302 Intake

[pspeaks]

Even with a RV8 hood I would like a little more carb clearance, so here's my question; I have a typhoon intake which I'm told isn't all that great and probably a little too tale.  What would be a good recommendation for a replacement, or should I move on and keep it?


Paul

[MGBV8]

Time to get out the tape measure, Paul.

I would think that the Edelbrock Performer RPM #7121 would suit your driving needs with out being too tall. There are a number of manifolds focus on higher rpm power that are much taller.

[mgb260]

The lowest Ford intake is the Weiand Action Plus, now called Street Warrior.

[ex-tyke]

I've used the "Edelbrock Perrformer 289" for 9 years now as being the best all-round choice for low height and performance. Some years ago, I also investigated the Edelbrock "Performer 302" version and it is actually about 3/4+"  lower than the 289 (despite the ad claims to the contrary).
The down side, is that the port match is way off the cylinder head port profile, so it sits on the shelf collecting dust.

[JWD]

I'm curious. These recommendations are for intake height only, right? No consideration given to, intended use, pistons, heads, cam, carb.,transmission, rear gears etc.? The reason I ask is the O.P. gave no info., other than a 1979 302. Certainly not enough to make any kind of a valid recommendation.

[mgb260]

Jim, A lot of guys don't want to modify the hood. Paul already has the Preform Resource (Dave Craddock) RV8 style hood. If you are close, you are limited to a 2" air filter with drop base  and removing the stock hood cross brace.

[JWD]

Looking at the previous builds, there are several that run a Edelbrock Performer RPM air gap using the RV8 hood and others that run a stock hood with a Edelbrock #2121 with no problems. I'm still in the "mock up" mode on mine so I haven't picked the intake, hood etc.

[MGBV8]

I based my pick on the basis that I have been following Paul's build and felt like I had a feel for what he was trying to accomplish. He isn't building a high strung engine. He just wants a solid performing intake that will fit.

[JWD]

I'm not privileged to what he's trying to accomplish but unless he wants a motor that pulls hard between 4000 & 6500RPM with a sacrifice to low end performance and throttle response where most of us drive 99.9% of the time, that's not the right manifold for the street.

[pspeaks]

(Aluminum heads, typhoon intake, Edelbrock 600 cfm carb, Comp cam, Scorpion 1.6 roller rockers, 3.90 gears, about 300 hp maybe a little more, no racing, just for the street) My front cross member has been modified as much as I dare and without lowering the steering rack, my motor is as low as I can get it.  Still, it seems a little high to me compared to pictures of other conversion.  I have been considering a lower intake to give me better air cleaner choices and wanted options.  If all I can get is a half inch or so lower intake while destroying performance, I'll probably keep the typhoon and go with a drop base air cleaner. or do something like Curtis.

Paul

[MGBV8]

but unless he wants a motor that pulls hard between 4000 & 6500RPM with a sacrifice to low end performance and throttle response where most of us drive 99.9% of the time, that's not the right manifold for the street

That's not at all what Edelbrock has to say about the Performer RPM. It is a street performance manifold. He could dial it back a bit with the 2121 or similar. Paul's choice.

A 2300 lb MGB with any old dual plane intake is going to have ample low end torque.

BTW, everyone like an engine that pulls hard from 4000-6500.  

[Addicted]

Edelbrock performer 289 (2121) is working well for me so far. I'd pick it again.  It fits under my hood.

[JWD]

The O.P. hasn't given any real info. yet but I agree with using a #2121 since he says it's about 300HP which means it's a mild build. Saying it has aluminum heads and a Comp. cam mean nothing. That's the same as saying "black and round" when asked what size tires you have.
The last motor I built, a 351W, I used Edelbrock Performer heads, cam and intake. On the dyno it had a peak HP of 415 @ 6200 RPM and a peak TQ of 410 @ 4500 RPM. This was in a 2500lb. Cobra. The car was fun  but for the street, it could have been a lot better. The motor didn't really come into it's sweet spot until about 3500 RPM on up.

[MGBV8]

Sounds like a hoot to me!

We can't get Cobra sized tires under the stock MGB body, so the low rpm power just goes up in smoke. Moving the powerband up a bit helps.

[JWD]

I ran 295/50/15 tires in the rear. They would go up in smoke in every gear around 4000  RPM which was almost peak TQ. Mine was a mild build compared to my buddy's Cobra with a 460 stroker. He put down over 650HP at the rear wheels. Totally useless and no fun to drive on the street.

