Custom HCI with more power than a TFS kit for the same $?

wgpaintballer

New Member
Oct 7, 2005
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Can you guys recommend a set of HCI that will make more power for the same amount of money. It will be in a 89 lx with a custom AOD and 4.10;s if that help. I will be running nitrous after the hci
 
The short answer is that I don't think there is one. The nice thing about the kit, is pretty much everything is in it. If you go with a custom set up, it will be the other bits and pieces that will kill the budget - after you have bought your heads, cam and intake, you will need all the gaskets, rockers, pushrods, valve covers, timing chain etc. Can't see how you will get anywhere near the same price. You will end up with a better setup, but it will cost more.
 
You can get more Hp for more money, or less HP for less money. But I doubt you will put together a kit that complete with parts that good that is that complete. Unless you get REAL lucky in the classifieds!!
 
Sure, you can make 400 rwhp with a 302 if you want to. Realistically, you're going to want something streetable, though. The TFS kit, and Systemax kit are both pretty good, but you're not going to see more than around 290-300 rwhp.

Chris
 
Ive seen the tfs kit go around 350hp. The thing thats nice about those kits is everything is built to work together, mix matching different brands may not be the best working system. If I were to go with a custom hci, id go with afr 165's (1300), holley systemax II intake (600), custom cam (350ish). Thats not including all the extras so it will add up with gaskets, bolts, etc. The nice thing about the kits is its niceley priced, comes with everything, and it all works together.
 
My old 8.8:1 302ci with a Holley kit and some modification made 340RWHP 11.6 @ 117mph, hell it made 304rwhp on 7 cylinders...lol I tuned it with a Speedbrain EEC at the time.

But to answer your question the TFS kit is fairly complete and you can not piece together something as nice for the same price. I have tried even with my dealer pricing and can not do it...

The cam that comes with the kit is not ideal for a AOD, I would suggest you go custom to get the most for your money.
 
there are like 900 different ways that you can go with a 302 motor. While the TFS kit is complete, it might not be the best option. sure, the numbers look good, but as rick pointed out, the cam isnt the best for an AOD... which will make a hugh difference. You could score some nice used heads, a used ported intkae and a custom cam or somewhere around 2gs. Also, are you gonna mess with that stall converter at all? if you do those parts, your prolly gonna want to step that up too to handle the new power and TQ ranges.
 
As for i am truely a fan of the trick flow kit, other than the cam.
I priced it out way back, added up all the parts, and you really don't save all that much, some places none at all, since you can shop ebay dealers and such for parts cheaper.

It does have a conveinance factor though. Not having to worry about odds and ends.

If you have valve jobbed, bowls cleanup, and spring seats done, you can get around 325rwhp with it and a custom cam on a stock shortblock. Should be good for low 12's and mph's around 112-116.
 
Rick 91GT said:
My old 8.8:1 302ci with a Holley kit and some modification made 340RWHP 11.6 @ 117mph, hell it made 304rwhp on 7 cylinders...lol I tuned it with a Speedbrain EEC at the time.

But to answer your question the TFS kit is fairly complete and you can not piece together something as nice for the same price. I have tried even with my dealer pricing and can not do it...

The cam that comes with the kit is not ideal for a AOD, I would suggest you go custom to get the most for your money.

Not bad. What modifications did you make to the base kit, and at what rpm did you make that power? How much did the car weigh?

Thanks,

Chris
 
Here's the complete list of the old motor, peak power was around 6100-6200rpm (I use to shift at 6600rpm). Car was 3330 with driver if I remember correctly, it was quite awhile back..lol I'm looking for the dyno sheet.... The car really needed some 4:30's, I was only trapping 5250-5300 through the traps, with the 4:30's I think it would have went high 11.40's, low 50's.

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SHORT BLOCK
-89 Block
-89 Stock crank, rods and piston (notched for clearance)
-AFM N-61 Cam
-FMS Steel Timing Chain
-Canton 7qt T-Style oil pan and pick-up
-Melling Standard Volume Oil Pump
-ARP Pump Shaft

TOP HALF
HOLLEY SYSTEMAX II KIT
-Holley Avenger Series Heads PT#300-575 2.02" x 1.60" valves port matched to 1262 gasket, bowl clean up and chamber polish, exhaust ports fully polished
-Holley SysteMAX II upper ported to 80mm, upper to lower port matched
-Holley SysteMAX II lower port matched to a 1262 gasket
-1" Phenolic Spacer
-75mm Accufab TB
-80mm EGR DELETE Plate (custom)
-80mm Pro-M shorty
-4" AFM Power Pipe
-Fabbed Alum Valve covers with Stef's breather tank

COOLING SYSTEM
-Ron Davis Racing Radiator
-Stewart High Flow Water Pump
-180 Degree Thermo
-16" Perma Cool Electric Fan

FUEL SYSTEM
-Walbro 255lph HIGH PRESSURE pump
-30# Injectors
-Stock rails and lines
-Paxton AFR

EXHAUST
-1-5/8" Ceramic coated Mac long tubes
-2-1/2" MAC Flowpath Off Road H-Pipe
-2-1/2" MAC Flowpath Cat Back DUMPED

SUSPENSION
-70/30 Lakewood Struts
-50/50 Lakewood Shocks
-Eibach Drag launch kit
-Steeda Chrome-Moly Sub frames
-Metco Aluminum lowers, anti squat plate not installed, Delrin bushings
-Stock Boxed Uppers
-JD's Performance Double Adjustable Uppers
-RNH PERFORMANCE Stainless Steel torque box re-enforcement kit-JDM Caster/Camber Plates
-S&W 8pt FULL CUSTOM with X brace.

DRIVE TRAIN
-3:73 FMS gears
-FMS Aluminum Drive Shaft
- Energy Suspension Tranny Mount and Frame Bushings
-Lakewood SFI Bell housing
-SPEC Stage III Clutch
-UPR triple hook Quadrant and Cable
-ROMAC SFI Balancer


ELECTRONICS
-MSD 6A
-MSD Blaster 3 Coil
-MSD Billet Dist.
-LIVE WIRES
-SPEEDBRAIN ECU
-Power Master 140amp Chrome Alternator