Hi

I was looking for some info a BB intakes that will fit under my 66 BB bubble. I have used the stock 427/425 intake for some time but it wont do the job for my new motor as it needs more air.

Any suggestions short of measuring the height of my existing one versus what is available? I know there are a number of "go as fast as you dare" owners here who might have some recommendations for me.

Thanks

Doug

 

Sounds like you built a monster! I used a Torker 2-R on my 66 with a 454. Nice size ports, low profile. I swapped it because I am going for the original (450 HP) look. Do you plan on keeping the stock intake? I am looking for one, and plan on selling the Torker.

If you have rect port heads your choices are limited. The Performer RPM won't fit. Your choice of air cleaner (drop base - height) also is important.

Rgds, Mike

 

Hi Mike

Thanks for your reply

Not a real monster, just making up for the bad gas these days. It will be a 496 but the builder will only guarantee his figure of 650 hp with his manifold choice and not with my original. I do have square ports and am keeping the original parts so I apologize for not being able to help you there.

I was hoping to see if someone has fit the Victor Jr BB intake under a stock hood. Ditto on the air cleaner. I have player around with a couple of AM ones that have a little better flow characteristics. Check out page 5 on the midyear pics thread and there is a 67 BB with a 4 inch. Maybe the 67 hoods have more room.

Thanks again

Doug

 

My Perspective…….. I just went thru this

I wanted to use my stock 66 hood and air filter, and maintain as much "period correct" cosmetics as possible.

I started with a std 850 DP Holley with GM intake with the plenum divider cut down 1" (from carb pad), then went to the 2nd design L-88 (with the modified/smaller plenum divider opening).. with a ZL-1 850DP Holley.that was with a 468.

Now I'm working on a 6500 RPM 496, so I knew I needed more/better... I ran across an old Edelbrock C427X. Same basic design, and height, as the GM intake, but with significantly larger runner and plenum volume, and larger head-matching areas/ports (good for the new larger port heads; AFR, Brodix, etc...... fits perfect on the Brodix RR, but you have to deal with the extra intake bolt issue with the AFR's..... no big deal, a little shop work, and all works/looks fine :-) ).

Actually they made both a C427 and a C427X, the X had the plenum divider cut like an 2nd design L-88 intake. What I did was cut/open the divider even more (almost like a first design L-88), slightly open & clean up the runners/plenum, and port match them to the newer big port heads. I’ll be doing some testing soon and I’ll pass on the results..... with a 1000 CFM Holley HP (down-leg boosters)

Check Ebay for the C427/C427X intakes...... you see them there from time to time. The X intakes were to high flow/low velocity for low RPM street 427's (even worse low end than the L-88 intakes I’d bet)....... but they look like a good (period correct) option for a strong big motor, we’ll see.

 

Doug,
Its me again...I have on my car the GM Winters Marine BB manifold. It has no plenum divider and HUGE ports, way bigger than than the Torker. It is more than what I need for a stock 454, but it does fit, and kinda looks correct.

Maybe somebody can comment on its performance?

BTW these pop up on ebay also; if interested I can dig out the part #.

 

Sounds like you have the real L88 intake. There was only one style not early or late. Teriffic intake for both street or strip. The only apparent difference between the L72 intake and L88 is the open plenum. There is no low end HP loss with the L88 as once you press on the gas your immediately already way past 4000 rpm`s on your way to 7000+

 

Doug, I am mainly familiar with the 69 L88 setup but if the GM highrise fits then a Holley Strip Dominator should fit since it has the same back to front slope as the GM. A Victor Jr. will only fit if you have the pad milled to the proper angle. A forum member is running one on his 67 with a 548 that Bernard Mondello milled and ported for him. Check C3 Tech and performance for a recent post of his on his dyno results.

 

Doug, just went thru the same situation with my 66 BB coupe. I used a Edelbrock Performer 2-0. This intake is the new version of the old Torker intake. This intake is the lowest profile intake that Edelbrock makes for BB chevy next to the outdated engineered Torker. Edelbrock makes this in the polished Aluminum "Endurashine" finish that will not tarnish from fuel/oil. Not shure the exact hieght but lower than the Edelbrock RPM intake. james

 

Interesting

I've seen 2 types...... I was convinced both were factory pieces.

What most call the "1st design" has basically the complete divider removed (full width, ~3").
What most call the "2nd design" has only a 2" wide, 1 3/4" deep plenum "window".

Not trying to argue, just stating my personal experience/understanding. Yours may differ

 

I have the Marine hi rise with bronze water passages and NO temp or heater outlet ports, #6269318, date code like 1975.

It is open plenum, BIG ports...with Winters snowflake

 

All the L88`s which I purchased new as crate engines were equiped with complete open plenum intakes, nothing else and capable of 600 raw horsepower as a stock engine. I also bought several, and at a cost of $1200.00 each. Heres where I put a pair of them.

