FE Intake. Best of all worlds ?

[Barry_R]

Bunch of mixed messages here. I suppose I should add to the collection at some point.

First is that there is absolutely nothing wrong with a mechanical roller and a dual plane combination. The type of lifter is secondary to the cam opening and closing events, and the working RPM range is detrmined by those.

A relatively short duration solid roller cam can be a very potent mid range combination - from 2500-6500 is well within the realm of a good dual plane. They'll usually outpower a hydraulic package at the expense of some added maintenence. A solid flat tappet can match up to them pretty close, but many guys are nervous about the break in isues (justifiably these days).

On intakes the Performer RPM is indeed a good piece with a bit of port matching. Most I've made with one was around 618HP on a 482. A very similar engine with a Victor and a Dominator was within five horsepower - the cam was a limiting factor before the intake. I've made around 660 with an extensively altered BT dual plane but that engine was drastically different.

My preferences are thus:

Performer - OK if you need a cheap intake for your farm truck

Performer RPM - really good from idle to 6500, best feature is low cost for the power

Blue Thunder 4150 - from idle to 6500 comparable or slightly better power than the Ebrock, and looks very original with proper vacuum openings, oil fill and breather provisions, and carb position.

Blue Thunder 4500 - similar to the above but more power. The casting and machining has been revised based on our development work (see the comment about "extensively modified" above).

Victor - either 4150 or Dominator - will definitely make more power than the dual planes at the sacrifice of low/mid range torque. This intake needs porting but is designed for that with runners cast small. The advantages are small if any on smaller/milder applications but greater on wilder & bigger stuff. If you have 700HP dreams you'll eventually end up with a Victor. And a die grinder.

Dove single four - looks completely wrong with a giganourmous plenum - even stupidly large on the high riser/Dominator version. You could put a small block intake inside of there. But actually runs pretty well. Comparable to the Victor in potential but the thin castings don't leave much porting room to change things. If you decide to go with the Dove you'll also want a die grinder along with a welder and a pressure checker....