spdrcr29

I currently have a 71 LT-1 with original intake, but was thinking about upgrading to the Edelbrock Performer RPM Air-Gap Intake. I'm not concerned with originality, but wondering how much better the Edelbrock intake would be. Any thoughts??

cv67

Probably outperform the GM piece by how much who knows.

gkull

The biggest thing about intakes is do they match!

People destroy intakes that are too small outlet and hog them to the head

Solid LT1

I would guess you pick-up 12-15HP max over the GM intake. Years ago when I dyno tested my LT-1 I tried the Performer RPM hi-rise Edelbrock said 19HP, we observed a 6HP increase on a 425HP 355 cu/in motor with decent heads and good exhaust (this is at the crank.) Putting a 2975 Victor Jr on the same motor took it up to 442HP (about 17HP over the RPM intake) but, killed torque below 4K RPM.

Ganey

It's going to depend on the setup, the tests I have seen showed a few more HP for the RPM & more lower rpm torque under the curve for the LT-1 intake.

7t9l82

the lt-1 intake was the model used for several aftermarket intakes. I'm not surprised by the small difference between the two as the factory manifold was really pretty good.

7T1vette

If you like the car being original, leave the stock intake on the car. Assuming you still have the stock heads on the car, changing to a different intake manifold would offer negligible improvement.

htown81vette

Or use the Air-gap, but keep the original intake just in case you change your mind when you go to sell it. Thats what I plan to do, I'll keep all my old number matching parts.

MotorHead

In my opinion the RPM Air Gap is one of the best intakes on the market today, losing only a couple of ponies in the 5-6000+RPM range against a Vic Jr. I know because I tested both of them on a chassis dyno, I don't believe too much I read, I go out and see for myself. Much of it is in how well the intake runners match the heads

RPM Air Gap on my 355ci. Note* There are 2 Air Gaps they do not make a Performer RPM, it's one or the other


Vic Jr on the same motor, notice the loss in torque over a dual plane, love to prove ol' wives tales wrong

7t9l82

just how much power would not not be negligable? most big power comes from stacking parts together 10 h.p here 15 there pretty hard for one part to make 100 h.p a camshaft can add that much but it takes supporting parts to make it happen.

jb78L-82

I am also concerned about trying to keep my all original L-82 as stock looking as possible if I add aluminum heads and a cam but probably will leave the OEM aluminum intake at least at first to see how much power the motor makes-which is NOT the main objective in my case-just more get up and go. If I do the switch, I will save everything-882 heads and L-82 cam- and can always add a performer later if need be!

spdrcr29

Thanks for the feedback guys! Thinking I will just do a rebuild of the motor as I am in the middle of a frame off restoration. Maybe once the vette is on its wheels and under its own power again, I will consider doing a 383 build up or something instead. We've got our first child on the way and my wife is closely watching how much money i've been spending on my toys!