4.9L Cadillac Information (Page 2/11)
Reborn756 AUG 11, 03:19 PM
Given the size of the engine, I'm not sure there's any other head that would come close to working.

I received an email back from that company I contacted. I wrote a very detailed email describing the project, and simply received a: "I Am Not Interested" from the company owner.

Does anyone else know a custom head Manufacturer other than Build and Tune?

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- Darryl

Will AUG 12, 12:17 AM
If you're not ready to drop $10k on cylinder heads, don't waste their time asking for a quote.

The companies that do that go to the trouble of designing and building heads so that they can sell them into a market; even then, billet heads are $4-5k/set, so they don't design heads for a market that won't pay that price.
There's no market to sell into for the 4.9, so no one is going to be interested.

I googled "billet cylinder head" and got at least a page of results.

You're much better off looking at the 4.9s bore center and head bolt pattern to see if there's something close enough to mangle into place.

[This message has been edited by Will (edited 08-12-2020).]

dear1700 AUG 12, 04:22 AM
You can also ditch the distributor and run ls coils with an m90 supercharger. More torque than you need in a 4.9 and if you want to upgrade springs and port the heads some, you can have high hp power too. It’s only a tune and pulley change away. I use speeduino because it’s cheap, it works, and it well documented. Uses tuner studio like megasquirt but only costs $150 for an Ecu.
Reborn756 AUG 12, 10:04 AM
Will, I would honestly be willing to spend the money. Once I get this Fiero, I intend to keep it for life. Spending money on it to make it exactly how I want it isn't a big deal. May take me some time, but no big deal to me. I also collect firearms, and have spent $6000 on a single rifle, because it was something I wanted. Spending money isn't something I'm afraid to do.

Dear, do you have any idea as to what the power numbers look like out of your engine? How difficult is fitting the supercharger? I imagine the engine compartment is awfully cramped as it is with just an NA 4.9L crammed in there!

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- Darryl

Dennis LaGrua AUG 12, 10:08 AM

quote
Originally posted by dear1700:

You can also ditch the distributor and run ls coils with an m90 supercharger. More torque than you need in a 4.9 and if you want to upgrade springs and port the heads some, you can have high hp power too. It’s only a tune and pulley change away. I use speeduino because it’s cheap, it works, and it well documented. Uses tuner studio like megasquirt but only costs $150 for an Ecu.



What you propose would require a ton of fabrication, metal work and tuning.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

dear1700 AUG 12, 10:11 AM
Double post, oops

[This message has been edited by dear1700 (edited 08-12-2020).]

sourmash AUG 12, 10:14 AM

quote
[B]Originally posted by Reborn756:And have spent $6000 on a single rifle, because it was something I wanted. Spending money isn't something I'm afraid to do.


But the arms generally will be worth what you invest and more after you buy them (and if you want to sell them). The Fiero, generally, will not be worth 1/3rd to someone else of what you spend on them. I realize you said you don't plan on selling. But the surviving family learns this. And there are lots better car investments you can end up with instead of spending 10k on heads. Some of us have many of the valued arms you mentioned.

[This message has been edited by sourmash (edited 08-12-2020).]

dear1700 AUG 12, 10:14 AM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:


What you propose would require a ton of fabrication, metal work and tuning.




Nope, about two weeks of working on it on the side. I’m sorry if using a drill, grinder and welder are outside your level of expertise.

Here is the required adapter plate
Reborn756 AUG 12, 10:38 AM
Sourmash: In my case this rifle won't be. I have my initials engraved into it in Platinum. Rifle isn't worth a darn to anyone except me and eventually my family, unless I become rich and famous!

Dear: With those modifications, do you suspect the power is reliable? In the summer months I'll be driving this car a minimum of 40 miles a day, 5 days a week. Don't want it to blow up on the side of the road on my way into work!

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- Darryl

pmbrunelle AUG 12, 12:48 PM

quote
Originally posted by Reborn756:
With those modifications, do you suspect the power is reliable? In the summer months I'll be driving this car a minimum of 40 miles a day, 5 days a week. Don't want it to blow up on the side of the road on my way into work!



Well the more you deviate from stock parts, the less "proven to be reliable" your setup will be from the start.

From your idea to use one-off heads, that means you're seeking the thrill and challenge of new stuff, and the risk of blowing stuff up. For example, you may face head gasket problems... in which case you may have to do a second revision of your 10k heads.

Once you've debugged and resolved the issues that crop in road testing, there's no real reason (with sufficient resources) you can't have a reliable daily driver with a custom car.

But the best way to test reliability for daily driving is by daily driving it... so that's my approach. To reduce overall fuel expenditure, time, and wear and tear, I combine my testing/tuning with trips I'd have done anyway. I accept the risk of breakdowns/problems while commuting in order to get the setup working correctly. I'm never really in a rush to get anywhere though.

[This message has been edited by pmbrunelle (edited 08-12-2020).]