Mini-Ram vs Converted LT1 Intake?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
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Mini-Ram vs Converted LT1 Intake?
A very good friend of mine who typically knows exactly what he is talking about said that he has seen first hand a 40 RWHP difference between a mini ram motor and the same motor running a converted LT1 intake.
He said that although the mini ram looks like an LT1 intake if you look at it really close you can still see a much smaller plenum size and longer runners than the LT1, making it more TPI-ish than the LT1 intake.
It makes sense but I feel like his claim of 40 HP is a little bit exagerated.
Any thoughts?
BTW I am NOT looking for a debate of the mini ram vs the super ram or TPI vs the others. I am strictly looking for thoughts about the Mini Ram vs the LT1 intake so let's please try to keep it on track.
It seems like if the LT1 intake performs that much better it would certainly be the cheaper way to go, being that they can be had for a dime a dozen while TPIS wants a small fortune for the mini ram. Sure you have to spend a little money to convert the LT1 intake to work, but it seems like you would still come out ahead.
He said that although the mini ram looks like an LT1 intake if you look at it really close you can still see a much smaller plenum size and longer runners than the LT1, making it more TPI-ish than the LT1 intake.
It makes sense but I feel like his claim of 40 HP is a little bit exagerated.
Any thoughts?
BTW I am NOT looking for a debate of the mini ram vs the super ram or TPI vs the others. I am strictly looking for thoughts about the Mini Ram vs the LT1 intake so let's please try to keep it on track.
It seems like if the LT1 intake performs that much better it would certainly be the cheaper way to go, being that they can be had for a dime a dozen while TPIS wants a small fortune for the mini ram. Sure you have to spend a little money to convert the LT1 intake to work, but it seems like you would still come out ahead.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,108
Likes: 126
From: S.L.C. UT
I would think the miniram would make more power than a converted LT1 mainfold. The miniram has much larger ports and does have a 3.5" runner length. My miniram made 477 rwhp on motor when I dynoed it a couple years ago. I have improved my exhaust and done a couple of other things, and would think it's over 500 rwhp N/A now.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,150
Likes: 1
From: Carlsbad, CA CA
Originally Posted by vader86
Seems blatantly wrong to me.
Ther is no way the LT1 intake can make more power than the Miniram. If you look inside of both intake you can easily see the miniram can carry more volume. The inside of the miniram is completely open with huge ports. I would think a ported LT4 intake is probably a match for the stock minram.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by zelement
Ther is no way the LT1 intake can make more power than the Miniram. If you look inside of both intake you can easily see the miniram can carry more volume. The inside of the miniram is completely open with huge ports. I would think a ported LT4 intake is probably a match for the stock minram.The LT1 is a stock intake, as such, it won't be as optimized as a purely performance intake.
40hp? I doubt it's THAT much, but I would think the miniram would be stronger.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
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Originally Posted by zelement
Ther is no way the LT1 intake can make more power than the Miniram. If you look inside of both intake you can easily see the miniram can carry more volume. The inside of the miniram is completely open with huge ports. I would think a ported LT4 intake is probably a match for the stock minram.Also, runner size isn't everything. If you have a very small plenum it doesn't really matter how large the runners are.
Anybody have any actual numbers rather than just speculation?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 844
Likes: 0
From: Cape Cod Ma
No. No numbers against the two. But when i swiched to the mini-ram it was a night-day difference.
There is no posible way the lt could be close to the mini-ram.
On my engine the mini's ports matched the heads after a small port, so there not very big.
There is no posible way the lt could be close to the mini-ram.
On my engine the mini's ports matched the heads after a small port, so there not very big.
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