kbreese

As some of you might know, I will soon be having a shop swap cams & retune (going for a smaller custom EPS cam) and thinking of what all I should do while they are in there. Already decided to add Katech C5R timing chain and Smith Brothers trunnion kit. Other current engine mods are PRC 265 heads, Kooks LT’s & Halltech CAI.

I see a lot of people do a NW102 or ported TB and MSD intake, so I looked into that, and wow, The two come to around $1600, not counting if you want to “Mamofy” the intake, which I believe puts it over $2000.00. That’s a lot of coin. In fact that’s basically what I am paying for my new Cam & Cam package, install and tune. (Dyno + street tune) including all parts, fluids, etc and labor.

Is it really worth it? How much extra power are we talking? 10-20rwhp?

jayyyw

Depends on what your end goal is. There are claims of close to 40rwhp gains from a mamo ported MSD and NW102

injfuel

To make a safe estimate from all my research if say bet on 25 whp and if you get any more it's a bonus , but def base your $2k purchase on 25 whp , some will say more but different dynos differnt conditions , different combos result in varying numbers , I too contemplated this same option in my build and decided to port my factory intake and TB for $490 in hopes of a max 10-12 whp gain , that's what you get from similar parts that cost around $500 so made sense in my head , if I decide I want a max hp car I might decide to spend the $2k as long as I gain something in return , just my 2 cents

Unreal

Is 25-30rwhp worth $2k to you? Some people say hell yes that is cheap. Others say no way, thats crazy.

kbreese

I think I'll pass, but I sent an IM to HPA asking how much extra it would be for TB and intake porting (if they even do that).

outhouse

For you? pass my friend.


The MSD requires a lot of work, its not plug and play. It gets installed, taken off, tightened and retightened almost monthly.


A ported stock TB is a better option.

jayyyw

Is this what you've been experiencing? I haven't heard that, other than the initial re-tight and loc-tite after a few miles.

outhouse

Have not met anyone who has not had to retighten the 10 manifold to head bolts every 6-8 weeks.


The bolts do not loosen up, the plastic settles/shrinks between heat cycles.


I'm hoping it gets to a point it stops, but after months I'm still retightening

JaredW

You're still having to take it off and tighten it after that long?!

kbreese

Wow, what a PITA. I'll definitely pass on that.

outhouse

No


It gets taken off once after install and a few hours heat cycles to retighten clamshell bolts.


the 10 manifold to head bolts get checked/tightened monthly or 6-8 weeks

JaredW

I misread your first post, my bad! I was not looking forward to that, Ill have mine all wrapped up hopefully here in the next month!

SPDKLZ1

I just got my ported and shaved MSD from Tony Mamo and I was super exited. Now it seems threads are popping up everywhere about its shortcomings. Perfect

kbreese

That's a bummer man. I think we've all been there numerous times and know the feeling all too well. Part of the game, and why I always try and do so much research before pulling the trigger on anything. And even then sometimes it doesn't work out. Hopefully it all works out for you and the others in the end.

outhouse

Its not really a shortcoming.


You just go out and tigten up the bolts every 6-8 weeks after the first removal which is quick and easy.


It may settle in.


I could sell mine for what I have in it, and its not going anywhere. The HP gains are worth it.

SPDKLZ1

That sounds a little more positive. I haven't read the manual yet, but what is the initial removal for? I'm having the complete build done at the shop in a bit over a month. Is that something they would normally do after testing/tuning?

Thanks, Jesse

kbreese

Well I just got a response from HPA (HorsePowerAddicts in DE). $265 to remove and port the intake and $75 to port the TB, so I said let's do it!

keeso6z

I definitely say yes. I added a NW 102MM TB and a MSD Atomic Airforce Intake (non-ported) and picked up 18.1rwhp and 25.7rwtq. There was a noticeable difference in power versus the stock setup. And this is with the stock cam.

MTPZ06

I'll bet you could pick up a pre-owned FAST 102 manifold for a sweet deal...maybe even a ported stock TB as well. The Mamofied MSD is hands down the intake manifold to have for the LS7; if money isn't a factor.

Prior to the MSD though, the FAST was the go-to intake manifold...heck, its even got a CARB EO#. Many folks have swapped out their FAST for the MSD, so I'm sure someone is willing to let theirs go at a fairly good discount.

Or, you could just drop about $750 bucks on the radical ported stock intake & TB from Peak Speed Shop.

If its me, and I didn't feel like dropping the $ on a Mamofied MSD and NW 102TB...a ported (preowned) FAST and ported stock TB would be a terrific compromise between the cost and the power gains.

Unreal

Disagree on best intake manifold hands down.

Depends on application/etc. If you mean best <$1500 intake that fits under stock hood for a NA car, I agree. If you mean best intake for power, not even close. Many better options depend on cam/setup, but they are all $3k+ and don't fit stock hoods.