OK, I did a search, and couldn't find an answer to a MR question this basic.

TPIS claims a 95 HP gain at 5200.

That just seems like a lot to me. I'd planned on keeping my LTR l98 set-up for a good while......but if those #'s are accurate......wow

We can assume the basic mods like exhaust and K&N's etc.

Like I said, there was a TON of info on the search, and well, I'm not gonna buy it anytime soon anyway.....but just for knowledge.....is ANY intake gonna make a big difference like that...I mean I wouldn't expect numbers like that with even a cam.

 

All of the aftermarket intakes will offer impressive numbers similar to that. Because the engine is being allowed to a supply of air that literally dwarfs stock large tubes, and the engine is also making power at RPMs previously untouchable.

You'll find that the Stealth Ram makes impressive numbers as does the LT1 style intakes and the Superram.

 

thats a real nice increase in hp!

 

What about low end torque? I know the theory about the LTR speeding up low end air flow etc., but I've also heard that the LT1 set-up was almost tooo high flow for any real good low end.

....relatively speaking of course.

 

for the record..... I know this is all basic stuff, but I just didn't realize that these intakes could have that kind effect on a stock engine.

 

The 95 hp they found was in part due to the stock TPI running out of air at 4500 rpm. Thats where the power falls off on the TPI and the Mini-ram keeps on climbing. So the power difference is not 95 hp on top of the stock 245 hp, its 95 hp over the TPI's hp number at 6000 rpm.

And no, you do not lose all of your torque. I have a Mini-ram and can tell you I have a plenty! You do have some off idle torque loss, thats where I felt the biggest difference, but you dont race other cars off idle.

Next time your cruzing around (30 mph or so) put the gas to the floor and see where your rpm shoots up to right away. 3500 or so. Thats where the Mini-ram starts to shine. So all that off idle torque loss dosent really matter, cause your now pulling away from the TPI car your racing.

 

Randy,

Thanks for the info, but it looks like your motor is set up to be able to take advantage of that extra flow. I'd be putting it on a stock motor with only headers/catback exhaust.

The reason I'm only know asking these questions is because my Interior resto should be done in a month or two, and I was hoping to start on the engine this summer. I had originally planned on adding a cam first, then maybe getting to heads by the end of the year. The next major thing was going to be intake, and as I mentioned, we'd be looking at least into this time next year.............but now I'm wondering if my Intake should come first? I'm not arguing with anyones numbers, but I'd always heard that exhaust should be first, a cam should be second.

Any thoughts......intake first?

 

OK, had to do some work and rush the end of that post!!!

back to slacking.....

Like I said, with those numbers, I almost wonder if I should look into getting the intake first....hmmmm? I kinda like the idea of starting at the cam though.

Dammit.....another client.......I'll be back

 

On a stock engine, I would start with exhaust first. Thirdgens have been known for there restrictive exhaust systems stock. I personally would start with a cat-back and then move to headers. For example, I had a conversation with Myron Cottrell of TPIS (they sponser our MN fbody club) on my current set-up (see below) and he told me to get rid of my Edelbrock headers and get the SLP 1 3/4 headers, as much as he dis-likes them. (SLP) Thats what HE would do, he told me.

I got my Mini-ram with the ZZ9 cam and TF 23* heads all at the same time (saved my tax free checks from Kosovo) TPI engines are really cam senseative, so getting the right one is key, and dont forget you'll need some prom tuning as well to get it just right. But since you have cat back and headers, a super ram or Mini-ram would be a nice place to start. You will need to concider that the Mini-ram has no EGR, so your car would not pass a visual test, but should pass a sniffer test. So more prom tuning would be in order to take advanage of your Mini-ram, Ed Wright can get you set-up if you dont know how to do your own prom tuning. He did mine and it works great. And since your doing the prom you could get a cam to complement the Mini-ram (Id suggest something larger than the ZZ9 though)

 

Thanks for the info....once again:hail:

 

Minirams are not designed for stock motors. Actually if you dont design your motor for the Miniram you will be disapointed.

 

the miniram IMO is only worth it if your building a high rpm engine or are going with forced induction...

 

Mini-ram's are not just for high rpm power, look at the LT1 vs. the Mini-ram for example. They are practically identical, and I wouldent say the LT1's red line of 5800, (I think) a high rpm engine. And GM put them on a stock engine with a aluminum Vortec head. (practically) If you had a carb and went with a Edelbrock performer RPM dual plane intake, that thing makes power to 6500 RPM. That dosent mean all RPM intake engines are high RPM screamers. Its all about your combo, remember an engine is a air pump, the more air it pumps, the more power it will make.

 

im looking at it theoretically by shorter runner length and port size...it makes for a higher power range...like why put a miniram on a 305 when it doesnt need that much air and the cam isnt set to make power at the same rpm as the miniram, anytime you upgrade a car your just making something else obsolete... so lets say the intake manifold has peak horsepower at this rpm and torque at another...then you dont want a cam that just makes low end torque, just like you dont want a huge cam in a stock tuned port because it doesnt flow anything after 4500...you will have a car that sounds cool at idle but chokes upper rpm....that was all i was saying...mini ram is only good if you need it..

 

Oh I agree complety, The Mini-ram is a intake made for engines 350 ci and larger. Ive heard of some horror storys of Mini-rams on a 305. Im not saying go out and make the Mini-ram your first mod, I was just saying that if you wanted to put a Mini-ram on a MOSTLY stock engine, I dont think it would be a complete nightmare, cause more than likley you will be upgrading the cam and heads soon after thirsting for more power . H3ll you would be a pioneer if you put a Mini-ram on a mostly stock L98 and you could let people know if it sucks or not and shut us all up . Besides, if you dident like the mini-ram, you could sell it for practically the same price as you bought it for. Ive only seen so many Mini-ram's for sale and when I do see one its usually picked up quick!

 

Yea, i was just trying to agree with you in a different sense...i know i will be going with the mini ram but that will be when my income allows the intercooled D-1SC procharger...and more cubes...my last car was a 12.2 @117 with a 1.6 60ft in nitto drags...RX-7...but i sold it to get rid of debt and got my first car back...that i sold for my iroc november of 2001...right now i have enough bolt ons to hit low 14s and with juice somewhere in the 13s...and leave the a/c and emissions, downside to the rotary is that the emissions come off with the turbo upgrade so inspection is up in a month so i sold it...paid off debts and here i am....

 

The mini-ram would be just fine if you go with a good converter like a Vig 3000 if you have an automatic. That way, even a loss in off idle torque doesn't matter.

 

with a 3000 stall you don't have a large enough rpm range...stock cam isn't very big, so it doesnt make peak power high enough, also, what i the stock rev limit on an L98, 6200? or....how much?

 

On my 91 L98 chip, I had no rev limit. But if you know someone who can burn chips, I hear its very "simple" to change the rev limit, if you have one.