opinions?

[427belair]

So I have a 13.5 555bbc with a 1.8 glide, 4.3 gear on 28x10.5's in a 3200lbs nova. Im tring to sell my top end dart 345 w/ jesel shafts and dart manifold (no Im not tring to sell them here), but havent goten much intrest. So Im thinking about a new cam around 285/295 @.50 and .800 lift. to go along with that a new intake? and a plate system. Im looking for opinions on the manifold and the plate system. I have ZERO experence with nitrous, so Im looking for something that is pretty simple. Im only going to be spraying abound a 150-200 shot in the 1/8 for some index racing. Also who do you like for a cam guy? What has worked for you?


Thanks Jason

[John_Heard]

You might want to look at the Pro-Filer Sniper intake, they make a version that is trace cut to fit the 335 Dart head pn 206-9D, not sure how much diff there is between the 335 and 345's, but the Sniper is a good intake. Pro-Filer is also working on a new CNC twisted port for their 24 degree heads that is supposed to be Killer. It's not out yet but will be soon.

I've had real good luck with just a plain old NOS Big shot plate, very simple and you can pick them up used for a very reasonable price. If you're not planning on spraying more than 300, that's not a bad plate. If you think you may want to use more than that you ought to look at a double cross design, NOS or the Edelbrock / Steve Johnson setup. A lot of people like the speedtech diffuser plate also.

Are you looking for a custom grind on the cam? I've used Harold Brookshire, but he's difficult to get ahold of and return calls, I was happy with the cam he designed for me though. If you're looking for a recommendation for an off the shelf cam, try Mike Stark at http://www.cfmperformance.com or John Lukovich at http://www.lukovichracing.com


Disclaimer - Lukovich, Pro Filer and CFM are clients of mine so I am a bit biased.

[427belair]

Thanks John, I was looking at the sniper/sniper jr. Ive been told that the sniper will be too big for my combo as I dont spin it very hard and I would hate to waste $500. I am tring to do these changes with better heads in mind down the road.Is the sniper that much better than a super victor? I'll see if I can find a big shot plate, what do you think of the edelbrock rpm plate? I know everyone says they arent going to spray anymore than a 150ish shot but I think I would have to change converters and defenitly gears to spray the 1/4. btw I dont mind suggesting clients as long as you belive in their products.
Thanks again

[John_Heard]

Guess it depends on what your current heads flow, and how tight you spin it for one thing. The Sniper might be too big, I imagine if you called Pro-Filer they would recommend the Sniper Jr. You hear a LOT of different opinions on intakes, I do know that dyno testing has shown the Sniper is pretty darn good. Is it better than a ported Super Vic? Hard to say, guess it depends on the porter but the idea with the Sniper/Sniper Jr. is that it doesn't require anything but a port match whereas most would agree the Super Vic would require some work to be in the same league.

I hear a lot of satisfied customers that run the Edelbrock plate. In fact that's what won the plate shootout race down in Tulsa this year, mostly Steve Johnson setups. For customer service, Steve seems to do extemelly well. You might also want to talk to Monte Smith, he's got some real good solutions. Remember a lot of what you're paying for with those guys is exceptional tech support that you don't get purchasing from Jegs. Dave Koehler is a very good guy to deal with and you should also consider him if you're looking at something of a more high hp setup.

You can spray quite a bit on a single bar big shot plate and when you are ready to step up, it's easy to sell to someone else and get most of your money back out of it. For 300 hp and up yes you ought to consider a double cross or something for better distribution. Don't buy a double cross to spray 150 hp though. Unless you just want to spray a single set of bars.

[supernova]

Hey jason,
Have your heads been ported? If not I think I would invest in head work before spending more money on a new top end. Port work with a new cam would cost less and net you more power. Mike Stark at CFM has my heads right now. I should be getting them back next week.

Just a suggestion.

http://www.cfmperformance.com

[427belair]

My heads are box stock, I have priced out get them ported thou I havent checked with cfm i'll give them a call. Most of the head porters I have spoke with said I could pick up a large amount over the stock 345's. The downside from how I see things is that i spend $1200-2000+ to have my current heads done and Im still only able to make 925ish hp. I would also need to upgrade my valve springs and invest in a new manifold and cam. Now I know that peak flow isnt everything, but Ive been told that my current heads top out around 440cfm. What I am tring to do next year is run a 5.90 index and I dont think Ill be able to get there with having my heads ported, a matched manifold and cam to take advantage of the new found air flow. So my thought is to add a plate system to my car along with a manifold and cam that would still be well suited to my combo with better heads as I dont have the money to have my heads done and install nitrous this winter.
I know that It should take way less than 900hp to get a 3200lbs car to 5.90's. The track were these races are held sits over 5400' above sea level and most summer days around here are in the 85-95 degree range, so I takes a lot more power to go fast.
Ideally I want to step up to a better casting that will support more power and run the number on nuts. I have heard good things about the new profiler heads and have spent a bit of time talking with RFD about their victor head. So I am giving it till the first of the year to see if I can sell my heads or gather info about upgrading my current combo.

[555RAT]

Hey 427, I also run a 555 but with AFR 345 heads and I'm 3,000lb with a Harold Brookshire cam with 284/292 @ .050 and I run 5.70's and maybe 5.60's next year with some tuning and with NO nitrous! Those heads and the proper cam should get you to 5.90. What converter are you running?

PS. I haven't run quarter mile yet with Harolds cam so I'm expecting my signature to change by about 2 tenths!

[427belair]

Im running a hughes 9" converter that goes to 5800 on the break and I 2 step it at 5000.
Do you run at madras drag strip? Ive run our 55 street car there before.

[555RAT]

Yes, Madras is my home track. Ran 5.75 @ 119 at the nostalgia race this year. I run a hughes 9.5" with 6000+ and leave at 5400. With 200lbs difference I would think you could get to your goal with minimal changes.

[427belair]

Thats cool. Ive been meaning to get back out to Oregon to race but havent had the money. BTW I run 3.5 to 4 tenths slower in Montana than I did at Madras.

[427belair]

Also I run 6.30's at the track were I want to do the index. So I need to pick up almost .5 to be able to be competitive. Thanks Jason.

[supernova]

Also I run 6.30's at the track were I want to do the index. So I need to pick up almost .5 to be able to be competitive. Thanks Jason.

I think it can be done with some head work and a little juice!!!!! Your converter will need to be tighter though...... I run a Hughes 9" 5500 rpm on the juice.....

[427belair]

Well I came across a good deal on a Comp cam, Im going to give it a try. 4/7 swap 281/292@.50 .824/.800 lift on 112cl. What do you guys think?

[supernova]

Well I came across a good deal on a Comp cam, Im going to give it a try. 4/7 swap 281/292@.50 .824/.800 lift on 112cl. What do you guys think?

It looks good. Think about putting it in 2 degs advanced. Should work.
Have you called CFM yet?