[pspeaks]

You know what, all I was looking for was a little more room for my air cleaner.  I think 300 hp is adequate for a 2500 pound daily driver that will never be raced.  Thanks everybody for the advice.

Paul

[MGBV8]

We're just givin' ya some ideas, Paul.  

[pspeaks]

Yes Carl, you guys have always helped with ideas and advice; greatly appreciated.  From day one here I have relied on your advice and it's  always been a great help and kept me out of any real trouble, just got a little insulted by somebody, my apologies, I'll try not to let it happen again.  Best we just forget the question and move on I guess.

[302GT]

The 2121 manifold is an aluminum version of the Ford 260/289 manifold and has a unique runner design not found in any other manifold (maybe there is a reason for this?). The Weiland Stealth/Summit stage 1 is of more conventional design and fits the same as the 2121. I know this because I just changed from a 2121 to a Summit (which is made by Weiland).  The 2121 works fine, but the Weiland is supposedly better for 500 more RPM at the top end. The 302 manifold is meant to be used with the stock Ford EGR spacer. It should never be used without a spacer. In general, the larger the plenum volume under the carburetor, the better the high RPM performance with no real loss at the lower end. The Performer RPM, with its large plenum, is by far the best 302 manifold, but it will not fit under a stock hood. The Weiland Stealth is like a low rise version of the Performer RPM. I also believe that the Professional Products Typhoon manifold will fit. It appears to be a copy of the Weiland stealth manifold.

[MGBV8]

The Performer RPM, with its large plenum, is by far the best 302 manifold, but it will not fit under a stock hood.

Hence, my suggestion. I was just trying to find Paul the best intake that would fit under his RV8 bonnet.  

[JWD]

Quote:
The Performer RPM, with its large plenum, is by far the best 302 manifold, but it will not fit under a stock hood.


How can you make a blanket statement like that without knowing what other components are on the 302?
Example #1 - 302, 9.0:1 CR, Edelbrock E-Street heads, RV type cam and a 500CFM carb.
Example #2 - 302, 12:1 CR, Edelbrock Victor Jr. heads, Comp Cam - 300, Holley 4150 750CFM

Two extremes, I know. One is a very nice street engine that rarely hits 5500RPM, the other doesn't pull until 4000RPM and then pulls hard to 8500RPM. The #7121 is a good manifold when used with compatible components but is not the one of choice for either example. There's more to it than what fits under the hood when picking a manifold.

[pspeaks]

You're right Jim, there is a lot more to it and believe it or not I do care about performance, but as it's a street car I'm willing to sacrifice a little hp for looks and the clearance.  I see that I didn't properly answer the question so let me do it a little better this time.  Any other info let me know.  1979 block, Flow-Tek Aluminum heads with 1.94" intake and 1.54" exhaust valves/180 cc intake runner/62 cc exhaust runner/58 cc chambers, Comp 268H cam, Scorpion 1.6 roller rockers, Fast Cars through the fender headers, Professional Products Typhoon intake/4.12" from carb base to bottom of intake which is what I was wanting to reduce but see that's probably not practical, Edelbrock 600 cfm carb, stock pistons, I'm guessing 9.0:1 compression.



Paul

[JWD]

According to the Comp Cams site, the 268 Extreme Energy cam is all done by 5000RPM and loses power above that point so a #2121 (idle - 5500RPM) manifold would be a perfect match for that cam if you wanted something lower than what you have now. Your current manifold, as well as the Performer RPM, are a high rise street/strip design that have a 1500 - 6500 RPM power range which isn't the best match to your cam.

[rficalora]

Quote:
The Performer RPM, with its large plenum, is by far the best 302 manifold, but it will not fit under a stock hood.


I've had all 3 on my car - all under the stock hood.  The Performer RPM and Performer RPM Air gap required a deep drop base and for me to bend the choke connection tab over but it still functioned.  The Performer 289 I now have also works fine.  I do use a 2" filter; haven't checked to see if 3" would fit.

[MGBV8]

Like Jim said, it's the whole package. The dyno test he mentioned did use the 2121, so that cam may have made a bit more power upstairs with a better breathing intake. It was still making good power at 5500 (about 330hp).

Rob, I would be running a 3" filter on my 215 if it fit. You certainly need one.