headers or gears for fastest 0-60

Semifast4x4 · February 5, 2003

Hello all,

I just got some tax money back and i'm lookin to burn a little bit of it. Which would help me get to 60 the fastest a set of $240 dynomax headers or some 4.11 gears?

any responses appreciated, thanks.

americanmuscleman · February 7, 2003

I'd go with some headers. I've got JBA shorties and really like 'em. They've got the factory nickel chrome plating, and have about 35k miles on them and still look good (three winters of wear and tear). Gears will probably get you faster to 60mph though, but since your truck is 4WD, you looking at replacing both your front and rear gears, seals, and installation if your not planning to install them yourself. I would guess you'll likely spend 3 times as to change gears as you would to put headers on.

I highly recommend the JBA's. The coat is great, they have really thick flanges, and fit perfectly. My only complaint is my headers don't let me remove 2 spark plugs because the flanges get in the way of using a socket. Mine are also a 3yr old design, so the new ones may not have the problem.

I say put some headers on!

americanmuscleman · February 7, 2003

By the way, its good to see someone else with a modded TBI 350! How's it run compared to stock? Did you see much of a gain with the Edelbrock intake? Are you using an adjustable fuel pressure regulator or a higher pressure fuel pump? Thanks

Semifast4x4 · February 8, 2003

Thanks, american muscle its good to see people that actually care, but to answer your questions its runs about 4-5 truck lengths faster than a 95 z71 bone stock to 70mph. An interesting point you brought up with the fuel reg. and pump, those items are still stock in my truck would it be good idea to do that, do you think I need that extra fuel? About the gain of the Intake manifold I couldn't really distinguish the difference because we installed the intake manifold, cam, and 1.6 rockers at the same time :thumb:

americanmuscleman · February 9, 2003

Semifast4x4, I'm basically in the same position. I haven't changed my fuel pump, or added an adjustable fuel pressure regulator, so I'm not sure what to tell you there. I've always wondered if it would help.

I wonder about the intake too. I've been told the stock TBI intake flows fine, but I'm not sure. Not enough people modify these engines to give me another engine to compare to.

I know I have a lot more low end torque with my setup than stock, but my top end doesn't feel very strong. I ran an identical Tahoe to mine, only it was a 96' with the vortec 350, and I lost by about 2 car lengths to 70mph.

I have a custom chip made by In-Tech (Innovative Technologies, Inc. in Fresno, CA). I've put the stock chip in, and my truck barely runs with it. Do you have an Edelbrock chip to match your cam?

How does your top end feel? My truck seems to peak in power at about 3000rpm. I've always wondered if the intake is too restrictive, or my tuning isn't perfect, or not enough fuel pressure, etc...

Semifast4x4 · February 10, 2003

Well my power doesnt really come on till about 2500rpms its something to do with the cam and 1.6 rr's it feels almost like a turbo which is pretty cool FEELING, but having to wait for that power is a real pita sometimes, and something else about those rockers and cam combo is that I have less seat of the pants lowend power and less tirespin because I have to wait to hit the "powerband".

By the way the chip I got is just your run of the mill storebought hypertech thermo-master.

My topend is extremely improved from stock my truck used to die and I mean hard after about 55-60mph it just fell flat on its face. but now it will keep pulling smooth right up to about 95 then I believe those wonderful brick like aerodynamics of a 4X4 really start to shine 'cause the pull til i shut her down at about 120 is ever so slow.

cyrylyn · February 10, 2003

New rear end gears and headers are on my list, but new front and rear bumpers are the next items.. I think I'd recommend a higher stall torque converter, unless you go offroading - it'll let you wind up to 2500 RPM before engaging, should give you better launches.

americanmuscleman · February 10, 2003

Semifast4x4, your running stock heads right?

Thats nuts, because my truck is the other way around. So much low end power, but it peaks at about 3000rpm! I spin the tires so much easier at low rpm with this cam and heads combo than I did with the stock setup. Thats funny.

ByUBlue · February 28, 2003

American and Semi...I have an early 90's truck w/TBI and saw your questions about the FPR and throttle body.

I have an adjustable FPR and it made a HUGE difference. My truck pulls through 4500 rpm now when it used to die at 3500...big difference!

I modified my throttle body (removed the ridges from around the air inlets and opened up the tops more), made my fuel pressure regulator adjustable, and installed an injector tower spacer, ...these two mods together will make a MAJOR difference!

Up to 70 or 80, my truck will burn a 454ss by 3 lengths! (I have proved this twice, and the looks on thier faces were priceless.)

americanmuscleman · March 2, 2003

Cool! I may have to install an adjustable fuel pressure regulator then! I've got an injector spacer installed right now. I have a T&D 1" throttle body spacer, but when I installed it, I couldn't get my fuel lines to reach the throttle body, so I took it off. I guess T&D makes fuel line extensions, I just haven't gotten around to ordering any. I'll probably order an adjustable fuel pressure regulator this week and try it out.

While I had my engine part I went ahead and installed an Edelbrock Performer TBI intake manifold (PN# 3704). I haven't gotten a chance to try it out yet, but it looks like it probably flows better than the stocker.

I priced an MSD performance replacement distributor for these TBI trucks, and its almost $300. I decided to skip that, and keep a stocker.

ByUBlue · March 3, 2003

There is a bracket that your fuel line runs through on the drivers side to the right of your distributor. It is really hard to get to with a normal wrench, but if you will remove the bolt (you don't really need it, cause the fuel lines are not long enough to go anywhere) you will have the space you need to put your spacer on...piece of cake! Just follow the fuel lines down with your hand. If you need any more help let me know.

Just so you know it will fit, I put an inch and a half spacer on mine! Had to raise the throttle linkage though so my truck would idle right...but between the intake, K&N filter, spacer, and adjustable FPR....it's a totally different truck!

DO IT!!!

americanmuscleman · March 3, 2003

ByUBlue, thanks for your help! I worked on loosening that fuel line bolt you were talking about, and I think I got it free, but my fuel lines were hitting the cab, and not giving me enough room. I just gave up on it.

I have always wondered why my truck doesn't have a strong top end on it. Hopefully a fuel pressure regulator will help it out! I'll try to order one of those this week and see how that goes!

As far as the spacer goes, I know I'll have to make some throttle cable linkage and cruise control cable adjustments. I already had to adjust mine for the Edelbrock intake.

I haven't looked yet, but to tighten the cruise control linkage that hooks to the throttle body, is there an adjustment in the cab? It seems like its got a little slack in it, and it would probably be good to remove that.

americanmuscleman · March 4, 2003

I ordered a Jet AFPR today from Summit Racing, so hopefully that will be here this weekend for me to try out.

BiltChevy4x4 · March 5, 2003

headers wont add alot of horsies unless you free up the whole exhaust system, Headers also add more power at higher rpms because you are reducing the amount of back pressure your engine produces with a stock system, so it wont help alot for that initial surge. Gears would be your best bet for an instant noticeable increase in off the line performance.

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