You will definitely need to use something other than the stock intake to make that power. Again, the LT1 intake is a good design but you will have to resolve the reverse flow cooling issues to adapt it to L98 duty. Then, I would certainly have it port matched to the heads to ensure the transition is correct.

GM also makes an intake that looks like an LT1 or TPIS Mini Ram. It's called the Ram Jet (part # 12489371)...comes on the Ram Jet 350 crate engine. You would need the throttle body for this intake also as it uses a single blade version (like the LS1 or Ford) verses the 2 blade deal on the L98. I don't know the price and you don't see them everywhere, but that would be another option for you in the intake department that should make the power he wants.

Speaking of throttle bodies, if you go with either the LT1 or the TPIS Mini Ram, plan on getting a 52mm (2 blade) version from BBK, Edelbrock or somebody.

The stock block will handle that power with no problems...assuming it's in good shape. You're only talking about 375-400rwhp tranny depending. No need for anything fancy i.e. 4 bolt mains and stuff.


My advice is still to slap the carb'd setup on that bitch....your talking less money, way less work and probably more pwer for your time/dollar.

 

Godo advice, either me or Bryan will relay that to him, but I've got to make one thing clear. Money isn't an issue (within reason). He wants the most streetable, clean, and efficent combo he can get, and really doesn't give a shit how much he spends on it.

 

Wow, thanks for all the help. I think I'm gonna go this route.

TPiS Mini-Ram Intake Manifold w/fuel rails
58mm Throttle Body
?# Injectors
Fuel Pump
Ported L98 Stock Aluminum Heads
TPiS Hydraulic Roller Cam
Stock Crank
Stock Block

...but I'm not sure about the pistons yet.

 

I think you are on the right course. The stock crank and block will be fine. The heads will need to be worked nicely, but if done well will be fine for what you want. (remember the heads will make or break the entire combo...so make sure you have them done by someone who knows their shit) 30# injectors should be plenty and give you some leg room. Be carefull with the 58mm throttle body. You can probably make just as much power with the 52mm version, but have better throttle response, drivability....etc. Something to think about along those lines; a 70mm factory LS1 throttle body has less cross sectional area than a 52mm twin blade like you need. And you know how much power guys make with the stock LS1 TB!

Just get some off the shelf flat top .030" over pistons from Ross or JE. When you have the machine work done on the block, make sure it is zero decked with the pistons, rods a crank you are going to use. Then have the heads milled (or opened up, whichever) so that you get around 10.5-10.75:1 with a .040" thick head gasket. Don't get greedy with the compresion ratio. The head/chamber design of the L98 heads won't allow you to get away with compression ratios like that of the newer stuff. (not to mention the older batch fire computer system with knock sensors that aren't as good)

One more thing. Within reason, the bigger the header primary, the better. Either 1 3/4" or 1 7/8" primaries (or a stepped version of both sizes) would be great. Don't settle for 1 5/8". And put a good true 3" dual exhaust system on it - preferably with an x pipe. You will be glad you did all this down the road if nitrous comes into the picture.

 

The LT1 Swap is a pain in the ass with all the cooling changes. I did a little research and you have to use a remote thermostat and something about reverse flow.

 

I did some more research, but it's still a sloppy converstion. Check out this guy's site.
http://www.lt1intake.com/swapping.htm

 

I'm trying to decide what to buy

SuperRam
MiniRam
or
just large tube runners and a high flow lower manifold and a ported upper

ps - it's a L98 TPI Corvette in need of some O2.

 

SuperRam = pain in the ass

Large tube runners...etc = going to be hard to make your HP goals with that setup...it's not that big of an improvement over stock.

MiniRam = no brainer chioce of these three options

 

what about all the stuff I read about the loss of low-end torque?

 

this is what I might buy