Intake question!

[Albatrossian]

I'm considering putting on a new intake and wanted to ask ya'll your opinions/experiences on them. What intakes have ya'll used and did you notice a difference in power after the swap? Did you go from dual plane to single and what brand did you go with? I'm running a Performer now and I'm considering going to a Weiand Street Warrior. I'll still be using my trusty 780 QJet since it's pretty new. Thanks!

[bigblock73]

I have always used Edelbrock manifolds, performer RPM or Air Gap. Have been satisfied with every one.

[Albatrossian]

Did you notice a difference in power between them, Jeff?

[tvblazer78]

Originally Posted by Albatrossian

Did you notice a difference in power between them, Jeff?

The big thing is what are you needing, low end or top end? RPM is on the top end and performer is lower.

[boatpuller]

iv'e used both performers and i'm currently running an air gap.i can't say i can tell a difference.however,the airgap looks cooler.so,if it doesn't make a big diff in foot pedal feel,i'll lean towards cool.

[75sierraclassic]

Get a Performer RPM. It will do better than a Performer at the low end and high end. Hot Rod magazine has done quiet a few comparisons and they always end up with the Performer RPM or the RPM Air-Gap. The Air-Gap is the best manifold for performance, but unless you have a big block or a serious engine it is so marginal over the RPM that it doesn't warrant the cost increase.

[Albatrossian]

I'm going for low end.. I will be drag racing the truck, but it's not going to be a total race truck. I've never ran a single plane, so I was wondering if any of ya'll have.

[84 400]

I have a preformer II on mine. In every test I have read the Air gap always comes out on top. Best for the money kinda deal. So if it where me I would try the air gap.

Have herd some good things about weiland too.

[ca180]

I've got the edelbrock eps (dual plane), but since the v8 swap I don't think I've even got the secondaries open.... Hasn't been legal since 06/05! Damn

Anyhow, If I did things different I might throw down on an air gap... or even save all my mullah for an LS motor.... But all in all, I think you should be ok with whatever you chose, all these intakes (brand name) are good these days. Just match your mods

[piecesparts]

I have veen using the Edelbrock intakes for quite some time. The Edelbrock Performer is a dual plane intake with a 500 RPM to 5500 RPM band for performance. The Performer RPM inatkes move that power band up to 1500 RPM to 6500 RPM. I chose the Performer, this last time, because if I am going to get serious with the acceleration, I will bring my RPMs up to about 1500 before really starting. I don't really know of many that just just on the gas with the tranny engaged at 500 RPMs, so the lower power band is virtually useless in my mind. My stroker motor runs quite well for me and has one heck of a bite at the 2000 to 2500 RPM area.

[manimal]

I have very good luck with Weiand Stealth intakes. And the old Holley Street Dominator was a Z/28 replica and worked GREAT! Good Luck with your choice.
-Lance

[87Lowrider]

Originally Posted by boatpuller

iv'e used both performers and i'm currently running an air gap.i can't say i can tell a difference.however,the airgap looks cooler.so,if it doesn't make a big diff in foot pedal feel,i'll lean towards cool.

I agree with "cool".. I'm very impressed with the performance of mine too. I've only had my foot in it a couple times since I got it running but I'm still working the bugs out of the fuel pump, but MAN, she it stout.

[boatpuller]

Originally Posted by 87Lowrider

I agree with "cool".. I'm very impressed with the performance of mine too. I've only had my foot in it a couple times since I got it running but I'm still working the bugs out of the fuel pump, but MAN, she it stout.

that engine compartment is cool.....look's really nice.

[grinch4om]

stay away from a single plane unless the converter is real loose and you are zinging the motor, remember you need low end torque to move mass...pure physics, performer RPM is probably the best compromise for a street/strip vehicle

[87Lowrider]

Originally Posted by boatpuller

that engine compartment is cool.....look's really nice.

Thanks!, but it's never done! Always something, huh?


Ken

[454HO]

I say stick with the Performer you already have. It is the best choice for what you say you want - low end torque. Plus it is made to use the Q-jet carb you have with no adapter plate.

What is the rest of your engine combo? What heads, cam, compression ratio, exhaust etc, etc. do you have? Also, what is your drivetrain... transmission, torque converter, rear end ratio, etc? I bet you can get a lot more bang for your buck on something other than a new intake manifold... like maybe some rear gears, or higher stall torque converter, or maybe even a cam swap.

[Albatrossian]

It's a 357(350, 40 over), 2.02 heads, ported/polished, Crane Powermax H278, 460/480 lift, Hooker long tubes with 1-5/8" primaries and 3" collectors, 780 QJet, 10:1 compression, Keith Black cast flattops, and the Performer intake. It's got a 700R4 trans with a stock converter, 3.73 gears with a stock posi. I've got a set of Crane roller rockers I am going to throw on it, thinking on going to a 1.6 ratio on the exhaust.

[454HO]

Okay, so the Performer may not be the best match for the rest of your combo. An Edelbrock RPM, RPM Airgap or maybe the Weiand Air Strike might help some in the upper rpm range, but they probably won't help much down low. That 278 cam (222/234) has a 2200-6200 rpm power band. Not exactly good for low end torque... but your gearing is pretty good with the 700r4 and 3.73 gears.

If it were mine, I would get a good torque converter. Not some cheap off the shelf converter. Something like a Vigilante or Street Edge . Just call them up and give them your specs, they will custom design a converter for you. I'm guessing probably around 3200-3400 stall speed. If you keep the lock-up then your highway cruise rpm won't change. But you will definately feel a difference in the launch.

[Albatrossian]

Hmm.. so maybe an intake AND a cam swap.. it's an 1/8 mile track here, so top end doesn't really count as much..

[454HO]

Advancing the cam 4° would give you a bit more on the low end.

I still think a good converter would be the best bang for your buck. What is your current 60' time?

[Albatrossian]

I haven't been on the track with it yet.. I've wiped out 3rd and 4th. I'm thinking it should be in the mid 2s with wheelspin.

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

I got the performer on my Blazer and I really like it no major complaints all around good performance.