[Steve C.]

The Northwind intake was susposed to come available with two differant port opening sizes, a RAIV size which I presume is a FelPro 1233 gasket that is about 2.200" tall, and a larger 2.300" opening. That said, I have only read comments regarding the taller port version and don't know if the smaller size made it into production. But their higher flowing heads typically have 2.300" or taller port opening. That can be a tuff nut for the Torker II intake without welding. The Performer RPM intake will work with the taller port opening as will a Tomahawk intake (or Holley Street Dominator intake) but as mentioned the Tomahawk intake will have only about 1/8" or so above the port to seal.

One person had the Northwind intake, but found his hood would not close on his 2nd Gen Firebird with a air cleaner installed. He got rid of it and replaced it with a HIGHLY modified Holley Street Dominator intake, his testing indicated it gave up about 15 hp to the Northwind intake with the change. But because the HSD is about the same height as a factory intake he can now use a air cleaner.

It appears limited testing has been done, or at least shared and posted on the various Pontiac boards. KRE's class clown on the PZ board has stated it compares to a Victor intake. And here is some testing done by Dave Bischop:
http://www.sdperformance.com/newsStory.php?newsID=53

Pontiac Enthusiast magazine article available on line, title "North Winds Of Change":
http://editions.amospublishing.com/P...num=32&s=North Winds Of Change

And a word of caution, the method of measuring the manifold height within the article, and height comparision photo presented, are VERY misleading. Lots of discussion about that on line.