Has anyone installed the Holly Systemax from summit

krafty said:

Has anybody installed this on their car. It's the kit with heads, timing chain, intake and some other things I think. It is like $2200 so I would like to know if it is a good setup or not before I dump that kind of cash. Also what other mods need to be done for the setup. Any help would be appreciated.Thanks

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Best thing to do is use the Search Function here in the forums on StangNET you will find a ton of info on the kit and everyones expierences,

Use the Advanced Search Option

Keyword: Holley (search titles only)
Search in Forum: 5.0 Tech

Here's a link to that specific search http://forums.stangnet.com/search.php?searchid=379105

I had the kit and was able to go 12.6 @ 108 out of the box on a stock bottom end 302, with some changes (cam swap, larger TB, MAF) I was able to go 11.80@ 116

not a good deal at all. Holly put these heads together and they have alot of problems with them. Anyone who says they dont are liars. Its a bunch of metal crap. Ive put together alot of them in my shop and they are junk. You would do better with $2200.00 if you got the TFS race intake and some edelbrock Victor Jrs heads. Port them both for about 250. per head and another 200.0 for the intake and you'll be very good. A set of 30 lb injectors and a fuel reg and 190lp fuel pump and a Pro M mass air. You'll be very happy. Total will cost you about 3200.00 installed. But well worth it. Trust me..... If you want more power go with a F 303 ford race cam. and 1.7 rockers for the heads. With the rockers your lift on the cam will be closer to the 528 rather than the 512 they list. Alot of Power I assure you......Hope I helped you.

vegasboy said:

not a good deal at all. Holly put these heads together and they have alot of problems with them. Anyone who says they dont are liars. Its a bunch of metal crap. Ive put together alot of them in my shop and they are junk. You would do better with $2200.00 if you got the TFS race intake and some edelbrock Victor Jrs heads. Port them both for about 250. per head and another 200.0 for the intake and you'll be very good. A set of 30 lb injectors and a fuel reg and 190lp fuel pump and a Pro M mass air. You'll be very happy. Total will cost you about 3200.00 installed. But well worth it. Trust me..... If you want more power go with a F 303 ford race cam. and 1.7 rockers for the heads. With the rockers your lift on the cam will be closer to the 528 rather than the 512 they list. Alot of Power I assure you......Hope I helped you.

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What's junk about the heads? I'm pretty sure the heads are made by Brodix so I don't see the head itself being an issue... maybe it's the hardware?

I have heard the heads are decently made. I always heard that it is the cam that does not fit the kit very well. It has been redesigned, but from what I have heard, it still lacks a lot of low end. Anyway, I have heard a lot of good things about the trick flow kit, many people seem to be happy with it, and it is around the same price. Oh yeah, an F303 with 1.7's is .544" lift. (.512/1.6)*1.7=.544

Hey vegas boy, you calling me a liar? Your info seems to be a little out of date. The kit is decent and the newer style heads PT#300-373 that come with all the new kits are actually very, very decent they just have cheap retainers, but they flow and make good power. AFR was asembling the newer heads for Holley, the old smaller valve heads were made and done by Brodix.The intake has also been redesigned a few times since the original kit and the lower ports are slightly smaller then the previous designs. The newer cam is better but still has a lot to be desired to max the combo, no issue with lack of low end grunt.

F-303 a race cam..lol All of the alphabet cams are OLD technology, much better off the shelf options are available. Unless you get a cam that is ground for use with a 1.7 rocker you actaully add additional stress to the valve train, it is better to use a larger cam with a 1.6 rocker. You need to check the pushrod length to make sure the geometry is correct, this was a big problem with the original Holley kits, most guys didn't check and just installed and ran, everything needs to be checked.

Yes, there may be better options out for more power, Holley or RPM2 intake, AFR 185 heads or TFS heads, CUSTOM CAM, 30# inj, 80mm Pro-M, 70-75mm TB, and even with a 9:1 motor you have a strong 11 sec recipe. IMO the Vic jr's are a little large for most street cars and they will require a aftermarket piston since they have a 2.05 valve. Either way you can go 11's.....

How fast do you want to go? Daily Driver or Weekend Warrior? Emissions or Non-Emissons? What's your budget?

Hey Rick, that is a clean looking engine bay. I'm actually feeling a little green with envy lol. I'm assuming you are giving the Systemax a thumbs up?

My dad also has the kit on his 91GT. Box stock with the "old" holley cam it went a 12.6 at 107mph. With some port work and an FTI cam, its running 11.95 at 115 now at 3350lbs. Holley did have some issues with the OLD heads, it is not an issue any more to the best of my knowledge.

vegasboy said:

You would do better with $2200.00 if you got the TFS race intake and some edelbrock Victor Jrs heads.

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Im assuming that he has a stock short block. If he does, your going way too big on the parts and going to hurt the power output. Thats not even mentioning the fact that the valves probably wont even clear the stock pistons. Bigger is not always better and this is definitely one of those cases. Not enough cubes and not enough compression make this a bad combo.

Another alternative "kit" to the Holley is the trick flow setup. Tried and true combos.

Sorry for the miss info. My set up is on a stroked 347. I have all the items I suggested above and run very strong. Vic jrs are NOT street heads, so forget it. TFS has very good heads though. As far as an F cam being out dated. I have no problems reaching 11.03 in the 1/4. No stress on valve train and everything seems to be in top shape. Its a fantastic setup for the $ in my book. But of course not everyone will agree Iam sure. But it works for me.