Vortec Intake reccommendations

by Sinister Mon May 14, 2012 4:24 pm

I'm thinking most aftermarket intakes are mostly copies of factory cast iron.
Looking at probably a stock height as I'd like to keep the stock hood.
I'm leaning toward the summit branded manifold as they are finished by Weiand.
Anyone running a crosswind,hurricane,typhoon?
I see quite a few manufacturers making an air gap copy.
Any recommendations appreciated.
Thanks.

by jerry46765 Mon May 14, 2012 5:37 pm

What carb, cam, exhaust, transmission/converter, rear axle ratio?

You don't want a single plane unless you are running a long duration cam, loose converter, and low rear axle gears.

You should get a GM performance parts catalog since it would show you power levels of different builds based around an L31 engine. If you can't find one, pm me with your email address.

Thanks-

by Sinister Mon May 14, 2012 7:08 pm

Holley 3310,headers,Turbo 350,2000 stall converter,stock cam,308 Posi.
I live in the country,all roads are 55 mph,all highway speeds.
Some drag racing hopefully. GoFast

by ant7377 Mon May 14, 2012 7:37 pm

Are you running Vortec heads ? If so use Edlebrocks perfomer for Vortec heads. THey make a air gap version too but you dont need it the performer works fine that is what I have. The air gap is a Pain in the A$$ when its a little cold out because the runners are so far from the carb it takes a long time to get the carb warm enough to work correctly and really the results performance wise is negligible. Its not worth the extra cost for a car that is 90 percent of the time street driven. Spend a little extra and get a American made manifold,dont put Chinese stuff on your car,sometimes they dont cast them right too and you end up with problems.

by jerry46765 Mon May 14, 2012 8:47 pm

Dual plane all the way and yes the catalog sales company name branded stuff is usually crummy chinese crap. Cheapest or most expense isn't always best.

by 77mali Mon May 14, 2012 9:41 pm

I'm pretty happy w/ my Edelbrock Intake (#2116). Mine is mated to a Qjet & RHS heads with Comp Cams Magnum Rockers. Only thing I wish I had done different is to have bought the powder coated version versus "as cast aluminum".

by Sinister Tue May 15, 2012 3:17 am

I wouldn't mind spending $200-$300 on a manifold if there was a substantial power gain...but most manifolds just support the carb.
I've seen lots of Asian castings that seem to work well,and others that fail miserably...kinda like connecting rods...most are cast over seas..then finished here.
I've never had a summit part that was low quality...my main reason for keep going back.

by ant7377 Tue May 15, 2012 8:47 am

What manifold do you use now?

by Sinister Tue May 15, 2012 9:09 am

Engine swap...junked the two piece plastic TBI junk.

by Biomedtech Tue May 15, 2012 11:32 am

In the process of doing the same swap. I'm running the Edelbrock RPM air gap on the stock vortec heads with an Edelbrock 600cfm carb. Stock cam for now.

by 74Malibu383 Tue May 15, 2012 1:06 pm

I'm running the RPM Air Gap as well. Never had a problem with it when cold.

by ant7377 Tue May 15, 2012 3:19 pm

Try it when its 30 degrees out it dosent like it .

by jerry46765 Tue May 15, 2012 6:42 pm

ant7377 wrote:Try it when its 30 degrees out it dosent like it .

I don't know, so I have to ask, why would the carb care if it's cold?

My buddy has an LS1 with a carbed single plane in a 1/2 ton 4x4 pick-up and it's driven year round.
It's an air gap manifold and an LS1 doesn't have coolant flow through the intake.
And I am sure there is an open element air cleaner on it year round.

Once you are off the choke, what wouldn't the carb like?

BTW, on the intake selection Edelbrock also makes all the GM performance intakes, so I wouldn't pay a premium for the GM intakes. If the motor is stock, the Vortec Performer is the solid bet.

My last vortec motor had the ramjet on it. When I sold it, the guy didn't want the ramjet so I have it in a box on the shelf for the next one. His loss, my gain.

Thanks -

by Sinister Tue May 15, 2012 7:47 pm

The one nice thing about stock height manifolds is they are easy to plumb with a decent air cleaner.
I have a stock height on my Trans Am,and I'm having a ton of problems getting a hood to fit.
Not too worried about it as I have a couple to play with.
For now I'll try a basic manifold and get the car dialed in,and see how it runs.
Not too many reviews of anything other than Edelbrock.

by bigredlaguna Tue May 15, 2012 9:10 pm

"I don't know, so I have to ask, why would the carb care if it's cold?"

It's mostly about atomization of the fuel, and getting the fuel to transition into a gaseous state faster. As most of us should know- liquid fuel doesn't burn, it is the vapor that does.

Cold, moist air doesn't promote this very well. The ideal situation would have the air cold and the fuel warm (without vapor locking).

The different accounts of cold weather operation between ant and jerry may be the difference between the tune of the carburetors or simply the condition of the ignition system.

by 77mali Tue May 15, 2012 10:02 pm

bigredlaguna wrote:"I don't know, so I have to ask, why would the carb care if it's cold?"

It's mostly about atomization of the fuel, and getting the fuel to transition into a gaseous state faster. As most of us should know- liquid fuel doesn't burn, it is the vapor that does.

Cold, moist air doesn't promote this very well. The ideal situation would have the air cold and the fuel warm (without vapor locking).

The different accounts of cold weather operation between ant and jerry may be the difference between the tune of the carburetors or simply the condition of the ignition system.

This is why the electric choke was invented. Wink

by ant7377 Tue May 15, 2012 10:42 pm

Maybe it was the carb, my choke seemed to work fine though I use the same carb now, with a different manifold and it is much more agreeable now versus with the air gap. It really didint do anything for performance with the type of motor we are talking about here which I have and its a PITA when you drop stuff under it.

by Sinister Tue May 15, 2012 11:35 pm

I won't be driving the car in cold weather,although it's not uncommon here to be 75 during the day and 40 at night.
I ordered a stock height idle -5500 rpm manifold.
I'll get the motor dialed in and see how she runs...I can always upgrade later.
I'll have some pics in a few days....roll the dice.

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