Ok, for those of you who have been following the thread regarding the "New Potential Corvette Product"...the intake manifold for L98's, here is the most recent update (I will be providing updates to the forum as they come).

The initial prototype manifold (to determine the effectiveness of our design and because we HAVE to produce a working, testable prototype by mid April because we're wrapping this product development in with a course we're taking) will be designed for the current setup on my engine (my '87 will be the test mule). The reasons for this are three-fold. 1) the only other C4's we have access to for R&D of this system are LT1s (which may be a potential future market for another design). 2) the engine setup I have is a fairly common L98 setup (stock cam, worked L98 heads and longtube headers) and 3) my car has been and will continue to be a testbed for various custom pieces...some of which I may offer up for sale, others of which are better left to their fate ;-)

As such, the prototype piece we will have designed, built and tested by the end of April will be sized for a 350 with a stock cam, long tube headers, and worked heads. Our intention is to prove through various modeling and testing methods (including the requisite dyno and 1/4 mile runs) that our system is a marked improvement over the stock setup while obtaining a cost which is reasonable. We are planning on incorporating into this design the flexibility to swap intake runners for different airflow requirements, runner flanges for different heads (those using FelPro 1205, 1206, maybe 18 deg heads, etc, etc) We are also planning on looking into the possibility of including provisions for EGR, though we make no promises on that front.

There seems to be a strong contingent for something along the lines of a SuperRam, as well as a group looking for a cost-effective alternate to the Miniram. That is also one of the reasons for designing interchangeability of runners and flanges into the design. As for those who were thinking along the lines of a replacement plenum to mount on the Holley Stealth Ram base, we feel we can produce a better design and more effective piece if we start with a clean slate.

The long and short of this is that the prototype that will be tested in April will be for those with mildly worked 350s. New runners, flanges, etc will be worked on following the successful testing of the initial design.

 

I will volunteer to test one on my 87...just to help you out a little. :thumbs:

 

We may be looking for others to test the manifold once the initial tests have been conducted and we're happy with the piece. We will let folks know when that time arises. :yesnod:

 

Sounds good so far. If you are going to test with the stock cam I think low-mid rpm solution would be more beneficial.

 

FWIW, we're going to be using the same method for designing the runner sizes and lengths as we do when we're doing research on NASCAR, road racing, and open wheel manifolds.

 

Who is "We", who is doing the R & D and who is going to be building the manifold? I am sure there will be interest, but who is going to be doing this? I know I hate pulling the super ram, would like to have a mini ram, but don't want to spend the money again.

 

For more information on the who and where, go to http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=488059

 

I'd also like to offer up my '88 as a test mule if so needed ;) :D

Sounds like it's gonna be nice :cool:

:cheers:

 

Sounds good! Is a carbon fiber intake going to be cheap enough for us cheap azzes? What about fiberglass? Or would this be a big blob to get the strength needed?

 

Two suggestions:

1. Come up with a design that is easier to install than the Super Ram or even the stock TPI.

2. Have a design that allows easier service of the injectors than the stock TPI.

Good luck with the project. This is what GM should have done in the beginning.


[Modified by Wildride, 7:38 AM 2/11/2003]

 

Unless you are shooting for the race-only market, I'd strongly suggest include the EGR port. I doubt everyone will want to do a recal to get rid of the SES light, or pass emissions.
I think most people want this for street use.

 

Do you need a test mule in Europe?`

I can volunteer :D

 

Sounds like it will be a 3-piece system like the stock TPI.

Since Apr is your deadline, will pics be comming soon?

 

The prototype piece will likely not be molded until early April, with the prototype carbon piece being laid up in mid April. CAD drawings may be posted earlier, but I will let you know when that happens.

 

I have contacted and worked with several custom intake builders, this is one of several TESTED PROTO-TYPE PLENUMS (unlike the TOTALLY untested PLENUM offered by others made of folded thin aluminum) this one will be in production shortly


Ok its finally available!
A C-4 compatible height plenum that fits the superb flowing HOLLEY EFI STEALTH RAM base yet fits under the stock C-4 hood line
This is a quantum leap forward in airflow over the stock
EFI intake runners and base
The aftermarket base flows significantly more air, than the stock EFI intake
CAREFUL DESIGN changes to the CUSTOM C-4 COMPATIBLE PLENUM designed and tested by FASTERDEALS.COM, INC. Allows a C-4 owner to now fit the superior horsepower potential under a C-4 hood; it has several important design changes to better match the C-4 engine compartment
For EXAMPLE
The rear of the plenum is slightly angled for improved distributor clearance,
The vacuum fittings are moved to the sides for improved distributor clearance, in the tight C-4 engine compartment, the throttle body is angled downward for greater hood clearance the FASTERDEALS.COM, INC design is 3" tall versus original aftermarket plenum which is about 4” inches tall, this brings the height down to about 9” to allow the stock C-4 hood to close.
The FASTERDEALS.COM, INC design plenum will be priced at $249 plus shipping and handling (PLENUM ONLY,DOES NOT INCLUDE STEATH RAM BASE, BASE AVAILABLE WITH CUSTOM PLENUM SHORTLY)
QUESTIONs CALL 1-561-798-9067

pictures are of one of the final TESTED proto-type plenums, the finish on production plenums will be smoother, these are custom made ! it would cost you over $1000 to have most custom shops build you these but they are in production and will be shipped shortly


http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/ld8..._stealhram.jpg

http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/ld8...ram_plenum.jpg

http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/ld8...hood_close.jpg

http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/ld85//otherangle.jpg




[Modified by grumpyvette, 11:00 PM 2/12/2003]

 

Grumpy, your links don't work. It says the album doesn't exist.

 

is it going to be the base or the upper?

 

It's the plenum. That's the upper section.

 

QUOTE: 2) the engine setup I have is a fairly common L98 setup (stock cam, worked L98 heads and longtube headers) END QUOTE

Are you going to test a potential peformance plenum on your car with the above? Do you have better than stock base for the test? That would be nice!

 

If I understand your question correctly, we're not looking to design simply a new plenum for the stock TPI setup. We are designing a completely new base, runner set and plenum, but it will retain the ability to use the stock fuel rails and injectors, OEM sensors and OEM vacuum lines, etc, etc. We are investigating the feasibility of incorporating EGR into this design, though the EGR feature may be postponed until later iterations.