Hi guys... Im posting for a friend who has a 89 IROC-Z. Originally had a L98 in it, but installed a ZZ4m kept the stock TPI upper, but installed a Accel Super Ram lower manifold and some kind of aftermarket runners (not sure of brand) Now he is looking to complete the Super Ram with the upper plenum & runners...
We cant seem to find just the upper anywhere or even the comlete SuperRam for a SB anymore...

The best we could find is this pdf that gives part #74196F - Small Block Super Ram F-body plenum and runners

After searching this part # and also just 74196 which is the std version (non - Fbody) on summit/jegs/etc, we couldnt find it anywhere.

Anybody know if these parts can be had anymore?? If so, is there any other parts he would need to complete the conversion?

Thanks in advance... Chris

 

I believe that Accel stopped producing these. You have to find one on ebay or other private seller.

 

I got mine on Ebay. They show up occasionally.

 

Don't worry , you'll get one if you keep looking on ebay
i look very often for them on ebay just for fun and i can tell you
that you can find one or two monthly. So keep looking everyday !
Expect around 1000-1500 for the whole thing (you can sell the base later).

I suggest you to post a WTB thread on the classified boards
and maybe somebody will chime in.

 

The 74196 is the upper super ram unit, but as was commented, they are no longer built or sold by Accel. I bought mine on the C-4 forum just a month or so ago, and they do pop up occasionally. Summit still has the complete gasket sets, so if you find one used, you can still get a new set of gaskets. You will probably have to buy a complete unit, including the intake manifold when you find one up for sale used.

The unit is a real torque monster and will really come alive with the proper cam/heads. I am installing one on a 383 with a new set of AFR 195 heads and a Comp's Cam # 305 (.510 lift) and 1.6 crane roller rockers.

I will say that the set-up is a real pain in the a$$ to install as there are very tight clearance issues with the runner bolts, and getting everything to seal up without any vacuum leaking. Patience is an absolute requirement for installation, but they will go on properly with close attention to every detail. The complete installation instructions are still available on line at the Accel web site. I will be looking for performance in the 11's when completed.

 

The installation is not that bad , at all , it has been exaggerated for years.
I was real afraid to get a SR Unit because of this and i almost steer in other directions.
But i said what the hell and got one.

It's easy as :
You have to install the runners first, then the fuel rail.
Don't forget to run the TV Cable under the plenum !!!
The plenum has to be tightned from below with a small 1/4 wrench
if you are going to use the small bolts provided.

You have a lid with 17 bolts that you won't be separating it from the plenum never ever
if you stud the plenum.

I bought 1/4 - 28 1 ¼ length studs studs and screw them on the plenum.
then i trial / test and adjust them i put teflon tape on them just to be safe.

After it feels right i put RTV Grey on every gasket and on the plenum itself.
But just a light film,put the gaskets on the runners and proceed to hand tight
the nuts against the studs then tight them well with a 11 mm wrench.

Then the lid installation , if you do it like i did, you won't be taking off the lid in years !
Recently i had to remove the intake manifold and i took it off in a couple of hours !
I didnt touch the lid,so there is one gasket less to worry about.
The studded Super Ram trick makes the installation a quick and easy job !
I dare to say its as easier as a Long tube runner TPI unit.

 

I also bought mine off a forum member several years ago. The install isn't too hard after you've done it a few times Take the valve covers off and notch the inner lip to clear the runners. This makes getting to the lower bolts much easier.

 

I have a "spare" super ram plenum, runners, and lid. I purchased it from a guy on here years ago as a second one I wanted to mod. Anyhow when I opened it up I found the bolts he gave me are not even close and I would have to find some replacements. Also missing one gasket.

Anyhow if you want to discuss the possible purchase of it, send me a PM.
I wont be on here much this week... And I wont send out something that wont bolt up so I will have to find some bolts. (aka go to the store) which I replaced the bolts on my original SR to make assebly easier, and I would probably get the same set up on this.

 

Thanks for the replies guys... Guess its not as simple as ordering it thru summit anymore...

Bill McDonald, I will relay ur msg to my buddy to see if he's interested!

If all he installed before was the lower, what else will he need besides the plenum & runners? Any other parts from the kit??

Also, he is running a Vortech supercharger, would this superram be that beneficial? Or is the SCer forcing the air thru just as efficient thru the stock TPI upper?

Thanks again!

 

A super ram set up just came on the C-4 parts listing. Its a beauty and includes the heads. Check it out.

