Cam removal in an ERA/FE

[lippy]

Originally Posted by DanEC

Brent should have some thoughts on that. I assume you also have some heavily worked heads with big flow numbers designed more for higher rpm. He would probably know considering the heads, if the intake switch would make the expected difference or be nulified by the heads.

Have you thought about going hydraulic roller now? I guess that might require digging deeper into the engine however to reverse the internal oiling restrictions.

If you have access to Jay Brown's book the Great FE Intake Comparo, it has notes on some pertinent differences in the two intakes. Compared to the Victor which has a level carb pad, the RPM mounts the carb at the OEM slant towards the front. The RPM is probably about an inch lower at the carb pad. Also the carb mounts about 3/8 inch further to the rear on the RPM. On his stroker 427, ported MR head test engine the Victor made about 20 HP more than the RPM at 7000 rpm versus 6400 rpm for the RPM. The RPM made about 10 ft-lbs more torque and both peaked around 5000 - 5100 rpm. This was just one engine combination he tested both intakes on that was otherwise of the same details. He also noted that the RPM did have a dip in the torque curve at lower rpm that created a soft spot.

Dan,

I don't have the book but I may buy it. Curious if you might know what he said about the difference between the RPM and Victor at lower revs, on a big cube engine. I know the Victor is better at the top end, and it would be good to know if you lose a lot at the low end.

I don't think it would be a problem installing a different manifold, but the new one wouldn't have the porting and port matching work of the Victor.