When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Engine SwapEverything about swapping an engine into your Third Gen.....be it V6, V8, LTX/LSX, crate engine, etc. Pictures, questions, answers, and work logs.
Any suggestions for an intake to use for Chevy/GMPP fast burn heads? Stupidly I just found out that a standard SBC will not work, Vortec style needed. I have a ZZ4 I haven't tried yet. I just acquired a new to me Holley 800 spreadbore that I want to use. So spreadbore is a must. I know I can get an adapter plate but I am concerned about hood clearance. What is my best bang for my buck?
The ZZ4 intake is decent, and combined with a good block you'll essentially have a homemade 385 fastburn crate engine. IMHO, hood clearance out the window, the best intake for those heads is a vortec eliminator:
I don't believe they make one in spread bore though. This is the intake I have on my 385 fastburn, had to run a 2" cowl hood to make it all fit though.
Well, after some more research I answered my own question. GMPP makes a Vortec spreadbore part # 12496820. What I can't figure out is why do the Fast Burn heads have a traditional SBC intake bolt pattern when it won't fit?
Well, after some more research I answered my own question. GMPP makes a Vortec spreadbore part # 12496820. What I can't figure out is why do the Fast Burn heads have a traditional SBC intake bolt pattern when it won't fit?
Oh I thought you wanted a vortec intake. Fastburn heads are supposed to be able to accept both style intakes, hence the extra holes.
Any suggestions for an intake to use for Chevy/GMPP fast burn heads? Stupidly I just found out that a standard SBC will not work, Vortec style needed. I have a ZZ4 I haven't tried yet. I just acquired a new to me Holley 800 spreadbore that I want to use. So spreadbore is a must. I know I can get an adapter plate but I am concerned about hood clearance. What is my best bang for my buck?
It should probably be asked what the application is.
You're not likely to find a single plane manifold to be as responsive or efficient at lower engine RPMs than a dual plane.
There are plenty of tests demonstrating that the dual plane outperforms the single up to about 6k. Maybe 6500 depending on the rest of the parts. This is not to mention the better fuel economy that is typically achieved with the dual plane.
Then you'll probably find that due to the Vortec port shape at the head/manifold surface, a Vortec intake is better suited as the fitment matches. A traditional SBC intake may be too large and port alignment goes out the window.
Last edited by skinny z; Dec 12, 2022 at 01:36 PM.
Hood clearance is going to be the limiting factor on getting a really good intake. I know you said you have the carburetor already, but I think some of the EFI throttle bodies sit a little lower than a carb and might give you more hood clearance. If that allowed you to get a better intake would you consider it?
I used to have a ZZ4 in my car with Performance RPM intake and a 4 BBL throttle body (no longer in production). It baaaaarely squeezed under a Firebird hood with a full size drop base air cleaner. Solid engine mounts and that puppy wasn't going anywhere.
I still use solid engine mounts today with my LS7 because the intake pipe baaaaaarely clears the hood too. If you rode in the car you wouldn't know I had solid mounts without me telling you. Although you wouldn't know if a bomb went off next to my car either so.... I guess everything is relative to how loud and miserable your car is normally.