I just can't leave well enough alone. I'm regretting getting the 260 hp crate engine from Jegs last year. I guess I've been looking at too many episodes of Street Outlaws, but I want more power. I came across the link below and using the same engine they bumped the power up considerably with heads and a cam swap. http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/...head-shootout/ I came across a set of the Patriot (now Promaxx) aluminum heads mentioned in the write up for $500. Although they scored very well in the article I'm finding mixed reviews other places. Anybody using them? I've been on the phone with the Jegs techs and with a Comp cam, heads and the hi- flo Edelbrock tpi setup I'm using they say I can have a major increase in hp.
Can't help you with this one but I think checking out as you are doing is way better than regrets later. We used Brodix on our circle track cars and AFS (Air Flow Specialties) on the pull trucks/tractors and boats. I've heard Patriot gives a lot of bang for the buck but have no personal experience. Would be interesting to hook one up to the flow bench and see how it compares to the $$$ ones.
More Power. It's a slippery slope. Where does one stop, once they start down it? (I am holding back with all my might. I have plenty of will power, it's my won't that's weak.) Since you are driving your truck, you have checked off the ever-important "I have driven it" line on the list of reasons why you can justify the need for more power. What a beautiful thing. Enjoy!
Another option. Aerohead RacingChevrolet Heads | I am in the market for a set of heads and found these.
Good flowing heads, the right cam, along with good headers should transform that engine. I think good heads are the best bang for the buck, when hot rodding. Steve.
I highly agree that head work gives the very best bang for the buck and as soon as I ever , even once , see a V8 equipped truck keep up with my old InLine 6 Banger in the twisty bits , I'll consider a V8 engine . No, I won't either ~ I'll go home and have a good sulk ( ) then go back to driving it as is as I like it .
Well I missed out on the heads so I'm focusing on the front end for now. I want to lower it a bit more and run bigger tires but the scrub line on my current configuration prohibits that so I opted for a Mustang II. Bought a bolt on crossmember and components and started the tear down yesterday. I'll probably start a new thread detailing my efforts if anyone's interested. Nate, if the 235 that came with the truck hadn't gave up the ghost it would have been topped with dual carbs and backed up by a T-5 tranny!
PLEASE do this, Robert! Not all of us are welders, and if I was to ever swap the front suspension, this would be the way I would go! We look forward to seeing the progress!
Oh yeah Robert ~ I'm neither a Welder nor a Hot Rodder but the ' How - To ' threads with lots of pictures and discussion of ideas , what worked , what didn't and sometimes a simple " I did this because it's MY TRUCK and I like it this way " is hard to beat . Everyone needs to read and learn .
Nate, You hit the nail on the head. Even if I never plan on the modification in any given thread, I greatly enjoy seeing how others arrive at their dream truck. I can't begin to list all the cool ideas I have seen in threads that weren't doing what I'd do to my vehicle. Proceed!
So I missed out on the Patriot heads, but found an even better deal on a set of aluminum generation II LT1 off of a corvette, but I'm confused. I did a bit of research, much of which says that they won't work because water passages won't line up. But Two local machine shops say they will. Anyone got any concrete evidence either way?
A quick surf on the interwebs netted me this: Gen 2 heads will bolt to a Gen 1 block but the coolant passages around cylinders 1 and 7, 2 and 8 will not match the block leaving a coolant leakage path into the valley. The information I found on the subject went on to discuss how a brand new head (be it GM or aftermarket) would offer better performance for less $$ than trying to cobble the GEN 2 head onto the GEN 1 block. But Nate certainly hit the nail on the head... A quick look at gaskets will tell all.
Well that's what I thought as well but again, I'm getting conflicting info. Everything I'm finding online says they won't work because of the coolant passages, but the seller adamantly says the gasket lines up and a reputable shop says the same thing. I've not laid eyes on them personally but I'm thinking I'm just gonna steer clear.
The first thing I'd do is set GOALS. Exactly how much HP/TQ are you looking for? Low end grunt or top end scream? Lumpy or smooth? (idle, not oatmeal!) And the all important budget considerations. The best course of action, once you have "established your target" may be to find a reputable local purveyor of speed parts and sit down with them, with your Tire diameter/rear end ratio/transmission type/weight of vehicle/torque converter stall speed in hand, and go from there. In my admittedly limited time spent in the local speed shop, I realized right off the prices were exactly in line with the big online speed part merchants. Being local isn't enough anymore, you have to be competitive as well. And if they try to steer you into a 9-second drag truck, walk away (unless that IS what you want, and all I ask is LOTS of pictures!).
As it turns out, I'm not going to do much of anything at the moment besides finishing up the MMII front suspension. We're looking for a house right now so that takes priority. I may revisit the issue at a later date, but when it's up & going again I'm just gonna drive the heck out of it!
Excellent plan! Just make sure the house you select has adequate garage/shop space (or room for it to be added). I fondly recall pre-economic downturn ads in Hot Rod Magazine for homes that featured 3-bay garages, with a lift (for the HotRod Lifestyle). I'll admit I am designing the KITCHEN for my future home first, with the multi-bay, lift-equipped "shop" design to follow shortly after (a man can't wrench on an empty stomach).
That's the plan! As I search the real-estate sites, I bypass anything without at least a two car garage!
