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Author
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Topic: New Intake Manifold.
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Stang28965
Gearhead Posts: 551
From: Webster New York USA
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 06-06-2006 02:47 PM
 
I have a 289 with Headers and a Holley 4160 Carb.Right now I have the Stock 289 4brl ford Intake manifold, I was thinking about getting a Aluminum RPM Performer intake(or Air Gap), Is it even worth the money? Thanks
-Jeff
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SkinnyMan
Gearhead Posts: 916
From: Tupelo, MS - USA (CA temporarily)
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 06-06-2006 02:58 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Stang28965:
I have a 289 with Headers and a Holley 4160 Carb.Right now I have the Stock 289 4brl ford Intake manifold, I was thinking about getting a Aluminum RPM Performer intake(or Air Gap), Is it even worth the money? Thanks
-Jeff
Jeff,What ya gonna use the car for. I believe Air Gap is for more of a racing application. ------------------
SkinnyMan
Tupelo, MS Thank you, Thank you very much!
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indyphil
Gearhead Posts: 3394
From: Senoia, G.A. USA
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 06-06-2006 03:17 PM
Stang28965.
I would say since you have headers already the intake manifold makes perfect sense to be next on the list. The stock manifold was OK, but the RPM manifolds should be an improvement. You may not feel it on the butt dyno though.
The air gap isnt always legal on smog cars but in your 65 it will be fine, its designed to prevent heating of the intake air by keeping the runners cooler. It wont hurt to run it on the street but it does prefer to make power at higher RPMS.There are lot of options for you.
New cam and lifter kit
New intake manifold
New heads but for the best effect they like to work together. Just one alone and you wont be impressed by the results. But often people cannot afford more than one at a time. So then it depends on how much you feel like tearing into the engine to change the cam, or spending more money and doing the heads. The headers are a great first step, intake manifold makes sense for the next step. By that point if you have a good air cleaner and exhaust you should be able to feel the difference compared to stock. You may find that the engine really wants to rev up but you might run into lifter pump with the stock cam and lifter package. I tried to spin my 289 (non HIPO) to over 5500 RPM a few times and its not really capable with the regular cam. And since the headers and intake will work best when revving (up to 6500RPM) youll never see the full benefits until you change more parts. It will be faster, it just wont set your pants on fire. Another good upgrade is an electric fan (get a good one rated over 2000CFM) those may cost upwards of $100 and some may not fit in the narrow space between the water pump pulley and the rad. The electric fan frees up some horsepower. I think the intake manifold is worth the money ESPECIALLY if you will upgrade further parts in the future to make a fast street engine. ------------------
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Fastback68
Gearhead Posts: 4511
From: Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines
Registered: Jul 99
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posted 06-06-2006 05:56 PM
My understanding is that the older generation of RPM manifolds were basically weight-savers, while small performance improvements may be seen in the modern ones.
Of course, the weight saving is going to be the least in a skinny little intake like that on a 289. On an FE engine though, the weight difference alone has got to be worth some performance. Dang, the FE intakes are HEAVY!
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n2oMike
Gearhead Posts: 3058
From: Spencer, WV
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 06-06-2006 06:22 PM
The old Performer intake isn't much more than a stocker, but serves its purpose.The 302 Performer RPM is a MAJOR improvement. The 302 Performer RPM Air Gap is pretty much the same as the regular RPM, except it has the air gap design. Both are the exact same height. Both the RPM and Air Gap are good from off idle up to around 6500 rpm. Both are good choices over the standard Performer for any performance application. Neither will cost any low-end power. The regular RPM costs less and performs pretty much exactly like the Air Gap. It will also warm up faster in cold weather. The Air Gap won't warm up as fast in cold weather, but will keep the carb slightly cooler, which CAN help power and decrease the likelyhood of vapor lock. Good Luck! ------------------
Mike Burch
66 mustang real street
302 4-speed 289 heads
10.63 @ 129.3
http://www.geocities.com/carbedstangs/cmml_mburch.html
http://www.fortunecity.com/silverstone/healey/367
http://www.mustangworks.com/cgi-bin/moi-display.cgi?220
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Stang28965
Gearhead Posts: 551
From: Webster New York USA
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 06-07-2006 01:24 AM
Thanks guys,
I forgot to mention I have a hotter Cam and 302 heads and also a Electric fan.
The car is also a 4speed with 3.55 gears.Its pretty much 98% Street, I might take it to the track once a year. Thanks again for all the good information.
-Jeff
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Aussie XAXB
Gearhead Posts: 131
From: North Olmsted, Ohio
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 06-07-2006 09:49 PM
I would definately go with the Performer RPM. I can't justify the cost of an Air Gap for any meager performance gain. I am a big fan of the Performer RPM, especially with better heads and headers.Steve
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Blacksmith
Gearhead Posts: 604
From: Front Royal, Va., USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 06-08-2006 06:53 AM
Weiand Stealth manifold on my 302 with Holley 600 & Tri-Y's works great & is good for a wide power band (2K-6K I think).------------------
66 GT350H clone
302, Holley 600, Tri-Y headers, Flowmasters, power front disc brakes.
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