This may not be as relevant to the issue at hand, but on a previous thread there was a discussion about the Edelbrock lt4 intake compared to stock intake manifold. The edelbrock didn't actually improve anything it actually reduces hp according to the tests that the thread referenced. Instead, the suggestion was to just mill the stock intake manifold to accommodate. Thoughts on this....?

 

Hm i wonder why always the same people answer these kind of thread.

 

The LT4 heads had TALLER ports than the LT1 the LT4 manifold had more material above the intake ports to seal to the taller head ports BUT internally was the same as the late LT1 intakes.

Depending on the head and how thin a margin you feel comfortable with you might get away with an unmodified LT1 intake on "LT4" heads, worst case you need a little more material added to the top sealing surface of the intake to head mating flange and then them milled flat again.

GIZMO from another forum posted this pic years ago, you can see the ports are the same but there is more material above the red LT4 intake's ports.
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k5...1/DCP_1456.jpg

Years ago Edelbrock had the integrity to admit defeat on the LT1 intake and not release a substandard part, when the LT4 manifold went out of production that created a false sense of "need" for an aftermarket replacement, they let their integrity go and released some parts that are really pretty sad. Their LT4 heads/cam/intake package only musters 406flywheel HP according to the advertizing department. No matter what parts the rest of us like we all know that number is achievable with ported stock heads a cam and unported stock intake.

Edelbrock still sells those parts though because people believe in the name.

 

The only reason why I would go with eddy intake is if I needed it for port height.

As for AFRs new 195 eliminators, not sure if I need the taller port or not.

I emailed AI to see what they recommend.
But reading the search forums it seems there are so many ppl arguing back and fourth that it would be imposible to make a decision based on what you read.

So far the new AFRs seem probably the best for the money.
On a 355, the AI ported 200cc stockers would do just as good I would imagine.

I am wondering what the advantage of the 21 deg TFS head would be.

 

Can I respectfully ask what you are basing this comment on?

 

Well I am under the assumption that I DO NOT need lt4 intake manifold (am I wrong?).

Also further reading I am not sure if I need to upgrade the springs that come with these heads (sound like I do) compared to others.

I would say if springs are good for .600 and under lift HR cam, and I don't need lt4 intake, and I don't need to deal with anyone but simply order them online, they seem ok.

I am, however, always interested in proven combos. So we'll see what/when/if AI gets back to me via email.

I want a top end combo that works w/o guess work.

 

Best bang for the buck? From what i can tell if ur going by biggest gains for the least amount then le1's. 900 bux for a set of heads that are capable of 400rwhp with the right valvetrain is a pretty good deal in my eyes. Advanced inductions may be a better quality head with better flow but for the price difference i would have too say le1's. Now if your going for the best flow numbers and most power and price is not an issue then by all means advanced induction or air flow research is your best bet. I've if price is absolutely no issue then convert a set of 2.2 heads over and make some real power.

 

Lloyd will set you up with some le1's and a custom cam for a really good price that should see around 400 too the wheels. He's also an awesome person too talk too and is very knowledgable about lt1's. He told me turnaround time is about 1 1/2 weeks. I waited for a week too hear from advanced inductions and went a different route. I would've went with Elliott heads but couldn't afford too wait 2 weeks to get the car back. My heads will be done monday afternoon and i dropped them off thursday.

 

I want to make the most power with 355 n/a and stay reasonable with the work needed, $$$, and avoiding the stress of having to hear back from someone for a week.

 

You dont need Edelbrock Lt4 itake ,when Afr released the new eliminater heads
4-5 years ago they said you should use lt4 intake its wrong i know.
Use your stock intake and line up the intake runners to head runners.

The intake runners are raised but not where intake and head meets.
Afr and Tfs heads out of box are good choices.

IgorT.455/406 you have the knowledge to take your own decisions,so take it
easy and think about it

You have built your cars from the right end , the rear .
So you gone figure out whats best for you.

 

Watch this video and read this thread if you have any doubts about AI's ported stock castings. Truly some GREAT info (don't mind the BS at the end).

http://ls1tech.com/forums/lt1-lt4-mo...cnc-video.html

LE is great if you're on a super budget, but you admit that you are not. IMO the 200cc ported stock castings from AI heads are what you want. There are guys running 450+WHP (and far beyond) with far from elaborate combos, like myself. Listen to the guys in this forum who have actual real-life experience and IMPRESSIVE RESULTS with the products they are suggesting. Building a motor is ALL ABOUT part selection.

Good work takes time. They may not get right back to you, but that's because they are machinists and engineers working on cylinder head technologies, not secretaries. It took 2 months to get my heads done but my goodness were they beautiful and performed far better than expected. I don't know about you guys, but I'd prefer performance over a warm fuzzy feeling talking to my head porter.

The whole intake manifold debate needs to be dropped as it's not even important. Stock or LT4 they can both handle the power.

Say what you will...nothing I haven't heard before yet. It just amazes me how people have the best option in front of them for a few bucks more and admittedly have the coin to do it, but then settle for something cheaper with less performance potential. Happens all the time - Dwayne knows what I'm talking about.

 

That comes right back around to let's see real world results.

Many reputations are built on bench racing not real racing.

Many people also push whatever decision they made without ever proving their results are worth trying to copy.

 

Very nice AI video. I've got a couple of cores ready to take to them. Seeing as they are just down the road from me....I'm not going to ship them, I'm going to drive them down to Concord.

 

I have seen the video, its pretty impressive.

I have my own business and I am not a secretary, and I take a while to get back to some customers as well, and inevetably loose them. Its not right. I need to improve this, and if AI is doing this as well, they need to too.

I will wait to hear back from them, the product (and first hand experience) seems solid.

 

If you want to make the most power you can and aren't too hard up, get the nicest set of heads you can. That's where the power is made.

If you want AFR I'd go with their 210 Race Readies at least but competition port would be better. Your best bet is going to be having the castings of your choice ported by somebody really good with however much money you can spend being your guide. AI is good, LE does a good job, there are plenty of others out there as well.

You won't need to go that big with your cam as just a modest sized cam (I'm running ~230/240) will take 355 cubes to the PCM's limits with good heads.