Guys, I got my car running pretty good with my baby cam and bolt-ons in the signature. I thought this would tide me over for awhile, but I keep thinking about either adding heads or getting a new rear end with 4.10s, probably 12-bolt since I'm a street car.

I respect the knowledge and opinions around here, so what should I do first? If heads, what is the best setup to go with my TR224/224 112LSA? I've narrowed it down to AFR or TEA, but I'm open for suggestions. Or should I just get a new rearend first? I like the idea of making more power with better heads, but 4.10s could be a lot of fun too. What do you think, heads or rearend first?

 

Exercise self control and replace the 10 bolt..... in the great scheme of things it would be the wisest move..... I should practice what I preach

 

I had a exhaust and broke the stock 10 bolt twice. I would imagine that if i had a cam and heads it would have broke even faster. If u can kep from launchin the car u can stick with teh stocker for a while longer. But if launching and dragracing are a part of the routine then its definatly rearend time.
On another note i never understood why people got heads liek teh AFR's adn the TEA's as they are 2k adn that is money that could be spent somewhere else to make the car faster that woudl have made a much larger impact. Like if u can pull and engine and get it machined adn then toss all teh new internals in u could have a engine that can handle 1k hp for less then it costs for the heads. Just somethign to think about when u are laying there in bed at night. Sleepless cause u can only think of CI and CR. lol. GL man in ur pursuit of speed!!!


John

 

You guys are the voice of reason, but the new heads are pretty tempting.

99SS-T, I wasn't sure exactly what you meant about pulling the engine, machining, and tossing in new internals. You mean preparing the engine for something like a blower? Also what's CI and CR?

Thanks.

 

Since you've replaced the cam, there is probably more power to be had in porting the heads than in anything else you could do. TEA has a great price on a stage one set-up. Replacing the rear end depends on your driving style. If you're launching the car hard all of the time, you'll break something eventually.

 

I hear ya man. If I chill out on the launching I can get the heads first. I'm gonna get a new rear end eventually, I just can't afford both at the same time. If I get heads first, I can get a little more use out of my 10 bolt before replacing it.

Thanks.

 

im in the same boat as you...im going to do rear first though. im making enough power to keep me busy for a while, and i know if i get heads, and then break a rear...i wont have enough money to fix it. so i figure do the rear first, then later on do heads.

 

99, that's definately the smartest route to go, but the seduction of extra hp is tough to ignore. The 4.10s could be fun though with the power you already got. Tough call.

 

if i go 12 bolt, ill most likely get 4.10s. i would love to have new heads, but the smartest route for me to go is rear

 

Swapping in 4.10s made a bigger seat of the pants difference in normal driving than even doing a cam did for me. 4.10s are definately a lot of fun. With the cam, youll make the 4.10s shine even more. If youre more occupied with having fun on the street vs. dyno numbers, doing the rear is the easy choice, IMO.

 

That's interesting man, I appreciate it. I wasn't sure if that was true. Now I'm definitely leaning towards the rear end. It seems I can kill two birds with one stone doing the rear end, not only will it seem like I increased performance, but I'll also be strengthening a weak link. Doing heads, even if I pick up 40-45 hp, I'm still gonna have 3.42s, plus a weak rearend.

From where I stand now, it looks like rearend.

Thanks for the help!

 

Just get ready to buy some tires. Traction will be a much greater issue with 20% more applied torque. Youll definately find yourself feathering the throttle a lot more on launch and even between shifts if you run street tires. Also get ready to shift a lot more. All your cruise speeds will be in the next gear up from where they were. I use 6th gear at 50 mph. When you first do it, the gears come up so quick, it takes a little bit to get yourself adjusted. Once you do, the extra kick is huge. Like driving a whole new car.

 

couldnt have said it better myself.

 

Thanks GB, I think I can live with that. I've always been disappointed with the 3.42s. They're sluggish off the line, and 6th gear is practically worthless to me. I'm sold on the rearend. Glad I posted. Now if I could just decide between 12 bolt or 9 bolt, Strange or Moser. Thanks!

 

If you do only highway racing from 2nd gear or higher you will be fine with the 10-bolt and I'd get the heads. If you do anything from a dig, don't even consider getting heads before the 12-bolt/9" I'd get the 9" with a strange center section.

 

If you can only do one, do the rear first.

 

Thanks 777, Never heard of a 9" with a Strange center section. Can you buy one of those from any of the sponsors? Maybe provide a link?

Thanks Sled, amit.

 

www.billingsleyracing.com should be able to set you up. I don't know if it's on their site, but you can get a 9" with a strange center. The strange center's usually have less noise for some reason.

 

Thanks 777, appreciate the link. I'll contact them when I'm ready to buy.

 

People seem to have horror stories about breaking the 10 bolts, but(knock on wood) I have beat the **** out of it with north of 400rwhp and not had a problem yet. I dont launch it though. Guess it just depends on what you plan on doing.

Brandon