I have an 89 firebird formula 350 tpi. I am wanting to put on the Accel super ram intake, plenum and runners. I am just curious to know if the plenum and runner will work with the stock intake. I plan to get these first since they are a little cheaper than the intake. If they are able to bolt onto the factory intake I will put them on when I can get them if not I will wait until i get the matching intake to go with the super ram plenum and runners. I dont want to go through all the work of tearing my intake a part to find out they wont work with the factory intake. I have searched but everything that I could find everyone is using an aftermarket intake. Any help from anyone is greatly appreciated.

 

It will fit but you should try to at least smooth out the entries of the stock intake because the superram runners are a larger diameter and you will have a step there. It should improve the rpm limit over the long runners and give you slightly more flow.

 

My opinion is that once you put the SuperRam on, you won't want to take it off unless ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. Just wait and save up for the intake before you tear into doing the SuperRam.

 

If you are going to stick with the stock intake manifold and factory heads,,, simply port the plenum that you have and buy large tube runners.

Once you have enough dollars and desire, then go with a ported intake manifold, good flowing alum heads, cam, and the SuperRam.

This is not what you want to hear, but putting the SR on top of the factory intake manifold, heads, & cam,,, you will not get the benifit that you would be satisfied with. Sorry, but that is my opinion.

 

I understand that just putting the top on won't give me what I will be satisfied with but it will give me a starting point. In your opinion, what would be a good intake, head and cam combo to go with the SR?

 

For the intake manifold, the Edelbrock and Accel are widely used, the best flowing one may be the TPIS "big mouth". For heads, the best for sure is the AFR Elimenator 195, for some bucks less the Trick Flow 195 is good. The cam, I dont know, but maybe a 224/230 is as big as you want to go with a 350.

 

Look to the Super Ram install tips and heed the warnings.
It takes me substanial time now. The first time I put mine on was in '95: No tips, no tricks, no done this before. Just a box and a set of instructions. It took DAYS not hours.

 

You mention install of the Superram. I converted all my fasteners to allen head style. Im waiting on this set of tools and I hope this makes putting on the intake somewhat faster. They are long ball head allen socket type.

 

Why don't you look into the TPIS miniram? or HSR since you have a big hood.

-- Joe

 

Are these 50 state legal BTW.Im in cali & would just like to know beforehand?

 

Hey Rick, I believe the Super Ram is the only aftermarket intake that's smog legal here in CA.

 

Thanks Jeremy, You know what Im hoping to use this for! How you been?

 

Funny thing is that the member Onfire recently PMed me about the carb numbers off my Superram. He mentioned something about trying to get another California legal intake and needed these numbers.

 

One other question.Does the super ram work with the OEM computer/harness or do you have to run it with the accel components?

 

Stock computer will be fine but you should think about burning a custom chip.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Shaggy-
Here's what I know.
You need ball allens for the runners- and the valve covers off.
The plenium is the BEAR. Meditation is necessary during first install, useful during your second go around (whenever that is). The trouble spots are the four inside bolts. Stock (Accel) bolts are little 12 points with 1/4" heads. These are the ones you slot on top, so you can get them snug (from the top) with a screwdriver. Then I use a SMALL Snap On 12 point comb wrench to get them tight. The screws come up from the bottom (that way if they ever get loose they don't go down an intake), so the trick is getting them into the hole and starting the threading process. I have to disconnect my injectors to get my hand in there.
Everything else is straight forward BUT be sure to connect the sensor on the bottom of the plenum, and make sure the harness for the injectors does not interfere with the plenum when snugged down.
Om Shanti

 

I actually converted the plenum bolts to allen head type as well. Im not sure if I can get at them with the extended allen head sockets but I want to try first. If worse comes to worse Ill just slot them anyhow. So far Im test fitting the runners on the engine but Im still waiting for my sockets to come in the mail. The fit looks ok but I ran my injector wiring from the inside so the wiring is invisible but I hope I dont have any problems.

 

Shagg-
If you put the harness on TOP of the fuel rail, the plenum won't go on properly. You have to zip tie the harness to the inside of the fuel rail. The trick is to make sure the clips will attach, keeping enough slack so you can attach and reattach after install.
RE the allens: I can barely get my mini 1/4" box end over the 12 points. I can not imagine how you will get any allen to work in that confined space. Go ahead and try, but you might want some of the 12 points on hand. When I finally learned the slotting trick, it saved bundles of time. Before that I was swinging that silly little wrench for the full travel of the bolts.
Once you try putting the plenum on, in place, you will probably see what I'm talking about.
PS- use tall valve covers ONLY if you must.
Have fun, the system is great.
You get a bonus every time you open the hood ;-)

 

I just got the runners on but I only had an hour to work on it. They went on pretty easily although I had to take one rocker off for one of the lower bolts but no big deal. I really think I can get the plenum bolts with some shorter allen ball sockets maybe with a swivel. The long ones I got were perfect for the runners. I have the injector wiring on the inside of the rails and it went down snugly with no room to spare.

 

So far , so good. It's time for the fun now.
I've been lucky. I've never had to remove a rocker to get my runners on.
Get everything bedded in go for it.

By the way, you might want to check your oil pressure switch setup, before you bolt the plenum down. I use the old large cap comp controlled HEI dist. Room gets tight back there.