New engine build and need advice...
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
New engine build and need advice...
I have a 73 vert and I'm changing over to a 5 speed and a 383. I'm down to picking an intake manifold. Just need one that's going to fit physically under the hood and with my engine combo. So far I'm going to run between 9 and 10 to 1 compression. Probably closer to 9. I'm installing the powerjection III fuel injection system which takes a square bore intake. Also picked a lunati hyd roller cam part number 10020LK. Specs below.
Advertised Duration (Intake/Exhaust) 276/286
Duration @.050" (Intake/Exhaust) 218/228
Gross Valve Lift (Intake/Exhaust) .503"/.503"
Lobe Seperation 112
Intake Center Line 108
RPM Range 1800-5800
I've have chosen AFR 195 heads and Thorley headers. If you have any suggestions on the intake I would appreciate it. Also if you have any comments on the above items or general suggestions I'm always open for new ideas and any help.
Oh and one last question.... Would I be better off with angled or straight plugs being I'm using the Thorley headers?
Thank you
Advertised Duration (Intake/Exhaust) 276/286
Duration @.050" (Intake/Exhaust) 218/228
Gross Valve Lift (Intake/Exhaust) .503"/.503"
Lobe Seperation 112
Intake Center Line 108
RPM Range 1800-5800
I've have chosen AFR 195 heads and Thorley headers. If you have any suggestions on the intake I would appreciate it. Also if you have any comments on the above items or general suggestions I'm always open for new ideas and any help.
Oh and one last question.... Would I be better off with angled or straight plugs being I'm using the Thorley headers?
Thank you
Last edited by ChevellRCR; Feb 21, 2012 at 11:53 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
I don't know the compression ratio, but with those heads you could run a lot more camshaft. If you stick with that camshaft, you would probably want the performer intake, to match the camshaft. With that camshaft I would figure 180 cc eliminators would be a better match. Just my .02$
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
RPM airgap. I am pretty sure it works with a dropbase air cleaner. Your cam looks like a good match for the compression. The 195 heads can handle more cam but more cam needs more compression. Without more compression and cam you will still get more power across the board with those heads than 180's or a different manufacturer. The FI will like the cam duration and 112 LSA. Sounds like a good combo to me.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
If you get angle plug heads you will need angle plug headers. If you have straight plug headers you will need straight plug headers. If you already have the headers find out if you need either angle plugs or straight.
I put a set of old school angle plug headers on my car and my headers were for straight plugs. I have to beat the hell out of the pipe to get the spark plugs in.
Just trying to save you some future headaches.
Good luck.
I put a set of old school angle plug headers on my car and my headers were for straight plugs. I have to beat the hell out of the pipe to get the spark plugs in.
Just trying to save you some future headaches.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Thank you for for your help. Glad to see I'm on the right track.
RPM airgap. I am pretty sure it works with a dropbase air cleaner. Your cam looks like a good match for the compression. The 195 heads can handle more cam but more cam needs more compression. Without more compression and cam you will still get more power across the board with those heads than 180's or a different manufacturer. The FI will like the cam duration and 112 LSA. Sounds like a good combo to me.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Thank you. I will contact Thorley this morning when they open and see what these headers are actually designed to fit. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction.
If you get angle plug heads you will need angle plug headers. If you have straight plug headers you will need straight plug headers. If you already have the headers find out if you need either angle plugs or straight.
I put a set of old school angle plug headers on my car and my headers were for straight plugs. I have to beat the hell out of the pipe to get the spark plugs in.
Just trying to save you some future headaches.
Good luck.
I put a set of old school angle plug headers on my car and my headers were for straight plugs. I have to beat the hell out of the pipe to get the spark plugs in.
Just trying to save you some future headaches.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
I may have to run a performer intake but will hold off until after the build to measure it. I was hoping a performer rpm would fit being the 73 has the cowl induction hood. Just was wondering if anyone else had tried this combo. Also thank you for the notes on the cam. I really dont want to go larger though at this time as I'm trying to stay mostly street and keep good vacuum.
I don't know the compression ratio, but with those heads you could run a lot more camshaft. If you stick with that camshaft, you would probably want the performer intake, to match the camshaft. With that camshaft I would figure 180 cc eliminators would be a better match. Just my .02$
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
I may have to run a performer intake but will hold off until after the build to measure it. I was hoping a performer rpm would fit being the 73 has the cowl induction hood. Just was wondering if anyone else had tried this combo. Also thank you for the notes on the cam. I really dont want to go larger though at this time as I'm trying to stay mostly street and keep good vacuum.
But if you look at edelbrocks catalog or website it will say the rpm won't fit on corvette. The low rise that came on the cars used a taller filter to match up to the hoods cowl function. As long as you don't care about the cowl function no reason to use a performer especialy on a 383 with good heads.
On my 73 454 i used three different manifolds on it, A high rise dual plane chevy manifold of that time period also a trantula with an 850 holley considered a single plane race manifold back then, also a tripower off a 69. ( they were low rise )
Last edited by Little Mouse; Feb 22, 2012 at 03:22 PM.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Thank you. I will measure it out but I like the idea of having the better RPM intake. I was digging through my parts stash and found I have a Holley street dominator manifold. I wonder how it stacks up. Claimed RPM range is idle to 6000.
Theres at least dozens on this forum using the rpm under the 73 hood with carbs and the right drop base filter. Back in 74 i had a 454 73 i used a high rise manifold and a chevy 14 inch drop base filter and shut the hood. I don't have to tell you how much taller a 454 is then a SBC to begin with. What i'm getting at you have a lot more room then you think under the 73 hood.
But if you look at edelbrocks catalog or website it will say the rpm won't fit on corvette. The low rise that came on the cars used a taller filter to match up to the hoods cowl function. As long as you don't care about the cowl function no reason to use a performer especialy on a 383 with good heads.
On my 73 454 i used three different manifolds on it, A high rise dual plane chevy manifold of that time period also a trantula with an 850 holley considered a single plane race manifold back then, also a tripower off a 69. ( they were low rise )
But if you look at edelbrocks catalog or website it will say the rpm won't fit on corvette. The low rise that came on the cars used a taller filter to match up to the hoods cowl function. As long as you don't care about the cowl function no reason to use a performer especialy on a 383 with good heads.
On my 73 454 i used three different manifolds on it, A high rise dual plane chevy manifold of that time period also a trantula with an 850 holley considered a single plane race manifold back then, also a tripower off a 69. ( they were low rise )
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
One thing I was thinking about last night was the oil pan. Will a standard oil pan fit in my 73? Reason I'm asking is the new engine is going to be a 1 piece rear seal so I'm going to need a different pan than the original.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Tucson Az
If your budget is gone use the intake you have but if not get the RPM its better than the street dominator for your combo, even the chinese knock off from Prof Products is not a bad manifold but I prefer the RPM or the Dart SHP both about the same price.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Thank you. I want the combo to be right. No sense in fudging on a part as cheep as an intake.
