Help me decide on an AI package

[gregrob]

Disclaimer:
First off, I have already spoken with AI and I will of course follow their recommendations. I am going to be emailing Ron for a quote for everything I'll need soon.

What I want here are ideas, and opinions based on actual H/C/I user experiences.

I fully realize the final decision is up to me and no I dont plant to use the internet as a crutch and just throw a bunch of parts together and "hope" they will run. Nor do I need anyone to hold my hand.

Whew, now, that out of the way let's get on with it.

Some things I need ideas with are 190cc or 200cc head package.

and what cam.

This will most likely be on a stock 89,000mi shortblock. Unless I get the extra budget room to do a forged 355 using the stock crank.

The car must be reliable for weekend use on the street. I live 30miles out of town so it's not like I can drive down the street to cruise.

I also would like to be able to drive it to the track, race, and drive back home. Closest track is like 1.5hrs from me, so definitely not looking for a trailer queen.

At this point I'm thinking
190cc heads
custom cam based on the 230/238
ported intake

I know the 200cc package isn't that much more but I dont want to run more cam and spin the stock shortblock much over 6200-6300.

Also I feel the 190 will keep up the port velocity and be an awesome street setup.

Those who have been there and done it, let's hear from you. Remember I am at ~6,000ft elevation so I need a little more to compensate for that. I want 400 to the ground, not one hp less.

I think a realistic goal with that package is low/mid 12's on motor, and mid 11's on spray.

Let me have it.

Thanks,

Greg

[Flyinz]

If I were you, Id just ask Ron/Phil those questions. They are the BEST people to ask those questions, since they're the ones in the business for that. They did great on my setup.

[catchmyz]

First of all great choice with deciding to go with AI. With that said I run there 200 cc heads on a 383, 12.6 to 1 compression and with a custom cam phil spec'd out for me, I agree you might would want to consider the 190's for the reasons you stated. With the larger displacement the 200's best suited my application it has plenty of vacuum and I drive it where ever I want and beat the crap out of it getting there. Reliabilty is all in the products chosen that most choose to cheap out on, the valvetrain and supporting geometry. AI uses extremely high quailty valve springs, better then what most LS1 guys always throw in there cars "the 918", great locks and retainers, and if any guides are worn beyond spec the do one hell of a job replacing them. That coupled with some high quality pushrods and rocker arms you would be good to go. Also, there billet cam is unmatched in quailty, and I've had another custom grinds fail on the cam lobes if anyone thinks its unessacary.

As for what to run specifically with your setup, I had my ideas when I walked into their shop about 3 hours later of disucussion with phil we decicded on what to run that would meet my needs and thats the best way to go.


heres some pics of mine

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e180/Catchmyz/100_1046.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e180/Catchmyz/100_1045-1.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e180/Catchmyz/100_1044.jpg