Cam and headers in an 87 454 tbi truck?

[Jim85IROC]

Anybody done some mild mods to their tbi 454? I've been reading the 454ss forums, but wanted to see what guys here had to say too.

I've read that installing headers & a dual exhaust will cause a lean condition that needs an AFPR and possibly new fuel pumps to remedy. I'd also like to explore my options for throwing a more agressive (but still relatively mild) cam in. Am I better off just doing a carb swap, or can the stock TBI support mild mods? I've heard that the stock TBI is capable up to around 300-350 horsepower, but since I'm big-block stupid, I have no idea what kind of power output I can expect with a new cam along with headers & dual exhaust. I'm guessing that GM put a stupid-mild cam profile in this motor and that a reasonable cam will really wake this motor up. I have no intentions of getting into the heads.

Any wisdom from you guys?

[Captkaos]

The heads are the biggest hinderance. They are SMALL ports. The cam choice would be limited if you weren't changing the heads since it would have to work with the stock springs. I understand that the Edelbrock 2162 cam, 3764 aluminum intake, 6660 headers make a good improvement over stock.

[Jim85IROC]

the more I read, the more it looks like these peanut port heads are going to just hold me back.

Maybe I'll just live with what I've got until I can take on heads/cam/intake/carb.

[Captkaos]

If I were in you boat, that is what I would do. The cam that would help the stock heads aren't going to be worth the effort if you change to better heads.

[Jim85IROC]

Which means in reality, the truck will stay stock. 95% of my mod money goes to my Camaro, so it's not real likely that I'll divert much money to the truck. Maybe for now I'll just do an AFPR so that I can avoid a lean condition when I do headers & exhaust.

[Jonboy]

Use a TPI fuel pump and leave the regulator alone. The TPI pump will feed the 454 fine, and the fuel system will return what fuel it doesn't want.

[1badbowtie]

I have an 88 Suburban 454 TBI, so what heads would you guys recommend to go with an upgraded cam, intake, and headers?

[Jim85IROC]

Originally Posted by Jonboy

Use a TPI fuel pump and leave the regulator alone. The TPI pump will feed the 454 fine, and the fuel system will return what fuel it doesn't want.

If the regulator is doing it's job, how is the bigger fuel pump going to help? It's my understanding that the TBI pump is perfectly adequate, but the fuel pressure regulator can vary anywhere from 9-12 pounds stock.

[1badbowtie]

Well, any reply to the 2 previous questions?

[Jonboy]

Originally Posted by Jim85IROC

If the regulator is doing it's job, how is the bigger fuel pump going to help? It's my understanding that the TBI pump is perfectly adequate, but the fuel pressure regulator can vary anywhere from 9-12 pounds stock.

I was told differently. It seemed to make a lot of difference in the drivability on my 82 Corvette, which is basically the same system. The system should be @ at least 13 psi.