Help me plan my new combo please..

[Adrian87]

Basically, I don't plan to go to the strip that much, but I want a good street car that can run around 116 or so in the 1/4. I have a Propane kit I plan to install as well. If possible I'd like to use stock heads, and a Dutt neck at most. I already have a decent fuel system/exhaust/turbo. I've been out of TR's for about 2 years now, mine has just been sitting while I've been into the Trans Am alot over the last year. I'm ready to get this thing on the road again. Already looking at a nice shortblock around $2k, very well built with billet caps, etc, and another stock type rebuild nice longblock for around the same price. Shoot some ideas at me. I need to keep the price reasonable, that's why I plan to use my current turbo/exhaust/ic/converter, I think with these parts and the propane kit it should get me close. The trans won't shift out of 2nd gear at WOT so I'm scared that I will have to send it back to TCI and freshen it up. It never has worked right since I bought it, but it was second hand. I would like it to make as much power as the TA, and the price on the longblock looks good, but it has cast pistons. Built by Lonnie Diers. The other shortblock is pretty beefed up, and if I bought an engine like it I would feel like it would be stupid to put stock heads on it. Thanks

 

[Adrian87]

No one has any thoughts/suggestions?

 

[wants a tr]

get a front mount.you can do it with a stock IC but it will be harder..throw that TCI in the trash...call vince janis or Len out in vegas and get a real tranny.

do you want a car that runs 116 at 20lbs of boost or 116 at 25+ lbs of boost?

there is a big difference in those...

 

[Adrian87]

I think I will go with a front mount. I will also have a Propane kit on the car. I want to run 115 on 18 psi and if I turn it up to 26psi hit about 125 or so. Is this doable? I think I might try to spring for a set of used Champions. How much is my TE62 going to hold me back? I know it's older tech. Can I send my TCI to Janis to have it built? That might be a better idea, already have a good converter.

 

[Evaddave 87gn]

TCi Tranny

I bought one as well, and was never happy with it. I sold it and am currently saving for a PTS unit.

 

[wants a tr]

IMO if ever want to run more than 120 mph you'll have to get a set of champion or ported irons of some nature.

You can call and talk to Vince...he's a super nice guy. I'm sure he'd answer all of your ?s.

Stock caps are ok if you plan to stay below 120 mph...Id also suggest a roller cam, if you have the cash. I went thru 3 flat tappets..not saying they dont work...i just had some bad luck.

I say give the turbo a shot...then if you think its holding you back...get a newer one.

It starts to add up quick...get ready!!

 

[Adrian87]

I do want to be able to go above 120mph, and I think I will try to find a used set of ported Champion irons. The shortblock I am looking at already has billet caps and a nice Comp Cam, but I have an outlet for a brand new roller Comp setup for around $470, so I am considering that.

 

[Adrian87]

Do stock rockers break with a roller cam setup?

 

[wants a tr]

i had 2 shafts break with my flat tappet cam...rollers would be a good investment for what your looking to do. Its a PITA if a shaft breaks. It spit a lifter both times mine broke so i had to pull the intake...grrr

If you buy rollers you'll need VC spacers or taller VCs..

 

[TurboTnZ06]

I'm using only bowl ported iron 8445 (stock) with stock sized valves, stock sized ports and trapping 125+ at only 24-26 psi boost. I didn't even touch the intake runners. Granted, the bowl porting was extensive and done well. I think the bowl area is where you can do well to pick up some mph over the stock casting.

You'll want forged pistons and at least main caps or a girdle to be on the safe side.

>50# injectors to trap >115. I hit 115 once on 37# injectors, so that is pretty much maxed out.

I'd say the stock cam is fine for what you want. I love my billet 210/210 hyd roller tho ANd I'm usign stock rockers and shafts. They have over 200,000 miles on them. Now that I say that they are going to break next week...

 

[Danster]

I'm using only bowl ported iron 8445 (stock) with stock sized valves, stock sized ports and trapping 125+ at only 24-26 psi boost. I didn't even touch the intake runners. Granted, the bowl porting was extensive and done well. I think the bowl area is where you can do well to pick up some mph over the stock casting.

You'll want forged pistons and at least main caps or a girdle to be on the safe side.

>50# injectors to trap >115. I hit 115 once on 37# injectors, so that is pretty much maxed out.

I'd say the stock cam is fine for what you want. I love my billet 210/210 hyd roller tho ANd I'm usign stock rockers and shafts. They have over 200,000 miles on them. Now that I say that they are going to break next week...

Who did the bowl work? I hear many times, just working in the bowl area can do a lot. I have all stock internals but want to reach a little higher MPH.

TIA!

Dannyo

 

[Adrian87]

Ok, I think I have it figured out now. I'm going to go with the built shortblock that has the billet caps and forged TRW's, ductile iron roller cam (suggest specs?), Champion CNC heads, T&D roller rockers, beehive springs, upgrade my TE62 to ??, and a FMIC of some sort. Care to make any suggestions on the IC, turbo, and cam specs? I want to dip into the 10's if I need to crank it up, but it will mostly be a street car, running 93 octane and Propane. Hopefully be a 118mph car in street trim, all the time, maybe 120. Is this pushing it too much? (I had a slight budget increase) Is my exhaust or fuel system going to hold me back much?

 

[wants a tr]

Ok, I think I have it figured out now. I'm going to go with the built shortblock that has the billet caps and forged TRW's, ductile iron roller cam (suggest specs?), Champion CNC heads, T&D roller rockers, beehive springs, upgrade my TE62 to ??, and a FMIC of some sort. Care to make any suggestions on the IC, turbo, and cam specs? I want to dip into the 10's if I need to crank it up, but it will mostly be a street car, running 93 octane and Propane. Hopefully be a 118mph car in street trim, all the time, maybe 120. Is this pushing it too much? (I had a slight budget increase) Is my exhaust or fuel system going to hold me back much?

here's my combo..

Iron Champions
Ported Intake
Center Billet Caps
Wiseco Forged Pistons - .020 over
Felpro HG's
Arp Everything - Head Studs
T&D Rollers
212/212 Comp Roller
v2 FM IC
3 inch THDP
Limit 67 turbo
Precision 32/3400 multi disk lock up
Janis tranny - billet input shaft - broke stocker
75 lb injs - only went that big to run the ME-R
Double Pumpers

I have only taken the car out 2 times where i've had it running 'right' with no problems...each time it keeps picking up a few mph...first out...118 mph...then 119.9...then 121 then 123...not changing the boost just adjusting
fuel thru the ME-R..

I know guys with almost the same combo as mine running 126 to 129 mph...

I drive my car alot...and it drives fine...only thing i dont like are the 75s and no factory lockup with the ME-R...other than that its beautiful...

good luck and keep us updated....