52mm and ported base?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 58
From: God's Country The Old Dominion
52mm and ported base?
If I change the stock throttle body to a new 52mm will I need to port the existing base or should I buy a new one? I am told that the stock base isn't large enough so if a new one is the ticket who makes the best?(or at least a good one) Should I look at the same manufacturer for both pieces? Thanks. :chevy
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,130
Likes: 7
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: 52mm and ported base? (Too Slow '90)
If your engine has no modifications inside,getting a larger TB wont help much.
Even bolting on ported bases and larger runners dont gain enough for the dollars invested.
However,if youre set on doing those mods,to compliment future engine mods in your plans, id suggest a larger manifold base,runners,port your plenum a little and keep the stock TB and save 300 bucks.
Im not sure about ported stock intake manifolds...cant see it improving power too much as compared to a bigger manifold.
:)
Even bolting on ported bases and larger runners dont gain enough for the dollars invested.
However,if youre set on doing those mods,to compliment future engine mods in your plans, id suggest a larger manifold base,runners,port your plenum a little and keep the stock TB and save 300 bucks.
Im not sure about ported stock intake manifolds...cant see it improving power too much as compared to a bigger manifold.
:)
Pro
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 596
Likes: 0
From: Auburn Georgia
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: 52mm and ported base? (Too Slow '90)
The 52mm will not help you at all! porting the stock base will help a little, but not near what an after market base will. the best base IMHO is the Accel. you can get one for under $400 from rich@cruzinperformance.com :yesnod:
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,139
Likes: 1,728
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: 52mm and ported base? (WINNER)
get the Accel base or the TPIS BigMouth either allows for major porting, and if you decide to put a SR on it, youll already have the base for it. A 52mm wont be needed until you put a SR on your car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,589
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From: DrunkDefender
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
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St. Jude Donor '07-'10
Re: 52mm and ported base? (Too Slow '90)
Yup, yup, yup. I agree with everyone here. Get the base first, then some large runners and lastly a 52mm throttle body. I just have the base, stock runners, mildly home ported plenum and stock throttle body. The base helped quite a bit and is a worthwhile mod. My before and after dyno results back this up.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta GA
Re: 52mm and ported base? (red90sixspeed)
Can you tell me anything about your headers, i.e. were they a direct fit, any noticeable difference and, do you think you would have got just as much benefit from porting your stock exhaust manifolds?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: DrunkDefender
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
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St. Jude Donor '07-'10
Re: 52mm and ported base? (WHRITZY)
Well, they're sort of a direct fit. They bolt up just like the stock ones but they dont have the air tube (smog stuff) provisions for the L-98. They have a threaded bung on top of them for the LT-1 that I welded up since I cant use it for anything. Other than that they'll bolt right in as they are the same exact design as the original manifolds, just with different smog stuff. I did get about a 7 rwhp (at peak) gain from them but it improved power and torque all the way across the rpm range with gains of as much as 10 at various points in the rpm band. Theres not much room at all to port the stock exhaust manifolds and these are much better quality and are much larger than the stockers. I only used these cause a forum member sold em to me at a great price but I'd do it again.
As for intakes, I strongly reccomend the accell base over a ported stock one. Hands down its much better and worth the money.
As for intakes, I strongly reccomend the accell base over a ported stock one. Hands down its much better and worth the money.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: 52mm and ported base? (WHRITZY)
Test data on an L98 has shown that the biggest exhaut mod gain came from Y-pipes and cat change; long tube headers were not nearly as effective. You've got mail.
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