 

There is not much to the super ram and that is basically it. He will need to take the vacuum fittings off the TPI and put them on the SR, including the brake booster fitting. If he has a MAP sensor he may need to mod (bend) it to fit in place on the SR. And the last thing I can think of is the throttle cable bracket. I dont know if he has an auto and has to deal with the kick down cable. I have a 6 speed and dont know if any tricks are needed. I had to rotate my dist so that the battery hook up was not facing into the plenum so you can set the timing. This may be a corvette only issue as space is tight between the plenum and firewall.

Getting it on the car is a whole different thing. You will read lots of horror stories on this intake install. But if certain things are eliminated such as installing bolts etc. It can be turned into not a big deal. I have done it probably 10 times.

With FI, any mod that is good NA, will work well for a boosted motor. So the super ram will work for him. Something to think about is the extra rpms. a tpi maxes out a bit over 4500 rpms. The super ram will take it up to about 5500 rpms. If he is set up for a super charged tpi and it is not accounted for taking it up to higher rpms, he could over rev the blower (check the rpm redline on the blower). Additional boost will be had with higher rpms. he could also start getting belt slip. But he could already be pushing 6Krpms with the current set up... only he knows. I also notice the off idle grunt was reduced with the super ram so it may help him get traction at lower rpms.

As far as issue if he does install it.

1 will be the super charger outlet lining up with the throttle body. I dont know if the chaged geometry on the super ram will be an issue. The super ram is slighly different. If he has wiggle room to move the outlet he can probably get it to line up.

2 will probably be intake leaks. If installed slighly off, the boost will probably make the leaks real obvious. I never had an issue with leaks but always went over it twice.
I also installed it loose. meaning all parts could move a bit to tweak it all into place to line up every single bolt. One all together, then I would tighten it down, then tighten it a second time. I also put silicone sealent on one side of my gaskets. This held them in place and allowed me to remove the super ram and reinstall without needing new gaskets. If I were going to use the SR on boost I would probably seal both sides of the gaskets, and put a little on every bolt that went into the plenum.

I also changed the botls out to allen heads on the runners into the plenum. this allowed me to be able to screw them in by hand and tighten the with an allen wrench I cut down once snug. The original bolts left hardly any room to finger tighten. so guys would cut slots into them and use a flat screwdriver from the top of the plenum. I did this once and found the screw driver would screw up the threads. Also getting a wrech and also turning it on those runner to plenum bolts was hard. Some guys do the suds with bolts which seems like it would work well too. I just dont like using a bolt in there because getting a wrench between the runners = limited rotation room. Some guys use those ratcheting wrenches for this too.

4 of the inner runner to plenum bolts were hard as hell to install (right between the runners and above the injectors about 3-4 inches back) and I tapped the runners and drilled out the plenum to run the bolts down from the top. this probably removed 3/4ths the frustration in installing a super ram. Most guys on this forum probably have this mod as well.

The rest of it is fairly easy to install. The plenum lid is a non issue. It just feels like your installing 100's of bolts. the only things I can remember is the runner to base bolts. I think the back one might be the only ones where you may need to removed the rockers to tighten the runners down. dont try doing the install with the valve covers on. I also put sealent on these bolts since I think some bases have non blind holes and coolant can leak down the threads. I think some 8 years ago there was a thread where a few of us were debating on filling in the back of the base holes with JB weld.
I also made a took to install the runner to base bolts which is a simple allen wrench cut off and jb welded into a socket of the correct size. then to an extension, to a universal joint, to another extrension. this makes installing those runner to base bolts much easier. the JB weld keeps the allen wrench piece from falling out.

Last will be valve cover clearence. as mentioned, the super ram runners are larger. they often cause the valve covers to no slip back into place. if you grind a semi circle radius into the valve cover rail where the runners are it will slip back in no problem.

Mine look like this.

This is my original super ram and those plugs are for a fogger nitrous kit. Those runners are not what I am selling. The SR for sale is not modded like this.

 

Cool, it depends on the valve covers,i have zero problems with mine
they go in and out very easily

 

Check all of the forums that have TPI cars, you'll find one faster than on ebay, and probably get more info from the original owner.

Not hard to install at all, just use the right methods, and tools.

 

Cool, thanks for all the replies guys... And killer info bill mcdonald. I will send this thread to my buddy, he has a account here on CF, so if hes interested after reading all this I will tell him to contact you Bill M.

Chris