PM me if you are interested bro. Thanks

http://web.camaross.com/forums/showthread.php?t=531833

Will

Couldnt have said it better myself,listen to this man.

The heads will be more money than Vortecs but you wont have to buy the base plenum for the Vortec heads...thats saves you almost $400.


But he still has to buy a high flow TPI base. So he's still buying a $300-$400 TPI base either way.

Actually i think he is going with a Stealth Ram intake......with a good set of heads, cam, exhaust he should be doing pretty good.

If you're going to go with a stealth ram, you can get the Vortec stealth ram and use the Vortec heads. That's the combo I plan to use on my IROC when I get around to it.

Go with a set of vette aluminum heads. The ones Stanghunter211 has are a pretty good deal for brand new 113's.

But he still has to buy a high flow TPI base. So he's still buying a $300-$400 TPI base either way.


I was talking about heads,not intakes. I only mentioned the base plate b/c of people mentioning Vortec heads and him wanting to keep the stock intake.

I realize he needs a high flow intake,I already been there-done that w/ my old TPI 305 and 350,ran the car for 3 months and sold the TPI setup b/c it was garbage for what I wanted it to do...MAKE HORSEPOWER.

I was talking about heads,not intakes. I only mentioned the base plate b/c of people mentioning Vortec heads and him wanting to keep the stock intake.

I realize he needs a high flow intake,I already been there-done that w/ my old TPI 305 and 350,ran the car for 3 months and sold the TPI setup b/c it was garbage for what I wanted it to do...MAKE HORSEPOWER.


TPI isn't doomed to fail. You can port the hell out of it and get some decent gains. I bought a stock tpi that was ported by lingenfelter which flows almost as wel as their accel base. When the zz3 is running I will post some dyno sheets to see how much more these parts extend the rpm range. Granted they can't compete with a stealthram or miniram, but as far as price goes, there is no competition there either. For the price, stock tpi can be made to make some solid power. At some point you start to lose practicality. I know it would be fun to have a 500 hp car or whatever, but most guys, myself included, are shooting for something a little more practical. If your goals are sub 400, you can easily achieve that with some good porting and a solid combo match of parts. This is exactly what I am doing. Everyone is quick to dump their TPI for something "better." It's all a matter of taste, but tuned port injection really isn't all that bad.

Will

TTT If anyone else is interested in those heads let me know. Thanks