Darn you Trick Flow, now I have to make a choice

[DrEamer]

I thought I had most things figured out for my engine build, but now that Trick Flow has their new heads out, I may want to change things out. I happen to have an early 5.9Magnum block that can use the LA heads. I was all set to use the EQ heads and be done with it. Now that TFS has their new head, I am so temped to get a pair. The TFS head will end up costing another $900-$1000 over a set of prepped EQ's. The only other down side, is is that they only are drilled for a LA intake only, which puts the thermostat housing in the wrong place if I want to use my factory serpentine belt set up. This is for a street cruiser in an E body, if I end up doing a stoker, I can't imagine that the bigger ports are a bad deal, plus I can get get a little more compression, and still run pump gas. Even with a standard bore and stroke, I would not think that the ports are so big as to lose low end power. Am I missing anything, or are there other options to think about.

 

[360duster]

I´m Pretty sure there is a way to drill a mag intake to install like a LA intake, think i´ve seen it here.

Michael

 

[B3422w5]

Would buy the trick flows abd not think twice.

 

[Bobzilla]

No brainer; get the Trick Flow heads and make the serpentine setup work.
Are you planning to run air conditioning?

 

[DrEamer]

No brainer; get the Trick Flow heads and make the serpentine setup work.
Are you planning to run air conditioning?

Yep, the AC bracket is the only real issue. I know I saw a tread where it was discussed, but can not find it now. I am looking for other fixes, even converting to V belts if needed.

 

[Bobzilla]

Get the Edelbrock RPM AirGap for Magnum engines so all the Magnum serpentine setup with AC will work. Then grind off the Magnum vertical mounting bolts and drill it for LA attachment.
Other option is to find one of the old Mopar M1 single plane intakes that had LA bolt pattern but had Magnum thermostat location and bypass hose mount. There is one currently in the for sale section of this forum you can see as an example.

 

[DrEamer]

Get the Edelbrock RPM AirGap for Magnum engines so all the Magnum serpentine setup with AC will work. Then grind off the Magnum vertical mounting bolts and drill it for LA attachment.
Other option is to find one of the old Mopar M1 single plane intakes that had LA bolt pattern but had Magnum thermostat location and bypass hose mount. There is one currently in the for sale section of this forum you can see as an example.

Thanks for the input, I found the old tread I was looking for, it looks like another option is to cut one corner of the AC mount around the thermostat. Maybe not the best option, but something to consider. The M1 is intriguing, I'm just not sure that a single plane is the right choice for a street engine. If I go stroker it might be all right. Also, I am planning on using a Sniper fuel injection system which seem to do well with the single plane. More things to consider I guess.