Tunnel RAM manifold
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Cohasset MN
Tunnel RAM manifold
My brother gave me a good deal on a Wieand tunnel ram manifold. I have the manifold, lines, and airfilters, but he kept the carbs. They were 650 Holley's. He said they were too much carb for a small block, so I was wondering if anybody knows what size or brand of carbs I should use.
I have a basket case '73 with a 350 small block & auto trans. The carb that came with the car is not original, and is not working too well. I am thinking about getting a new intake system, but I thought the car would look pretty cool with some big hardware on top of the motor. If putting the RAM intake on there is going to be a total nightmare, I may abandon that idea.
Any hints, opinions, or insights would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
I have a basket case '73 with a 350 small block & auto trans. The carb that came with the car is not original, and is not working too well. I am thinking about getting a new intake system, but I thought the car would look pretty cool with some big hardware on top of the motor. If putting the RAM intake on there is going to be a total nightmare, I may abandon that idea.
Any hints, opinions, or insights would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Tunnel RAM manifold (wytevett)
I think those intended for high rpm's like over 4000 since they are drag race manifolds. Unless you intend to drive around at over 4000, I would not put that on. What carb do you have now? You might try a new one or rebuild that one.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,454
Likes: 665
From: Republic of Texas
Re: Tunnel RAM manifold (Fevre)
Tunnel rams are great for racing, but that is all. I laugh when I see people w/ tunnel rams on the street, because they are so impractical. Those intakes have absolutly no bottem end and they don't come alive until 4,00rpms. Two 600's should be good for a small block. You will need gears at least 3.73's to really take advantage of them.
:cheers:
:cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,041
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, KS
Re: Tunnel RAM manifold (wytevett)
You need to look at a pair of 450 Holley carbs.
Contrary to popular belief the tunnel ram will make low end torque. Hot Rod magizine did a test a few months back and got more TQ at 2500 RPM out of a tunnel ram/twin 450 Holley setup than they did from any other combination on a 350 Chevrolet.
Find out if your brother is going to give you the linkage!
Contrary to popular belief the tunnel ram will make low end torque. Hot Rod magizine did a test a few months back and got more TQ at 2500 RPM out of a tunnel ram/twin 450 Holley setup than they did from any other combination on a 350 Chevrolet.
Find out if your brother is going to give you the linkage!
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,909
Likes: 26
From: Clymer PA
Re: Tunnel RAM manifold (wytevett)
My $.02
Unless you have a heavily worked over small block that loves to rev and sees a lot of track time, I would not run a tunnel ram. If you are looking for top end power why not get a single plane (Strip Dominator, Team G etc...) and run a single 4 barrel. Should you decided to go the tunnel ram route, I would get the smallest carbs you could get (unless your small block is heavily built)....two 450cfm four barrels is still a lot of carburetion for a mild small block.
Unless you have a heavily worked over small block that loves to rev and sees a lot of track time, I would not run a tunnel ram. If you are looking for top end power why not get a single plane (Strip Dominator, Team G etc...) and run a single 4 barrel. Should you decided to go the tunnel ram route, I would get the smallest carbs you could get (unless your small block is heavily built)....two 450cfm four barrels is still a lot of carburetion for a mild small block.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 7
From: Indiana
Re: Tunnel RAM manifold (bence13_33)
I'm running a tunnel ram setup in my streetrod. The car weighs 2700# and runs 4.56 gears, 360ci sbc and TH400 w/stall. I went with a pair of 500cfm Carters. Anymore than that on a small block would be a waste. This motor redlines at 7800 and does not even begin to come alive until well past 3000. I would not even think of running that setup in a heavy car and geared any higher than 3.70. For a mild 350 in a fairly heavy car like a vette, there is no way it will work and will actually cost you power and kill acceleration.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Cohasset MN
Re: Tunnel RAM manifold (wytevett)
Thanks for the tips.
It is a plain 350 (190hp, I think) with a quadrajet, I added a Edelbrock cam and tube headers a few years ago. The compression is within 10 pounds on all cylinders, and it does not use any oil. I don't race it or anything, I was just thinking it would look kinda cool to have some extra hardware hanging off the motor. My wife actually drives the car. I only get to drive it on special occasions, or if it needs to be "worked on". We are planning on getting a nicer, possibly newer model with power options for her to drive, so I can have this one to tinker with.
Once the dual carbs are dialed in, do they stay that way, or do they take constant tweaking to keep it running?
