[firechicken]

I've recently got my new 400 up and running. I ended up using the factory '73 intake with a port match and the engine runs very strong. My question is how much improvement should I expect by going to a Torker II. The heads flow 254cfm @ .550 and the cam is an XE274 230/236 @ .050 and .520 lift with 1.6 rollers. I feel the motor is really choked up by the intake but don't want to shell out for a new intake for a minimal gain. By the way, the BOP rear main seal is leak free after 200 miles.

[firechicken]

I've recently got my new 400 up and running. I ended up using the factory '73 intake with a port match and the engine runs very strong. My question is how much improvement should I expect by going to a Torker II. The heads flow 254cfm @ .550 and the cam is an XE274 230/236 @ .050 and .520 lift with 1.6 rollers. I feel the motor is really choked up by the intake but don't want to shell out for a new intake for a minimal gain. By the way, the BOP rear main seal is leak free after 200 miles.

[Engo]

Well I am no expert but I could always make a wild guess based on my experience. The standard answer would be that the TII will make you loose some low rpm power and gain some higher rpm power. Mid range will probably be close to the stock intake. If your focus is on the highest possible hp at mid to high rpm then the TII would make an improvement over the stock intake. If your focus is on highest possible hp over the entire rpm range, low to high, then the stock intake looks like the best choice to me.

Why do you feel that the intake is choking your engine? It could also be a too small carb, a clogged or restrictive air filter or a restrictive exhaust system.

------------------
1969 Firebird 455
1/4 mile ET. 11.45@121.7mph

[This message has been edited by Engo (edited 08-28-2001).]

[Goatman]

Depending on the rest of your combo, I would try either the Performer RPM or the TII. If you want a higher RPM combo (2500-5800), like Engo said, go with the TII. Your head flow warrants and intake like the TII or even a Victor, but the rest of your combination has got to be up to snuff as well.

Also, I noticed that your heads have a max flow at .550" and your cam has only .520" with 1.6 rockers. That cam is a little "small" for your head flow. A cam with a lift of around .550"-.570" would probably take advantage of your head flow a little more.

[KS circutguy]

And hey, enlighten us somemore..Should he throw away his Q-jet too? [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[Goatman]

He didn't say he had one, nor did I figure he did, since he's looking at the TII, but if that was the case, sure, chuck it!

[KS circutguy]

I thought the torker 1 was the best single plain manifold,also the holley street Dominator..I know they are no longer made,but there are alot of good used ones to be had fairly cheap..

Goatman,I ain't even goin there.lol http://photo.starblvd.net/zanko20

[Goatman]

KS, I'm not goin' anywhere near there again either.

The Torker I is a good intake, but its power range is higher than the Torker II. For a 400 with a relatively small cam, its probably too much.

[Steve C.]

Not much in the BIO about the combination, did mention Firebird so that might make use of the Performer RPM a bit iffy because of the air cleaner issue. Seeking performance gains for street only or some anticipated gains on the strip as well?
More info on the whole combination... automatic or stick car, what gears, carb, etc.

[Goatman]

There is a gentleman out there, I can't remeber his name, who now makes an adapter kit of "retrofit" shakers for intakes such as the RPM, so that should no longer be of concern. I'm not sure how much the kit costs. If you're interested, I can probably get the info for you.

[Skip Fix]

The original Torker will definitely kill bottom end on a 400. I had run cams up to 255@0.050 with a dual plane and no problem with power brake. Torker it was scary stopping after those dry hops before the staging lights! No vacuum. Picked up 1 mph but lost time in the 60 fts.

[Steve C.]

Blocker's Performance & Restoration has a system that allows clearance for the high-rise intakes without having to bolt the shaker to the hood, they can be contacted at blocker455@juno.com or 501-247-1114. Cost $275.

[455ho]

This post came along just in time. This past weekend I swapped a Performer intake and Edlebrock 750 carb for a Torker II and Holly 850 DP. Setup is a 71 400, .030 over. 87cc E heads with Performer RPM (RA IV) cam, 1.5 rockers. Two inch headers to 3" exhaust. Turbo 400 with 2000 stall to 3.90 rear. Before swap the car ran a best of 13.2 @ 105 mph with a 1.9 60ft time. With the Torker and Holly I ran a 13.45 @ 103 with 2.18 best 60ft.. I knew the Torker would take away on the bottom but I never figured I would lose MPH. I thought the Perfomer intake was choking the E heads which upon getting the old intake off I found were ported/gasket matched and had some bowl work done to them. My thought was that the Torker would let the heads breath a bit more. What's the problem? I think a higher stall is in order and my hood clearance is tight, could the lack of air or just hot air going to the carb be a problem? What about vaccum leaks? If I do have any which I'll check on tonight would they pull that much power away? Any help would be appreciated.

