Recently we were contracted by a customer to re-work his modified 1997 Camaro Z28. Vehicle come in with the engine removed but had been previously fitted with a Vortech V1 Supercharger (which we have and the customer is trying to sell by the way).

Customer asked what would be the best possible route for performance without the supercharger and claims engine is a mild build on the lower end. Extensive inspections reveal a whole different story worthy of a separate thread but we suggest to him going with the new Edelbrock LT4 Performer RPM package to accommodate his near nascar spec lower end that was supposed to have been "Just a mild build on the lower end" lol. I just love it when I pull an oil pan only to have my jaw drop to the floor in shock.

Anyway several weeks later Edelbrock Kit # 2019 arrives at the door. It's whopping 107 pound white box of glory must be the cleanest specimin I have ever seen make it thru the mail, then again it was sent FedEx and wheeled up to our door with a dolly.

For all you guys out there wondering the Edelbrock Performer RPM kit # 2019 will set you back $3011.00! Don't even bother asking Summit Racing for a free hat or t-shirt or that price will go up $8.50. Imagine that, a free t-shirt only cost $8.50!

You may ask yourself "What does $3000.00 get you"? Glad you asked my friend, glad you asked. What it gets you is 420 HP in of itself when strapped on top of your existing factory short block, more if you have extensive modifications which I can assure you this customer does.

Here are the specs for the kit-

What is important to realize here is that this kit includes the bad ass Xtreme RPM LT4 CNC heads with 2.02 intake valves and bee-hive springs good to .600 lift. Not only that they have CNC matched ports to the LT4 Performer RPM air gap intake manifold.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-61939/

The included camshaft is the Edelbrock RPM 2108. Fresh headbolts are supplied and gasket kit is composed of mostly Edelbrock branded intake manifold gaskets along with what appears to be good old trusted tried and true Fel-Pro head gaskets and timing chain cover seals.

Currently the Edelbrock Xtreme RPM CNC LT4 heads are not in stock, and the only way you could get a set without a wait is by purchasing the entire kit. Mind you EACH head will cost you $1,100 if purchased separately. These prices are the current prices of today (5/14/2011).

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-2019/

Similarly Jeg's offers an Edelbrock LT4 kit part number 7109 that basically is a grab bag of GMPP LT4 castings, with a GMPP HOT Cam shaft using an RPM LT4 Edelbrock air gap intake manifold with FelPro gaskets. They throw in a set of roller rocker arms also and they sell the kit for almost $3000; myself personally I think the entire package offered from Edelbrock for a few hundred more is the better route to go since the LT4 intake manifolds are discontinued, and the odds of finding a true Grand Sport LT4 intake part # 12550630 is going to be near impossible if not expensive as hell.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Edelbrock/350/7109K/10002/-1

Sure there are a lot of "Conversion" style LT4 intakes part # 12550631 but they are still second to the REAL GRAND SPORT LT4 intake and the conversion 12550631 intakes require a significant amount of machining to open them up and match the ports.

All that technical BS on proper LT4 intake edicate aside, unless you were to go Genuine LT4 all the way whats the point if your going to slap an Edelbrock intake on it anyway? And there is no way in hell the GMPP LT4 heads are going to hold a candle to the Xtreme Performer RPM heads anyway.

Check out the photos and see for yourself.