Number One Upgrade?

[HarryH3]

You can get a cam with lifters for $150 or so. The right cam will totally change the characteristics of your engine. Of course, since you have to remove the intake anyway to get to the lifters, you might as well swap that too while you have it apart. Then you can get into headers and even better flowing heads. Its when the full package is correctly matched that the engine works at its highest potential. /forums/images/icons/cool.gif

 

[reddog64]

i just got a compcam for my BBC lifters, springs all the retainers and stuff and the timing set for 260 bucks from summit! I expec a big difference in lowend HP... you want a difference, do the stuff that counts.. makwe sure it can breath (headers, exhaust, intake) then let more in with a new cam and goodies!
Or get a BBC /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[dyeager535]

Headers. Just like heads, but cheaper, you can build the motor to take advantage of them as time allows, especially ifyou buy high dollar ones, yet still feel the power they add from thet get-go. I'm going to go out on a limb and say headers will give you 15HP MINIMUM, even on a 305.

According to my dyno program they hurt low end a bit, but the ease of the swap, and the increase you see makes it worth it.

Most everything else "bolt on" doesn't make enough change to be worth it IMO.

For all the MSD runners, I'm running .050 on stock HEI (cap, coil, rotor, module, etc) and it's running fine. Same setup GM runs at .060 as well.

 

[morphed86k10]

for my 454 I'm going to put some thorleys and an upgraded ignition system on it first, then by the end of summer an intake, cam, and some valvetrain improvements. I'm still considering some heads (like edelbrock or merlin) but I'm not sure I'd see that much of an improvment in the low end to justify a few grand. We'll see how kind summer work is, I suppose.

 

[shoeless]

Just like heads


You mean exhaust manifolds?

 

[dyeager535]

No, I mean you could put good heads on the motor, and as time/money allows, swap cams, swap exhaust, swap intake, etc., but still take advantage of the heads before swapping everything else. The gains won't be as large at first, but there will still be some.

With headers, you can utilize them right off the bat, yet later on when you decide to go with better flowing heads, a better intake, better cam, etc., the headers will make even MORE of a difference.

 

[kilroy]

I know my next upgrade is going to be the Exhaust system. Does any know of a good manufacture of site to find a complete system, to include Headers, Duel exhaust with cross over and high flow cats and mufflers (street legalish)

 

[reddog64]

go to the local guy's and get it done custom... much better job that way, and no clamps to get hung up on...
I paid 550 for dual 3inch with 40 series flowmasters, liftiome on the piping

 

[shoeless]

Gotcha now.......misread it.