[Felix C]

RAIV reproduction with Q-jet

Edelbrock performer with AFB

Edelbrock Performer RPM with AFB

Selection above to be port matched to the intake ports.


Is the Edelbrock Performer basically the standard intake? and their RPM a Performer but with a cast in spacer beneath the carb?

[66bonne]

The Performer is basically an aluminum cast that is not much better if at all then a stock intake. Yes, the RPM is a "high rise" version and will generally outperform a stock intake. I like AFBs and their E-brock clones as they are a very simple carb and I have run them on all my daily drivers. Prefer Holley and Holley style carbs for performance.
Just my 2 cents from personal experience.

Jim

[Felix C]

Thanks. Have not worked on Pontiac since the mid-1980s. We owned a 1970 and 1979 Trans Am in our family. Brother and I are considered a Trans Am/Formula purchase and building a mild vehicle as we had in our late teens. Assembling a budget on how much to expect.

We did a RAIV intake + Q-jet, + 068 Camshaft + Hooker headers + 7K3 heads, etc.etc. back in the day.

[Half-Inch Stud]

Edel Spreadbore P4B (on my GTO when the Torker I isn't) or Repop RAIV ( i know nothignabout them)

[A.W.Dille]

From personal experience I have sound a stock iron intake on the 400 in my GTO to outperform the Edelbrock Performer. When I was still racing my GTO the best it ran in the eighth was an 8.72 with a Performer, with a Torker1 an 8.52 and the stock an 8.46, broke a motor mount and trans mount on the first pass right after putting on the stock iron so couldn't stay into it for good shifts. Difference in sixty foot times were dramatic, Performer's best was a 2.12, Torker a 1.92 and the stock a 1.80 (all with slicks). Have never ran one of the reproduction RAIV's so can't give any input on them. When I was racing I ran an 800 spreadbore Holley, now I run Q-jets and quite happy with them. My .02.

[paul s.]

I would say it depends on the displacement, tranny, gearing and vehicle weight. Just how mild is the cam?

If the engine will be a smaller displacement and it will be loaded right off idle, then smaller runners would be called for.

[Felix C]

Originally Posted by paul s.

I would say it depends on the displacement, tranny, gearing and vehicle weight. Just how mild is the cam?

400CID
Super T-10
3.23 or 3.42
3720lbs
Camshaft still undecided. 5500rpm peak. Still learning what is new today and applying modern methods to camshaft selection.
Edelbrock aluminum D-ports.
10.5:1

[frankyboy455]

stock cast iron would be the best in your case but repro RA IV would be great for the cool factor, I don't think you'd loose a lot compared to a stock cast iron.

[2002Z4CSS]

I have the Edlebrock Performer intake and a Holley 750 vacuum secondary carb. Works welll with my 400.

[Felix C]

I note the cast iron is often recommended in previous threads here and other Pontiac forums. Is the previously held assumption that aluminum runs cooler and provides a denser a/f charge than cast iron incorrect? Same with the benefit the air-gap in the RAIV when the heat crossover plate is not in use? How about taller dual plane intakes provide more torque than shorter ones due to ram tuning? There was also the belief in the benefit of no hot oil splashing on the bottom of manifold runners holding the a/f charge.

A great deal has changed in what works and what does not?

[ta man]

Originally Posted by Felix C

400CID
Super T-10
3.23 or 3.42
3720lbs
Camshaft still undecided. 5500rpm peak. Still learning what is new today and applying modern methods to camshaft selection.
Edelbrock aluminum D-ports.
10.5:1

I looked at this thread quickly and thought it was a mild engine build but do you actually have the Aluminum d ports?What are your goals with this combo?No sense wasting the potential of those heads.If you haven't bought them yet maybe buy a camshaft/head"package "from one of the Pontiac vendors.

[GTOLou]

Originally Posted by ta man

I looked at this thread quickly and thought it was a mild engine build but do you actually have the Aluminum d ports?What are your goals with this combo?No sense wasting the potential of those heads.If you haven't bought them yet maybe buy a camshaft/head"package "from one of the Pontiac vendors.

Are the repro IV intakes better than they used to be? Runners line up, etc??

Agree with TAman - you've got the makings of a sweet combo. With a decent cam and headers - I'd go with an RPM. Would not go to a single plane with a 400. Just me.

Let us know more about your cam choice.

[surfsama]

Careful with repo Ram Air IV manifolds. I'm not saying this is how they all look but this is what I got and I had to eat the shipping costs both ways.

The bottom manifold is my stock unit to compare.

[Tim Corcoran]

Factory Q-Jet intake would be the best choice.

[Felix C]

Surfsama regarding post #13.......Thank you for that heads up!!

What a mess. Hopefully epoxy can be used to correct the poor runners. I will confirm what expected conditions are before purchasing one of these if I go this route.

Are these made in China? What terrible quality control.

[68 Firebird]

When I was deciding to go back to a factory intake I steered away from
the repo and picked up a 69 iron intake and saved myself some cash and heartache.

Would love to have an aluminum style factory intake but want ports to line up better than that. I am in awe they run/seal that way.

Gerry

[Mr Twister]

That intake above looks bad. What is it? I did not catch it as I read thru the posts.
If you are going to run E-heads then you should consider a manifold that best suits the head/cam/intake package. I think that there a lot of posts that go along with the "stock intake is better" bandwagon based on web postings vice dyno time or dragstrip results. There are some proven instances where the iron intake has outperformed aftermarket ones but I think that there is much more to the puzzle. Search here in depth or just call the Pontiac vendor where you are getting the parts and ask them.

[Felix C]

Originally Posted by Mr Twister

That intake above looks bad. What is it? I did not catch it as I read thru the posts.
If you are going to run E-heads then you should consider a manifold that best suits the head/cam/intake package. I think that there a lot of posts that go along with the "stock intake is better" bandwagon based on web postings vice dyno time or dragstrip results. There are some proven instances where the iron intake has outperformed aftermarket ones but I think that there is much more to the puzzle. Search here in depth or just call the Pontiac vendor where you are getting the parts and ask them.

The intake with the misshapen ports is a reproduction from an unknown manufacturer.

Yes, I know it is about combo. Yes, I am searching mucho.

[tom s]

Since your in FLA why not get a hold of Ken and have him help you put a proper complete package together for your needs?Guys like him do this everyday for a living?He post here under Pontiac Dude.Tom

[Felix C]

Originally Posted by tom s

Since your in FLA why not get a hold of Ken and have him help you put a proper complete package together for your needs?Guys like him do this everyday for a living?He post here under Pontiac Dude.Tom

That is good advice but I will tell you this. I learned how to tune my LS1 rather than use a tuner. Installed my own parts and even designed my own custom camshaft. Results have all been as expected. I do this as an informed hobby and the route getting to where I want to be at is as interesting as finally getting there.

I pay a shop for aspects I cannot do myself-machining, dyno rental, etc.