Yeah this should probably go in the aftermarket review board but since TBI guys are the only ones concerned with this product I'll post it here.

I checked all over for a vacuum leak, and I even cleaned my idle-air-control valve because I was idling around 2,000. It turns out that the bolts are longer than the adapter; the damn plate got warped and I drove the bolts into the manifold, lifting the plate upwards causing a huge vacuum leak! I had to go to the hardware store and buy shorter 2" bolts instead of the given ~ 2 3/8" ones. I marred the manifold and almost stripped a bolt hole off the manifold. There should definitely be a warning on the box. I can't believe I didn't catch this beforehand. I was far too excited to get the damn car running, I never thought about it.

So in the future, if you're using a carb manifold with a TBI, either use washers to space the bolts off the TBI or go buy shorter bolts.

 

 

i had the same thing with my holley, luckily i caught it before assembling the everything, and being unique head design on the bolts, i ended up actualy cutting them, instead of buying shorter ones.

 

Hmmm.. good to know since I just bought one but haven't put it on yet. I thought turbo city would get it right for our cars if anyone did.. this is disapointing news.

 

how is the performance with the 4brl mainifold and adapter VS the edelbrock TBI manifold?

 

I'd definitely go with a carb manifold over the edelbrock TBI manifold in almost any case. I don't like the non-airgap design either. Get something dual planed and efficient. It will take a little bit of modifying (for power brakes) versus a direct replacement, but it's worth it.