 

Thanks Guys

There has been a wealth of info shared by all of you and there are one or two that have my attention more than others. One thing for sure is that technology has increased power dramatically over the years and while some "old ideas" are incorporated into todays high tech, the dyno's separate good from better. I like the idea of the RPM air gap tech from Edelbrock as a "crossover" approach but I am not sure on the clearance issue. Summit states that it will not fit under a stock midyear hood but they say nothing of BB hoods. I think a phone call to them might be helpful so that is next on my agenda

On the other hand they give all of the carburetor pad heights with each manifold as well as how to determine this figure on their website. If someone has either of the 65 to 67 425/435/430 HP intakes off of their motor that measurement will end all questions. With one of those intakes (stock divider) and a 850 DP I use up all of the space under the bubble so that pad height is my limit. There is the possibility of a lower carb but the one I have (750 demon) has not performed well for me to date.

I am going to go have a chat later today with the guy building the motor and see just what intake he says that he wants to use and I will post that later on this thread as a FYI.

BTW that marine intake does sound interesting and I am going to see if I can scrounge up some data on it.

Talk with you later

Doug

 

i have a stack of them here (GM BB intakes, old E-brock, etc)..... if you place a GM alum intake upside down on a level surface (no carb studs) and measure from the flat/level surface to the end gasket surfaces you get: front = 4 1/8" rear = 5 5/8". (all the GM high-rise HP alum intakes are the same height; L-72, L-88, etc)

if you need an intake let me know. i took one of the GM intakes and cut the divider down 1" (same as the current Edelbrock RPM intake...) nice paired with a 850DP with stock jetting (you should really should stagger jet for open plenum L-88/ZL-1 intakes). i have this intake and a NIB 850DP if you need it. i also have a second design L-88/ZL-1 with a new/corresponding, stagger jetted/flow tabbed 850DP if you want that.

but like i said, i'd look into an old C427X...... if i remember correctly, someone on the chevelleforum tested one and found it had better flow distribution than an Ebrock Air-Gap.

 

Hi

So does that mean you have one of these C427X intakes? If so I am interested. It might be interesting to compare what is going in your motor with what this guy has planned for mine.

I am in a bad way right now for staying in touch. There has been a mishap at my house and my DSL is down until next week. Right now I am at a local java shop checking in on my mail.

I appreciate all the input and help and would like to hear about that intake you recommended. I already have an 850 DP and am hopeful that it will flow enough but if necessary I will go bigger. BTW is that 1000 cfm you are using have the same base height? I have played with some am air cleaner assemblies trying to make the most of the space available. Those breathe through tops from KN look terrible but I am thinking of trying one. I removed the rain shields off my hood bubble and that just might work and help make up for the difficulty in getting a big air cleaner in there. Just don't dare open the hood because they are really ugly.

Doug

 

Another tradeoff - air cleaner height. You don't want to run too high a manifold then choke off flow with a low air cleaner.

I was trying to fit my new (marine) hi riser and found the lowest profile bottom pan was the stock one. The smallest filter that fits is 3 in, and that does not leave much room inside for flow! Might have to raise the hood about 1/4 in to clear...

Think about dyno testing with your actual in-car setup if possible.
Rgds, Mike

 

Hi

I just spent some time on the phone with the tech support at Edelbrock. Going by the measurements you submitted a L72 needs an additional 1/2 inch of clearance to run the new air gap manifold for rect port heads.

I went and did the play dough test and have more than the recommended 1/2 inch. More like about 2/3 inch. Granted my block was twice decked and consequently I had to mill the intake some to sit right but I do not think that difference is significant.

So I am going to run the risk and try this intake. BTW What intake did you end up choosing for your new motor?

Doug

PS I asked them about the C427X intake and they said that was made about 30 years ago.

 

Check ML67...that's Mark...he is the one with the milled Victor Jr under his '67 hood. He uses the L-88 fresh air setup on it.

Other single plane intakes that will most likely work are the Holley Strip Dominator or the older style Team G. You will need to buy that one used..the newer ones are taller. Look for one with the bolt holes at the top of the intake ports..the newer/taller ones have eliminated those holes like most race manifolds. Both of those intakes fit under my '67 427 hood fine. The advantage of them is that they are aleady milled at an angle like a stock one to lower front of carb. It takes a little work to get the Victor right...you have to weld and redrill holes etc...but it can be done.

The C-427's are an option for sure or you can go straight to the C-454's that used a Dominator on a dual plane. How cool is that? I've got one of those in the garage too for a future project someday.


JIM

 

I have an RPM Air Gap on my 427 under the 66 BB hood, it fits no problem with a drop base air cleaner from Holley.

 

That is nice to hear. How do you like the manifold?

Doug