[critter]

Bryan Blocker is my brother in law. He can fix you up with one of his kits but he's about six weeks out on delivery. He sold out the first run and is taking names, first come, first serve, on the second run.

As to the original post, I wonder if the intake is really an issue. I don't think there's enough cam there to overpower the ability of the stock intake. Might be wrong. Just my opinion.

[firechicken]

Thanks for all the responses. First a little more info on the car. 4-speed car with 3.90 rear 3700 lbs. I feel it's choked up because the engine that was replaced was a basically stock 7.6:1 400 068 cam and headers. Lots of low end torque and ran out of breath at 5500. I expected the new engine to lose some bottom end but come alive above 2500. Although I am quite pleased with it's performance, I feel the top end should be stronger. I know the heads are flowing much better than before, and the cam is quite a bit larger than an 068 so my conclusion was the stock intake. It is mainly a street car but only for weekend fun so I'm pretty flexible on streetability. I do like my shaker to shake, but decided more power is a good tradeoff. I was afraid to mention that I run Q-jets after following that topic. I picked up a Torker I today because of the spreadbore pattern. I figured a factory intake was designed to flow with a stock head at about 196 cfm. Did I make a mistake?

[This message has been edited by firechicken (edited 08-28-2001).]

[This message has been edited by firechicken (edited 08-28-2001).]

[Goatman]

455ho, not enough compression and converter. Way, way, way, too much header/exhaust and carb.

FC, what kind of compression do you have now? Your cam is too small to take full advantage of your head flow, that's part of the problem. The TI will probably be OK with the four speed and the gears you have, but you'll need some compression (I hope its more than the old motor you replaced) to make it all work together.

[Skip Fix]

I'll GUARANTEE the other intake was choking the air flow! I'll also agree way too much header tube size for a 400. My RAIV picked up 0.2 going from the Hooker 2" to a 1 3/4 Hedman(I had to redo some tubes for fit but the size was important. The smaller headers reduced the reversion I was having running mufflers(2 chamber Flows) and the car became jet responsive finally.

I have a bone stock E head on the flow bench and the Performer flows about like a stock iron intake, my HO a little better and a Torker II about 8% better.

For a 400 esp with a single plane RPM is the key. Need stall and alot if it is a 3700lb car, look for something over 3500rpm, most street/strip 400s torque peaks are around 4200. Need to gear too maybe a 4.10 if the track is the main area you drive.It isn't a 455. When I replaced the 455 with the RAIV 400 same gears it was a pig in the low end. Ended up running the same as the 455 with more convertor, more gear and more rpm though.

[Skip Fix]

Didn't see the 4 speed note at first so convertor stall not an issue.Maybe a higher starting line rpm launch though.

The RAIV cam is an old design, slow ramps more seat duration than equivalent aftermarket(compare to Ultradynes 288/296 with equivalent 0.050 duration). The E heads like lift, even more than my RAIVs. So a different cam maybe same 0.050 duration but more lift in the .550 and no closer than a 110 lobe sep. unless you run open headers. 110-112. The 87 cc give you a lower compression, you may need to advance cam a little to shut intake valve sooner to trap more compression to "fool" motor that it isn't low compression.

My 78 Shaker fit with factory HO intake and a 1/2" spacer, Torker no spacers and moved the carb back some(hood can scrape the shaker if not exactly straight when shut the hood. On now a Torker II and a 3/8" spacer. I did find a 77 Shaker that had a plastic spacer between the mteal and glass part I removed to gain a 1/8-1/4" hood to shaker clearance though. I to have to have a Shaker.

RAIV 400 12 teens 110mph with a Q jet, HO intake and through mufflers and 3700lbs , you'll get there.Keep tinkering.

[Goatman]

Hey Skipfix, we've got two different combo's going here now.

455ho has the header (among other things)problem and Firechicken has the 3700 lb car with a four speed. I think the 3.90 gear with the four speed will be fine as he can launch and shift wherever he wants.

Just a little clarification, as it seems like you've combined both guys' problems into one car.

[455ho]

I know the headers are way too big. I didn't set this car up but bought it this way. Really want ot find a 455 and put the Torker II, 850 DP and E heads on it. Since I have that in mind I don't want to put a higher stall in the car right now or any more gear. I would just have to change it later with a 455. How would the 2" headers be on a 455?