It is a plain 350 (190hp, I think) with a quadrajet, I added a Edelbrock cam and tube headers a few years ago. The compression is within 10 pounds on all cylinders, and it does not use any oil. I don't race it or anything, I was just thinking it would look kinda cool to have some extra hardware hanging off the motor. My wife actually drives the car. I only get to drive it on special occasions, or if it needs to be "worked on". We are planning on getting a nicer, possibly newer model with power options for her to drive, so I can have this one to tinker with.
Once the dual carbs are dialed in, do they stay that way, or do they take constant tweaking to keep it running?
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 1
From: Regina Saskatchewan, Canada.
Re: Tunnel RAM manifold (1979toy)
You need to look at a pair of 450 Holley carbs.
Contrary to popular belief the tunnel ram will make low end torque. Hot Rod magizine did a test a few months back and got more TQ at 2500 RPM out of a tunnel ram/twin 450 Holley setup than they did from any other combination on a 350 Chevrolet.
Find out if your brother is going to give you the linkage!
Contrary to popular belief the tunnel ram will make low end torque. Hot Rod magizine did a test a few months back and got more TQ at 2500 RPM out of a tunnel ram/twin 450 Holley setup than they did from any other combination on a 350 Chevrolet.
Find out if your brother is going to give you the linkage!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Cohasset MN
Re: Tunnel RAM manifold (wytevett)
Thanks again. I definately wanted to hear from people who have used one. I thought more about it last night, and I decided if I can't tune a single carb, how am I going to dial in two of them?!?
Right now, it is hard to start. When cruising at about 30mph, it "surges". When I shut it off, it diesels for about 2 seconds. When I stomp it, the motor will kill, but if I jab it to half throttle, it takes off pretty good. Also, it kinda backfires when I let off to come to a stop.
It has always ran poorly, and I thought the points may be at fault for some of it. I installed new points and it made absolutely no difference. Then, I got one of those electronic gizmos that replace the points. That did not make any difference either.
Is the Edelbrock intake and carb system any easier to adjust/maintain than a Holley or Quadrajet?
Right now, it is hard to start. When cruising at about 30mph, it "surges". When I shut it off, it diesels for about 2 seconds. When I stomp it, the motor will kill, but if I jab it to half throttle, it takes off pretty good. Also, it kinda backfires when I let off to come to a stop.
It has always ran poorly, and I thought the points may be at fault for some of it. I installed new points and it made absolutely no difference. Then, I got one of those electronic gizmos that replace the points. That did not make any difference either.
Is the Edelbrock intake and carb system any easier to adjust/maintain than a Holley or Quadrajet?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,899
Likes: 2
From: Summerville SC
Re: Tunnel RAM manifold (wytevett)
Two 450's and you may still have to jet them down! :eek: A good cam not to wild and if it's an automatic you'll need a stall speed converter depending on the cam! :D Looks :cool: Good luck! :yesnod: :cheers:
[Modified by Intimidator454, 4:55 PM 6/13/2002]
[Modified by Intimidator454, 4:55 PM 6/13/2002]
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Cohasset MN
Re: Tunnel RAM manifold (Intimidator454)
Intimidator454, that does look really, really cool.
Thanks again for the tips.
Well, in order to get this thing on the road, I decided to get a Edelbrock carb last night. I got an adapter and bolted it to the stock manifold. I can't believe what a difference. All my problems have been solved. The thing starts and runs great now.
There will be a car swap meet in town this summer, so I will keep my eyes peeled for a pair of 450's.
Thanks again for the tips.
Well, in order to get this thing on the road, I decided to get a Edelbrock carb last night. I got an adapter and bolted it to the stock manifold. I can't believe what a difference. All my problems have been solved. The thing starts and runs great now.
There will be a car swap meet in town this summer, so I will keep my eyes peeled for a pair of 450's.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Tunnel RAM manifold (Intimidator454)
Intimidator454
That is one bad a ss set up. You should have left off the hood scoop though, that tunnel ram is too nice to cover! :yesnod: It would look :cool: just sticking out the hood.
That is one bad a ss set up. You should have left off the hood scoop though, that tunnel ram is too nice to cover! :yesnod: It would look :cool: just sticking out the hood.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,899
Likes: 2
From: Summerville SC
Re: Tunnel RAM manifold (Fevre)
Intimidator454
You should have left off the hood scoop though, that tunnel ram is too nice to cover! :yesnod: It would look :cool: just sticking out the hood.
You should have left off the hood scoop though, that tunnel ram is too nice to cover! :yesnod: It would look :cool: just sticking out the hood.
