Hey everyone. I have about a grand to spend on heads and I can't really decide between the two. Does any run Edelbrock RPM heads with a TPI ? Does it work as good as it does with a carb (Edelbrock claims 420HP with their intake and carb on a 350) ?

 

Nobody runs Edelbrock heads ?

 

Not really. I guess thats your answer right there. trickflows are a good head...but AFR 190's are pretty much the kings of sub-200cc heads. I'd look into those.

 

I have to agree with Jester that you should look at the AFRs.

What I have noticed is the guys with TF 23* heads that have a Miniram (or converted LT1) intake are the happiest and seem to get the power they expected. The guys using TF 23* with TPI seem to be the most disappointed.

IMO, TPI would choke a good set of heads and negate many of the flow advantages. I recently saw a post from someone who had AFRs with TPI and he is not getting the power he was expeciting.

My recommendation would be to look at the Miniram or convert the LT1 intake FIRST and then look at some better heads (if you can't afford to do both). At least you'll never have to concern yourself with the intake ever again. Of course, if you have emission testing requireing a test of your EGR, then you are pretty well stuck having to go with the Superram.

But I would look at your intake first. No offense, but TPI is dandy for trucks but not for performance. It's like a long distance marathon runner with asthma.

 

I was going on the fact that the Edelbrock heads have potential. The RPM package makes 420 HP on a 350 SBC per Edelbrock's claims. Well a good friend of mine has this package (heads, intake, carb) on a 350 in a 70 Camaro and it DOES run low 12s with moderate traction. What gives ? I think I'm going carburated !!! If the heads put my car in the high 12s then it wont be too bad. The miniram can be bought later and then maybe I'll see even more gains. I just cant justify paying twice the price I would for the RPMs on AFRs.

 

I will assume that you have seen this link before http://www.airflowresearch.com/chptest.html

 

Yeah I have. They dont show the flow numbers against the RPM heads though. The RPM's flow a lot more than regular Performer. I guess I'll be the guinea pig. I'll put them on my car and see what they do with TPI. If that doesnt work (since I'm tired of messing with TPI) I will just throw a carb on it and run 12s.

 

I can save you some time, just put the carb on - the TPI is going to choke your performance, it's a mismatch. That is why I am going Miniram on my "build up" this spring. Of course, you could track down John Millican's post on "converting" an LT1 intake to work on our engines for substantial savings over the Miniram. I personally think a converted LT1 intake will perform very close to a Miniram (at a fraction of the cost).

In fact, the cost is probably not that much different than converting to a carb when you consider you'll need to change the distributor and if you are still automatic (I can't remember if you converted to a manual), you'll need to do something about the TCC to make it lock. Also, since you already have been playing with eprom burning for over a year you only have to deal with "tuning issues", which you are going to have to deal with on a carb and the manual HEI distributor.

I know one guy that converted from a carb to a Miniram, and the Miniram just flat out-performed the carb in EVERY department. More low-end TQ, better driveability and throttle response, better fuel economy and better top-end. Just better.

I did a lot of investigating on intakes and contacted many people that had all types of intakes. I hate to say this, but generally the guys with the Minirams were the happiest and tended to have the quicker cars (modification for modification). I personally like the TQ characteristics of the Superram better, but I love the simplicity of the Miniram for ease of installation and removal far better. Also this "myth" that Minirams are ONLY for top-end performance is just that, a myth. By carefully selecting the right combination of heads and cam, you can make a Miniram setup that has a LOT of bottom end TQ like TPI (except the TQ line is flat, not that "Mount Everest" peak), but the Miniram will never "chop off" the top end like TPI. In this respect the Miniram behaves more like a carb where the engine just keeps revving (not necessarily where it's making peak power, but it will definitely let the engine rev).

Sorry to t-off a lot of TPI owners, but TPI is for trucks.

 

You're right. But in order to do that I will have to wait a little longer. I think I'll save a lil more cash... sell my TPI then put the miniram on. I really dont feel like messing with an LT1 intake. Thanx

 

The only difference between the Performer and the Performer RPM heads is that the RPM's don't have an exhaust crossover.

 

Woo-hoo!!!

Man, they are going to declare war on you

Calling TPI a truck set-up and recommending a carb--ALL in the same post

Prepare to be labelled a heretic

 

Yeaaaaah... well hey... when you need more power you do whatever it takes (almost). I will get a MiniRam later. But to do that and AFRs is gonna cost me a small fortune. Above 2k. If just get the edelbrocks it will about 1400 which isnt too bad.

 

I currently have a carb and am going to convert to tpi? Why am I doing this? Am I crazy? Have I lost all ability to discern right from wrong?

 

When I was looking into the 6085's last year, I thought they'ed be a great match for a TPI setup. A bit more CR, small intake runners to keep the intake velocity high, and good flow numbers. Seems like a good match to a TPI setup.

 

If you have a ZZ4 motor, why don't you send those heads out for porting. LPE makes some pretty stout numbers with those heads. There's a place in Florida called CNC Heads that specializes in the Corvette aluminum heads. I had the Edelbrock RPM angle plugs on my 383. They worked well once I put close to $800 dollars worth of work in them.
www.geocities.com/dzperf

 

How did they perform w/out the 800 work done to them ??

 

Actually, I sent them out for porting before I put them on the car. The flow numbers were a little weak for my 383. I do have a friend with a 69 Camaro. It has a Lingenfelter 350 short block with out of the box Edelbrock RPM angle plugs. His car runs extremely well! I have just learned over the years that good port work really makes a difference between a good running motor and a great one. For your 350ci application, they will work fine.

www.geocities.com/dzperf