Everyone,

Since I am putting down some huge bucks for an MTI 422 (and will thus have to be a servant to my wife for quite awhile), I wanted to get a little feedback to see if there is anything with this setup I might want to change. I do not want to have to undo stuff after this amount of money.

Basically, I want a street monster that is a daily driver but does see some limited track action. I am getting/putting in:

MTI 422 with Stage III LS6 heads
LS6 intake
R1 cam (232/237, 0.560 max lift, 114 LSA)
FLP headers with custom 3-inch Y-pipe/Carsound cats
Corsa catback and a cutout
12-bolt rearend with 3.73 gears
McLeod twin-disk clutch
Chromolly driveshaft
A bunch of suspension stuff (Panhard, LCAs, etc.)

I cannot change the engine/heads/rearend, but can still change the cam, exhaust, and clutch. Does anyone have any advice or experience with a setup like this? Any recommendations?

I should add that much of this has been suggested by MTI. They have been great to work with so far - I've been impressed.

 

<img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0"> <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0"> <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0"> thats all i can say. I'm not sure about the cam/exhaust though

-Ryan

 

I would work on a little bigger cam....

I'm sure you have invested in a good clutch right?

 

I would add a Mcleod Adjustable master cylinder to that list, and take the Corsa off. Your Hooker is good . <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0">

[ January 06, 2002: Message edited by: Jsears8 ]</p>

 

I agree with Justin said. The Hooker catback will work just as good, if not better than the Corsa. A cutout is still a good idea.

A few things to add (if you don't already have them):

- ported TB
- ASP crank pulley

 

Sounds great!

I think either catback will be somewhat loud.

Good luck!

I have about 4000 miles on my 422ci from ARE.

 

Thanks for the reply guys. This site is the best!!

BIGBOS - I'm getting the McLeod twin. Should probably be able to hold the power. I am not sure about the cam, though. I have a very good idea about what works well on stock displacement, but not once the cubes are upped. I'm hoping for a little Nineball input here . . .

Jsears8 - forgot to include that I am adding the adjustable master cylinder, a must for any serious clutch.

Jason99T/A - forgot to list that I was also adding the pulley. Did not think about a ported TB, though - probably should add that.

Everyone - sure that the Hooker flows that well? I love the sound of it, but did not think it was the world's best quality when I put it on. I already have some rust on it, and a dent in the Mandrel-bent tubing because I had to bang the sh*t out of the thing when I got it because it was not bent right.

Pro Stock John - 422's are kind of fun, aren't they <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0"> Like it as a daily driver?

 

I only gained 2-3rwhp dropping the muffler on my bolt on setup. Justin (Jsears8) gained 5rwhp on his cam only setup by doing the same. I think the muffler flows very well and is one of the better flowing LS1 catbacks.

 

I think you have a very nice combo. You could go bigger on the cam for more top end but it won't be as nice to drive around. I'm sure MTI has done their homework on that cam for the 422.

 

[quote]Originally posted by WeatherGuy:
<strong>I am not sure about the cam, though. I have a very good idea about what works well on stock displacement, but not once the cubes are upped. I'm hoping for a little Nineball input here . . .
</strong><hr></blockquote>

That cam will sound basically stock on that big cubed motor. I would personally go with something more aggressive. Probably more like a 236/240 or so, with .580+ lift (check on piston clearance with those Stage III heads and the high lift, though).

As far as the exhaust goes, if you're getting the custom 3" y-pipe, you'd probably get better flow from a 3.5" exhaust. Two 3" pipes going into one 3" pipe sounds kind of restrictive.

<img src="graemlins/camaro.gif" border="0" alt="[Chevrolet]" />

 

Carlitos has a good idea. On my solid roller setup, I had a 3" y-pipe into a Flowmaster 3.5" Flowmaster collector. From there I had a 3.5" cutout into a 3.5" Mufflex. The Mufflex sounded great, but just didn't flow too well. I picked up 15rwhp/14rwtq by opening the cutout. You will see even bigger gains on a motor of that size.

If you are trying to keep it quiet for the street and don't mind giving up some HP/TQ when running through the exhaust:

3" y-pipe
3.5" Flowmaster collector
3.5" cutout
3.5" --> 3.0" reducer
3" SLP dual/dual

This will be super quiet on the street. If you want to be louder around town and especially at WOT, just skip the reducer part and put a 3.5" Mufflex on there. Just make sure you get it welded up. Those 3.5" pipes don't respond well to band clamps. <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0"> LOL Heck, Flowmaster makes a 3" into a 4" collector and Mufflex also makes a 4" catback. Either one will work fine..

