help with intake, want more torque!

[ss dave]

got a 383 stroker
9.5 to1
Victor jr. heads
Isky cam calc. .554 and .565/ 225 and 234
750 Demon dp
Super comp Hookers 1 3/4
700R4 with 2400 stall
3.73
Currently it has a Victor jr single plane hi-rise.
I can't get the rubber buring torque out of the motor that I would prefer- that "throw you back" feel. I posted this in another site and it was suggested that a change to a Performer RPM may help. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[69HuggrrrPT]

I would say the RPM or RPM air gap as well. Basically any quality 2 plane design will pick up the torque down low.

[gen3bu]

either the rpm air gap and/or a 3200-3500 stall with a 2.0+ str.

[streetk14]

got a 383 stroker
9.5 to1
Victor jr. heads
Isky cam calc. .554 and .565/ 225 and 234
750 Demon dp
Super comp Hookers 1 3/4
700R4 with 2400 stall
3.73
Currently it has a Victor jr single plane hi-rise.
I can't get the rubber buring torque out of the motor that I would prefer- that "throw you back" feel. I posted this in another site and it was suggested that a change to a Performer RPM may help. Any suggestions? Thanks.


I think a RPM or RPM Air Gap would be a good way to boost low end power, and it shouldn't cost you much up top. Keep in mind you have fairly large intake ports on your heads (215cc I think). That is hurting torque as well. What type of cam are you running? I'm assuming it's a roller by the lift numbers. The cam isn't that big, so your converter should be fine. It is possible the head/intake combo is hurting low end torque and you aren't getting the stall speed you should. What can you foot-brake it to? IMO, your engine is set up to take advantage of a much bigger cam, and isn't really matched properly right now. I think it would be a lot happier at low rpm if you changed the heads and intake. Just my 2 cents.
-Andy

[REVIN KEVIN]

Hey. I just put a Weiand Stealth on my 408cid sbc. I took off the Team G I had. The Stealth is a very large dual plane. I was told that it was made for larger cubic inch small blocks. Stated rpm range is idle to 7200. Seems like a very wide range, but it does look far more substanial than the RPM Air Gap. This should give you the tourqe you are looking for without loosing any top end to the Victor Jr. unless you redline at 7500rpm.

[Davezz28]

Performer RPM (or RPM Air Gap) or Brodix HV1016 dual plane and tune with carb spacers. With the duration you have in that cam, a dual plane intake and a 1" open or 1" 4 hole will be much better suited with the auto trans.

And as gen3bu suggested, a little more stall will let the motor come up easer into the power band.

As streetk14 said, the larger volume heads are hurting the bottom end TQ. A smaller port will have better air velocity at lower RPM, a larger port head will usuall require more RPM to get the velocity through the port. By going to a dual plane you will reduce the total intake volume and by going with more stall you free up the motor to turn more RPM/TQ off the bottom.

Hope this make since, kinda typed it quickly

[68sixspeed]

All good ideas--- also my $.02-- RPM-air gap, good choice; a couple easy things to try on the existing setup too-

-play with timing curves to get as much timing in as early as possible for more torque (usually full advance by 2600-2800);
-Find out how much timing the motor can tolerate; chassis dyno helps for these checks, but you can lower the torque curve by tuning
-increase the accelerator pump squirter sizes until it stumbles, then back up; that will give you a great seat of the pants feel when you hit it and help with the large heads.
-If you are on a mechanical cam, play with valve lash.
-Carb spacers! 4 hole for more torque, HVH or other CNC'd tapered spacers are an easy 10hp and extra torque.
-if all else fails, power in a bottle!

-Dan

[Tudorwagon]

The Performer RPM and Stealth are both good choices. If you want to maintain a little more top end, go with the Stealth.

[CAMAROBOY69]

I have been extremely happy with the Edelbrock air gap. :twothumbs I cant even imagine how well my 383 would go if I had aluminum heads. :seizure:

[streetk14]

I have been extremely happy with the Edelbrock air gap. :twothumbs I cant even imagine how well my 383 would go if I had aluminum heads. :seizure:

It really is an amazing intake. I've seen some big-inch small blocks making 550 hp with it! Makes you wonder when a single plane is really needed.

Also, I agree about the advance curve. I have my mechanical advance limited so that I can run 18 degrees inital timing, with a total of 35 that is all in by 2500 rpm or so. This helps a lot for street use. I have a pretty mean 350 in my '68 Camaro. It has 195 AFR heads and a 242/248 hydraulic roller, Victor jr and 1 3/4" headers. It makes about 7 inches of vacuum at idle and really isn't very happy down low. Thankfully, I have 3.89 rear gears and a super-low 3.27 1st gear in my TKO 5 speed. This makes the engine MUCH more driveable. Let us know how it goes. -Andy

[Todds69]

I don't think you would notice a difference in swapping intakes. I think it is in the timing. You may want to check your coil as well. I had one on the fritz and had no bottom end, replaced it and it was night and day. (and it was a brand new coil too)

[streetk14]

I don't think you would notice a difference in swapping intakes. I think it is in the timing. You may want to check your coil as well. I had one on the fritz and had no bottom end, replaced it and it was night and day. (and it was a brand new coil too)


You'd be suprised how much low-end power can be lost with a single plane intake. I bet he could pick up as much as 15-20 lb/ft in the low-mid rpm ranges. I think it will be a noticable increase.

[Y-TRY]

I second, third, and fourth the RPM Air Gap. It is a great all-around intake.

Also, I don't think your compression and cam justify the Victor Jr. to begin with. The RPM Air Gap is the perfect 'middle of the road' intake for your engine, IMO. It's design and runners make great power without sacrificing bottom-end. I've even seen them make MORE top-end than a Victor Jr. (back-to-back tests) also.

Tell us what you do, and keep us up to date.

[Rick Dorion]

Weiand also has a new stealth out as well as a Stealth air-gap. Haven't seen any dyno comparisons like they did against the Performer with it's equivalent.