So I ordered the UMI STB knowing they say it won't work with aftermarket runners. My motor has AS&M Runners, Edelbrock Manifold, and polyurethane motor mounts. And the STB will NOT work out of the box. Engine height is not an issue. The problem is the AS&M runners come out further from the plenum before they start to turn down. So the cut-out in the STB is not long enough on the passenger side to clear the runner. There is plenty of room on the passenger side. So I adjusted the ends on the bar so the cut-out is shifted all the way towards the passenger side. That still did not leave enough clearance. So about 3/4" needs to be added to the passenger side cut-out.

So if UMI wants to really make me happy they will allow me to ship the bar back and do the necessary modifications. Call it product development to fit aftermarket runners. Or I am more than willing to pay a reasonable fee for them to do modifications and re-powdercoat.

Pics to come in a few minutes.

 

Passenger side shortened completely


Driver side lengthened completely


Plenum view. Note that the left side isn't down all the way because it is hitting the runner.


Close up.

 

Just a thought.....

Is the STB on correctly, left to right? The notch is offset to one side, so possibly flipping it could help, if it is on wrong.

Mine came in wrong. Just a simple matter of me switching the 2 ST mounts. Ryan said he'd note that in his in-house assembly instructions, to help prevent that in the future.

 

Good idea. I just checked and I did have it on right. No way it will work other way. I guess I will be giving UMI a call tomorrow.

 

are there enough threads left on the driverside that you could remove the jam nut from the passengerside and gain another 1/4" or so? maybe just clear the plenum?

I dont see why UMI couldn't modify their design a little to accommodate these runners, but i suppose all aftermarket runner are different and there is not way to know what will clear them all without having everyone of them on hand, and even then manifolds, mounts and other variables would affect it as well.

 

The bar can't be moved any more to the passenger side because then the cut-out on the driver side hits the side of the plenum.

 

Hello
We designed the STB to work with the factory intake only. That is why we specified in the installation application they they have clearance issues with aftermarket runners. There are too many different combination's to keep up with. Once again that is why we manufactured a STB just for the OEM intake. It is posible that we will eventually have something available but at this time I am unable to get you a exact time frame. Sorry for any inconvenience
Thanks
Brad

 

Brad, Like I said before I am not blaming you guys. I knew going in that you say it doesn't work. I was just hoping you guys were covering yourselves.

The big question is are you willing to do some custom work for me?

 

Maybe they could modify their design....STB Version 2, to have a wider notch?

Not a separate STB, just a redesign of the existing one. It would still fit stock runners, as well as if the owner decided to upgrade their runners later, it would still work and they wouldn't hafta ditch it.

Maybe Ryan would consider doing that, in a slight redesign of their product?

Brad....You might wanna propose that to Ryan. Its a win-win for UMI, for their design to fit a wider spectrum. I know I wouldn't be opposed to having a slightly wider-than-need notch, on my stock runners.

 

I wanted to give you guys an update. I just talked to Brad from UMI on the phone. They said they are not willing at this time to change their design or do a one-off for me. They said they are too busy right now filling normal orders. Which is a good problem to have. They said maybe in the future they could do something for me.

So in the meantime I guess I will see how much it will cost to get this thing modified locally or I will just sell it. I really wish Hotchkis still made their STB, now that thing was awesome.

 

Update.

I swapped out the poly motors mounts with stock rubber mounts. This lowered the motor sufficiently for the STB to clear the AS&M runners. Also the STB mounts sit very slightly higher as the J&M strut mounts have thicker flanges than stock.

 

I have the AS&M runners and poly motor mounts and had zero issues clearing my runners with my BMR STB.

 

The BMR design does not hug the contours of the plenum and runners. I'm not surprised that it fits.

 

Not quite sure what you mean by that. The BMR piece frames the plenum nicely in my opinion. Your setup does look nice though.

Eldon

 

You're right, I was thinking of the Hotchkis STB