I'm about to decide on a new manifold. What's your opinion on the super ram vs the TPIS unit. Quality... fit...performance? Must have all the fittings for a stock replacement without any hassles. Will be using the TPIS runners.

Who has best prices???

Thanks

 

My vote is for accel, I had a problem with my TPIS manifold not fitting properly at the back of the intake (it wasn't machined properly) and have heard others with worse problems.

 

My vote is for Accel/LPE all the way. TPiS crew isnt all that helpful, and sell low quality, **** poor parts from my experience. Probably not all parts, but the ones I got were, bad impression left...

Matt

 

BTW the TPIS manifold is made by edlebrock, the TPIS runners are made by AS&M (Arizone Speed & Marine) I have those also and I am very happy with quality of them.

 

Sometimes youre paying just for the "Lingenfelter" name on it, but in this case youll want the best quality and it is LPE.

But they flow pretty much the same, within a few cfm im sure. You can take a chance on TPiS if you want because theyll both work, or at least theyre supposed to.

 

Don't think its a performance difference choise. I did however have problems with the accell manifold lining up with the middle two bolts. This could have been a problem with the head placement bolts too. Never will know.

TPIS is not all that impressive in my book. They sent me the wrong cam when I recently ordered my new solid roller. For 4xx dollars you would think they could double check to make sure they sent the right one. :rolleyes:

 

the TPIS runners are definatly better than the accels but then again someone just mentioned AS&M made them, no wonder. as far as the bases go, both are great, take whatever is cheaper. in general cast runners will require more work than extruded to flow. my idea of a sweet tpi setup is the accel base, semi siamese AS&M runners and a totally cut and ported plenum. this would pull hard into the high 5's rpm wise.

 

My choice on base manifold would be Accel

 

Had both bases. From what I could see and measure, if you are going to run stock D port heads the Accell should be fine. If you're going to run like an AFR 195 or similar, there' just not going to be enought beef to port match them. You may likely have a sealing problem on the top of the intake ports of the manifold. The EB or TPIS bases have more casting to work with, and allow for much more hogging etc.


[Modified by h rocks, 11:58 PM 12/17/2002]

 

I don't know much about the manifolds because I went with the mini-ram. I would like to say that I have been very happy in all my dealings with TPIS. They have been very helpful to me. They are active in supporting many area car clubs and the guys show up at events and provide help to anybody who needs it. They were also very instrumental in assisting John Boos last year in his run at the One Lap of America with his '86 Corvette coupe. You may recall that John got 3rd overall in that race. He also had a couple of FTD's. He was only a few points behind second. Anyhow, I'm sure there are many others that are happy with their dealings with TPIS, so let's not all just jump in and condemn them. By the way, I don't have any connections to them, other than they have my credit card number on file, and shipping address, hahaha.

 

I have the TPIS big mouth and i have had no problems at all. i would just go for the best deal you can get. i would consider a used one just to save as much cash as possible.

:cheers:

 

The Accel base only says Accel on it.:)

 

I'm the original owner of my '86 Vette. As you can see by my signature, I just added the TPiS Mini Ram a few months ago. (Also, you'll note, I've done many mods over the years). No problems with the install. However, I did have to grind a little bit of material off my distributor cap for ease of install...
where the cap and manifold meet. No big deal!

Of all the mods I've done, I have to say that the TPiS Mini Ram was the one mod that 'pulled it' altogether for my configuration.

I've no experience with the Accel Manifold, but from what I understand it's a great 'torque monster'.

For my particular application, I wanted a manifold that would be able to see me up through 6200 RPM's. I've not been disappointed. I've had my engine to 6700 RPM (MSD Rev Limiter), but that was a one shot deal, because my TPiS ZZ9 cam stops making horsepower at 6200...so why push it? I was trying to prove a point to myself, and I did. Does this manifold 'breathe' or what?

The most significant value that I get from the TPiS manifold is: the ability of my engine to 'breathe', and make horsepower. Previously, with my modified stock manifold...I could achieve 5600 RPM's, and feel good about it.

Now, I seem (seat of the pants) to be making 'real' horsepower all through the gears...and I have to credit the Mini Ram. After 17 years and 150K plus miles...and now 470 miles ago, I add a Mini Ram...and it's like I'm driving an entirely different Vette.

I wish I could back it up with some time slips, but unfortunatly the rules say once a 'convertible' reaches the 12's...a roll cage is required to continue to compete. I have no desire to add a roll cage.

The point I'm trying to make, is: it all depends on how you want your Vette to perform.

I'd say, if you want a 'street machine'...for some stop light to stop light fun...then go with the Accel, and configure your engine accordingly.

If you want a 'higher rev range' of your engine's capabilities...then the Mini Ram is in your future. Configured properly of course.

Good Luck with your choice and invaluation.

John

 

Well it depends if it was making 300 or 50 hp at 6700, then we'll decide. :D

 

oh i know the feeling, minirams make such a smooth power curve & do very well with large RPM happy cams. if you ever tear the motor down you might like the 409 cam even more as the car would crank right up to 6700rpm. the change from a tpi to mr really changes the personality of the engine. however that change doesn't suit everyone & i still think the sr is a better manifold for mild builds, 5800-6000rpm redlines and mild automatic cars. it's not a huge difference; but that longer runner wakes the motor up earlier. i also can't understand why people slam tpis, they are definatly one of the most helpful companies to deal with & make very high quality products.