Agree about the weight savings....even the more exotic intakes only are good for 5-7 HP on BIG HP modded engines.....this is well documented. I reused my OEM L-82 aluminum intake on my L-82 355 build with AFR 180 64 CC heads, roller cam, and 10.2:1 compression with 1 7/8 inch LTH headers since my builder of the bottom end of the motor, who knows a LOT more than most on this forum told me that changing the intake on sub 6500 RPM stock motors and even moderately modded ones was not worth much gain......even edlelbrock claims only a 5-7 HP gain on the edlebrock RPM...for most its waste of money for performance, not weight, on stock to mildly modified motors

 

Exactly, you had the L82 aluminum intake. Not only does that flow better than the stock Iron intake on the L48, it has the weight savings. If he had an L82 and was doing a mild build on a budget, I would absolutely recommend he keep the Aluminum stock intake.


But he doesn't have an L82, he has an L48. And to most people, 20 pounds off of the nose of the car and a few extra horsepower and torque from a better intake design is worth the small cash outlay. I see aluminum performer intakes on craigslist for $50-$100 all the time.


If he isn't doing heads/cam, then the upgraded intake is BARELY worth it, but once you start having better flowing heads/cam/exhaust, that stock intake is a huge restriction and it would be crazy to NOT replace it with a cheap aluminum Edelbrock.

 

Regardless, L82 intakes are $75 all day long on CL. I bought mine on CL, fixed the stripped vacuum port and painted it up. All in under $100.

Later L48's had the L82 intake so make of that what you want.

 

Yep, plenty of them on ebay as well!


For that price, why wouldn't you take the extra power and lighter weight? No brainer if you ask me!


For reference, I had the stock intake on my motor, and I switched to a Performer RPM (I realize it's a little better intake than the standard performer) and it was a NOTICEABLE difference in power all over.

 

I agree with most of what you're saying, but this statement is way off base. Intake manifolds on high HP builds can make huge differences. Start porting and modding them, and it becomes an even bigger.

I'l defer my own experience to this Hot Rod test of 19 manifolds on a 406 small block.

http://www.hotrod.com/articles/19-si...-intakes-test/

Mike

 

Thanks but I'm in New York, they would cost a fortune to ship.

 

Yeah that's no good. Good luck on your search!

 

True

 

I found a 2101 Performer intake.

Will this fit under my stock hood?

 

ABTL what do you want fo rthem Im in Ca
what do the heads needs?pm

OP try an EPS the blow away the l82 intake and fit.

 

Yes, on the ED-2101 when using a dropbase aircleaner, 3" tall filter element. Wing nut will have a 1/2"> 5/8" clearance under the std hood. So, there is room for a carb spacer / insulator too, but its close. Before you slam any hood, remove the air cleaner bolt and test fit with modeling clay (Silly-Putty). If you make a measuring mistake, that could cost you $600>$1,000 for a cracked hood.

 

A few thoughts-if you want to keep it simple-the L-82 intake saves weight, it's cheap, will match your iron intake so no fooling around with fittings, air cleaner etc.

Rams horns or the 81 up small tubular manifolds if you don't want headers and want a close to stock look. I think I saw a post about rams horn exhaust manifolds that had a larger internal diameter?

Wait to put on the exhaust till you make this change.

A fresh modern cam and a new timing chain-this will really help an older engine with an old design small tired cam and worn chain.

Heads?? I don't know-vortecs get you added expense for an intake and valve covers -aren't they all center bolt? And they are heavy.

An aluminum intake and heads will take quite a bit of weight off the front end at once, and more if you use the last years C-3 stock tubular exhaust manifolds rather than the heavy rams horns-both these exhaust manifolds ought to be cheap if bought used.

If you pull the engine apart and do all these changes at once it will really transform the car

Here's an interesting article on heads and a build up on a simple basic sbc like an L48, though it is a bit dated:

http://www.hotrod.com/articles/ccrp-...head-shootout/

Paint the aluminum heads and the intake, some nice rusty looking exhaust manifolds tune it carefully, and no one will know what you have...just tell 'em it's an L48 with fresh plugs and a tune up seems like you could gain 100hp or more easy with all this

Freshen up and recurve the distrib-that will improve things today for cheap

 

I recommend the Dart SHP head.
The stock intake between the L-48 and L-82 is the same piece.....aluminum or not.....after 72' all you could get was the low rise 4 bbl unit. GM themselves had a high rise RPM like manifold on the LT-1 and 302 DZ for a reason.......and the heads on both of those engines are marginal at best.......the LT-1/DZ intake still runs very close to what the aftermarket has to this day.
Not sure where the confusion started with intakes.....but the 73' L-82 in a Z-28 or Vette had the old cast iron low rise 4bbl unit......this basic casting went right into 1981.......and yes was cast in aluminum later on with zero performance benefit other than weight.
A Performer or RPM is a great and necessary upgrade to compliment the heads.......long tube headers and a camshaft worthy of this combo is important to make a balanced package as well......
Do your research online....go to some car shows and or racetrack and ask what others are running.......

Jebby

 

^if he can find a used RPM or even an EPS that would be the way to go why leave power on the table?
If op has to have a perfprmer I have a nice Qjet one, clean Id let go of for a bill. The rpm is hands down better though theres a million used ones out there. Gm put one on the ZZ4 thats supposed to be pretty good

ATL still trying to figure shipping.

 

Eh. $20 bucks will get it anywhere in the U.S. USPS, FedEx and .... Bikeflights are good options.

 

Thanks everyone. I found a brand new never used Performer intake still in the box for $86.00. I also bought a correct Q-Jet from a forum member for a great price (thanks Dean). I'm sending it to Lars for a complete rebuild.

The car has a mild cam and a new timing chain already so all I need now is a set of heads and headers. This is going to be a winter project.

There are soooo many head and header choices out there. I need to do some more homework on headers and heads.

I don't want to spend a lot, but ceramic coated is a must. I'd prefer aluminum heads but I can live with cast. I do want 64cc head with 2.02 and 1.94 valves.

I'll keep researching.

 

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Flo-T...lug,25118.html

The flow on these for their price is extremely hard to beat.

 

They look nice. Maybe a "tad" more than I want to spend. If I can find a used pair for a reasonable price ($500?) But I have to see what's out there.

I want to do heads, headers and intake at the same time. Any recommendations on headers?

 

$500 for used heads, if you do try and find the history behind them so youre not sinking $ into them. Easy to get upside down real fast.
thats super cheap

 

Think of an engine as an air pump. Restriction anywhere reduces flow everywhere. Head flow dictates power potential. Compression increases power. Cam choice indicates where in the RPM band power is made and can optimize dynamic compression which is the compression the engine sees when operating. Matching components to optimize power in the range you need is the key.
I made 300 HP and 380 ft lbs with a truck cam, stock bottom end and these heads. The right cam would dial it up a lot. They flow better than vortecs, take your stock valve covers, intake and are economical. Have 430 HP potential.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-35...hUkH4f&vxp=mtr
2 1/2" ramhorns and 2 1/2 free flowing dual exhaust at minimums. Headers are way better.https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...make/chevrolet
I would upgrade to a Performer 2101 minimum, they will match up with the head ports well.
This cam should meet your needs and match the head spring rate although I hesitate to recommend anything but a roller. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/c...make/chevrolet
Use these lifters:https://www.summitracing.com/parts/c...make/chevrolet
Use these head gaskets: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/f...make/chevrolet

Or Use this kit if you want more lift. Springs fit pockets in heads. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/c...make/chevrolet