Is it worth upgrading intake manifold
10-04-2018, 08:59 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Is it worth upgrading intake manifold
Hey guys,
So on my 68 I have a SBC350 and the items I'm upgrading currently are; long tube headers and side pipes, new alternator/starter/fuel pump and HEI. I'm still searching for a quadra jet to send to Lars. Based on these upgrades, is there anything to be gained by upgrading my intake manifold? If so, any suggestions?
So on my 68 I have a SBC350 and the items I'm upgrading currently are; long tube headers and side pipes, new alternator/starter/fuel pump and HEI. I'm still searching for a quadra jet to send to Lars. Based on these upgrades, is there anything to be gained by upgrading my intake manifold? If so, any suggestions?
10-04-2018, 09:29 PM
#2
Racer
I assume you're considering a dual plane intake. Do you have future plans for other improvements like better heads or cam? If not, I would stay with the stock intake. Without those other changes, I don't think the engine would be able to take advantage of any improved flow you may get from aftermarket intakes, so you wouldn't really notice a difference. It's generally the heads and exhaust that are the restrictions.
MajD
MajD
10-04-2018, 09:34 PM
#3
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
I dont think I'm going to go as far as changing heads and cam. Im only doing minor mods and hopefully when I have more money in the future ill find a 427 to put in the car.
10-04-2018, 10:08 PM
#4
Racer
If you like tinkering with things, you can pick up a cheap stock intake and do a little port work on it and see if you notice any improvements.
Last edited by MajD; 10-04-2018 at 10:08 PM.
10-04-2018, 10:24 PM
#5
Race Director
Way back in the day when I was young, I had to do performance mods a little at a time as I could afford them.
I have to say that swapping out the carb and intake, installing headers and a dual point distributor seamed to make the motors run smoother and improved performance.
Others will argue that without performance heads you are wasting your money, but a good aftermarket intake will perform better than stock.
It may be slight, but there was always an improvement over stock.
I have to say that swapping out the carb and intake, installing headers and a dual point distributor seamed to make the motors run smoother and improved performance.
Others will argue that without performance heads you are wasting your money, but a good aftermarket intake will perform better than stock.
It may be slight, but there was always an improvement over stock.
10-04-2018, 10:26 PM
#6
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
any recommendations? the ones I read up on were the performer intakes, seems like it would be pretty easy to just swap it out with the stock one
10-04-2018, 10:49 PM
#7
Melting Slicks
ditch the old cast iron intake and swap to a modern aluminum like the performer.
you will save a ton of weight off the front end by doing that.
when Lars did my carby, i also sent him my dissy to tweak as well.
you will save a ton of weight off the front end by doing that.
when Lars did my carby, i also sent him my dissy to tweak as well.
10-04-2018, 10:53 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
It never even occurd to me to send lars a distributor along with the carb lol, I'm still looking for a decent quadra jet. as for the intakes what do you think of the performer air gap? I found a couple online used for like $175, decent deal?
10-04-2018, 11:12 PM
#9
Race Director
Call Edelbrock, tell them what heads you have, even though they are stock and ask them which intake manifold will match up closest to the intake ports on you heads.
See what they recommend with your intended set up.
Hopefully someone will chime in on which intake and drop base air cleaner will fit under your stock hood.
Edelbrock will tell you that only a couple of their intakes will fit under the hood, but they measure using their intake and OEM air filter and elements.
With a drop base filter the Air Gap might fit, but may not be a good intake for your engine set up without aftermarket heads and camshaft.
See what they recommend with your intended set up.
Hopefully someone will chime in on which intake and drop base air cleaner will fit under your stock hood.
Edelbrock will tell you that only a couple of their intakes will fit under the hood, but they measure using their intake and OEM air filter and elements.
With a drop base filter the Air Gap might fit, but may not be a good intake for your engine set up without aftermarket heads and camshaft.
Last edited by OldCarBum; 10-04-2018 at 11:14 PM.
10-05-2018, 12:34 AM
#10
Safety Car
I doubt it will fit under your hood if everything else is stock. "Air Gap" means higher and it is....
10-05-2018, 12:43 AM
#11
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
yeah its basically stock except for the edelbrock air cleaner with the drop base
10-05-2018, 01:35 PM
#12
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Oct 2002
Location: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
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Intake, headers, cold air low restriction air cleaner, electronic ignition are all small 5hp to 10hp improvements that would be difficult to feel the difference driving. But they do add up and can make a difference in power/driving. Usually the biggest gain with a stock motor is in the tune. Better advance curve along with a tuned carburetor can make power you can feel. A air/fuel monitor is popular now for carb tuning.
For intake manifolds I like my Edel Performer Air Gap. Wieand makes some nice low intakes also.
For intake manifolds I like my Edel Performer Air Gap. Wieand makes some nice low intakes also.
10-05-2018, 02:54 PM
#13
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
how did you get the air gap to fit? do you have the 454 hood? I have the 427 hood and the Edelbrock filter on top appears to be set on a drop base.
10-05-2018, 03:28 PM
#14
the 454 and 427 are the same hood. The L88 hood is higher and I use that hood on a SB with the factory drop base air cleaner, Edelbrock RPM Air Gap, and 4" filter.
10-05-2018, 03:36 PM
#15
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Hmmm I really dont want to change the hood on mine, perhaps a Weiand instead. from reading online it appears that the Weiand is lower profile and should fit easier.
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titanle (10-05-2018)
10-05-2018, 07:19 PM
#17
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Theres a person local here selling a Weiand 8120WND for $100. Any thoughts on that one?
10-05-2018, 08:48 PM
#18
Le Mans Master
I have an RPM air gap with a dropped base air cleaner and it fits fine
An aftermarket intake won't hurt a thing and will normally help a bit.
An aftermarket intake won't hurt a thing and will normally help a bit.
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titanle (10-05-2018)
10-05-2018, 09:00 PM
#19
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
I may just bite the bullet and do the whole 9 yards. Quadrajet or Holley Carb, Lunati Voodoo Cam, Performer RPM, Air Gap or Weiand intake manifold, closed chamber heads and lt headers/sidepipes.