I'm looking for you performance guys to weigh in on my combo.

69 Camaro
396 4 bolt block .060 over
Steel crank with 3/8 dimple rods
Stock forged 11:1 pistons
Factory L89 106.9 cc "842" aluminum heads
CompCams XS290S cam 290/298 duration .598 lift 110 LSA DCR calcs to about 8.4:1
Stock "163" dual plane intake
Stock 750 vacuum secondary Holley
Stock exhaust

M20 wide ratio Muncie
3:55 Posi

The car is mostly street with some strip. I like the "factory" look.

What changes would you recommend?
If I change to 2 1/2 mandrel bent exhaust can I retain the "logs" and get performance?
Lightweight flywheels are they worth it?

TIA

I think that I would go with a more performance oriented muffler,2.5" mandrel bent ought to get the job done. I had a history teacher once that went with a 60lb. aluminum flywheel in hoping to keep his rpms up between shifts,which I think hurt him,because they stayed up and he had a hard time shifting...that was the one and only time that I have been to Tulsa Int. Raceway. I've run manual transmissions in street cars,but never tried in race mode, I broke too many parts on the street. I like the rest of the combo,but I think I'd go with a DP Holley. You could always go with the Edelbrock RPM intake,grind off the name and paint it orange.

does it not have headers? if not then i doubt it would do any good to get any bigger than 2 1/2" exhaust. but if it has headers then i think 3" exhaust and mufflers with 2 1/2" tailpipes would be ideal. Headers would definately help it more than about anything else you could do for it. i also agree with the 750dp advise too.

It has stock exhaust on it, manifolds, transverse muffler, flattened spots for clearance, etc. I've heard of some guys running stock classes that swear by stock manifolds w/mandrel bent pipes. Any idea how much headers/upgraded exhaust would help vs. manifolds with upgraded exhaust? I was thinking of using the Flowmaster American Thunder system but swapping out the mufflers for Dynomaxs. I've heard the Dynomaxs flow as well but are quieter.

I had an L-78 Nova with a transverse factory muffler. It's a choker. Just replacing it with 2 standard in line mufflers was worth about .2 in 1/4 mile ET. And headers were worth about an additional .3. The Flowmaster American Thunder 2 1/2" system is very nice. The head pipes are made to use with headers. I have the FM tailpipes on my Chevelle. The complete system with Dynomax Hemi Super Turbo mufflers and headers would provide a substantial power increase and be relatively quiet. Also with the Nova, going from 3.55 gears to 4.10's made a big difference.

Since the Edelbrock RPM is also a dual plane intake would it be that much better than the factory 163 dual plane high rise? I'm thinking by sticking with a dual plane it will help out on lower end torque vs. moving to a single plane intake. Also with rect. ports on the street I figured a dual plane is better. Is my thinking correct? Any thoughts on what kind of HP I'd be looking at with the combo? If I run light springs on the vacuum secondaries will I get much more out of a 750 DP? Any thoughts on the cam selection? Thanks Ted

If you want stealthy looks, a.k.a. no headers hanging down under the car, Sanderson makes a nice set that'll work.

Sanderson Headers (http://www.sandersonheaders.com/pagesbypartnum/bb3.htm)

Try Pypes Exhaust for a full mandrel bent system. You can get them with an X-pipe, quiets things down considerably.

Pypes exhaust (http://www.pypesexhaust.com/sys-chevelle.html)

Check your hood clearance if you swap intakes, the performer rpm is pretty tall. I compared the old C396 to a the rpm and the rpm is much larger than the c396. So I am thinking it is probably much bigger than the old stock intake as well. I would put at least a mandrel bent 2.5 system on the car and headers. From a performance standpoint you won't be sorry. If you really want to stay with exhaust manifolds you may also try extrude honing, it will help but still will be short of headers. The tuning effect of long tubes draw the exhaust out and that really helps the motor breathe.