I would at least do the 3.5" collector and a 3.5" cutout. Then decide what size catback you want to run. Just purchase the reducer if you decide to keep a 3" catback.

 

How much is the motor alone going to cost you?

 

Thanks again guys. Appreciate the info - I incidentally have had the 3.5" collector/cutout recommended to me before, but did not know what to do with the exhaust past that.

SuperSport2000 - email me for the pricing, or contact MTI directly.

 

I know this will be your daily-driver, so don't mess with the cam specs. It will lope plenty and still sound great. Several MTI 422ci motors have pulled 490-510 rwhp with the same cam, its the most common one they use for guys wanting a balance of performance and drivability. Jason98TA ran 10.89 @ 126 on his very first visit to the track with this exact same setup, and his car is a TANK. I think he would tell you to leave it alone too.

The Hooker is okay performance-wise, but I think its ugly. I'd only change to a Corsa for aesthetic reasons. Its very nice looking. If you want to keep the car more quiet, do exactly what Jason suggests:

3" y-pipe
3.5" Flowmaster collector
3.5" cutout
3.5" --> 3.0" reducer
3" SLP dual/dual

That setup is just about perfect, and is what I will probably do after I put the new motor in. I hate loud cars on the street, and the SLP flows well, looks nice, and is quiet!

With some slicks and some practice driving this beast, you will be all up in the 10s no problem. That is FAST for a daily-driver. DJ99SS has the same motor as you and ran 11.08 on his first visit, and that was with a slammed road-racing suspension and stock SS rims up front, with no weight removed. It was also thru the muffler!

Tony

 

I dont think the Corsa idea is so bad. I had the Hooker (sounded great and made incredible #s), but it was not stainless and didnt look as good as the Corsa does. According to other folks, the Corsa sounds and performs really nicely, an dits stainless adn looks great.

I would also stick with the cam you have listed (R1). No need to go bigger. Torque is FUN <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0"> .

Enjoy the motor. Many of us would LOVE to be in your shoes.

chris
(stop by and say hi to my car for me, its the Pewter SS (SS2XS) at MTI. Its been there for awhile :-/ )

 

Speaking from experience the R1 is does not sound nearly stock in that big a motor! Don't change the cam one bit. I agree on the LS6 heads, if I keep the car I will be going with LS6 heads & direct port in the next month or two. Gotta change something so I dont get bored & try to sell her again. It all depends on if I sell the TA..

Stay R1 its a great cam!

Jason

 

Once again, thanks for the replys. This board rocks <img src="graemlins/gr_hail.gif" border="0" alt="[hail]" /> <img src="graemlins/gr_hail.gif" border="0" alt="[hail]" />

Overall, based on the feedback, I think I'll leave the cam alone. 490-510 RWHP is enough for a daily driver (until I retire the car from the street and add nitrous or a blower <img src="graemlins/gr_devil.gif" border="0" alt="[devil]" /> ). I will also definitely do the 3.5" collector with 3.5" cutout. For a catback, I am still undecided but will check into both the Mufflex and SLP dual/dual as a few suggested. BTW - I'm surprised no one tried to talk me out of the McLeod twin for a Cartek.

Also,

Jason99T/A and NineBall (NineSec??) - thanks for the lengthy replies. Appreciated very much (and not intended in the leghumper sense).

Visceral - I will say Hi to the car, and maybe joyride a little (not!). Seriously, I'm glad to be in the position I'm in - only 2 years ago I was a broke college student driving a POS '90 Escort. I used to get sick with envy everytime I saw an F-Body when I was driving that POS.

Jason 98 T A - did you mean the cam sounds lumpy or stock? I couldn't tell from what you wrote. And you ran a 10.89 on your first track trip with the car? Holy s**t! Was that on LS1 heads?

 

Jason picked up his car on a trailer and headed thru San Antonio and stopped off at River City and ran 10.89 with less than 1 mile on the motor (dyno runs haha). His car is on slicks though, and yes he only has LS1 heads right now. And like I said, the car is a TANK and had no weight removed.

He didn't think he would run 10s, I told him he was nuts. I'm sure he was glad I was correct LOL!

The R1 cam does NOT sound stock in a 422. It sounds perfect to me. Lope sound will depend highly on how loud your catback is.

Tony