I'm going to be buying intake runners but I don't know which would be more suitable to my car. I like the AS&M semi-siamesed ones but I don't know if it the SS ones are really necessary for my car. I have a 305 TPI auto (mods listed below). I would be adding:

Holley APFR
180* thermostat
ported plenum
3.42 gears
Custom burned chip



Long, long term I'd like to add:
Superram base intake
cam
heads
SLP 1 5/8 headers

The fastest my car will probably be will be 13s (I will be staying N/A). Which runners do you guys think would work best with my combo?

Thanks for the help.

 

As far as runners are concerned, I don't think it makes much difference. They're all pretty good and flow just about the same.

I'm pretty sure that TPIS and AS&M use the exact same runners. They are also the only aftermarket runners that are not cast. I think cast looks crappy. I'm not 100% sure though. Well, I'm sure they look crappy, but you know what I mean.

When it comes to the base though, DO NOT go with the Holley manifold. I see you plan to use the accel manifold. Those are pretty good. TPIS says there manifold is without a doubt the highest flowing manifold, but of course....it's theirs, so who knows. Anyone care to chime in on that?

 

This is just my opinion but with what you plan to do, I would get an aftermarket base and not worry about the runners for the time being. I am sure you would be happier with the results. I dont think you have anything to gain by going with a set of the AS&M semi siamesed runners or the accel ones at this time on a stock base. I think they would just hurt your bottom end torque and even perhaps make your car a little slower. Maybe a set of TPIS/ AS&M plain Large tube runners would help you out a litttle, but either way to notice something worthwhile you need to port your base to match them. Since the base would have to come off to port match, why not just swap that now instead? Then when you deceide what cam/heads you are going to use, purchase the runners that would best match the combination at that time.
Just my thoughts!

 

I dont suggest getting runners for your 305 since the stock is pretty good for what your doing. The base is a good idea.. but you could port it out and save youself some money if you want. You dont have any major mods on your car yet and you can hold off till that heads and cam come in. Changing or porting the base will net you better power over all then getting the runners.

 

I thought that I'd be a little quicker at the track with aftermarket runners but from what people have been saying I guess its pointless unless I do the manifold as well. Would the AS&M semi-siamesed runners be more suitable for heavily modded 350-396s and regular LTR like Accel, TPIS, etc, be a better choice for 305s? My car used to be my daily driver in the summer but now it is more of a weekend car. I want to keep it very streetable so I won't be doing anything to extreme with heads, cam, etc., when I do change them.

I'm not very mechanically inclined, but I had planned on attempting to change the thermostat, runners, APFR, porting plenum, myself over the winter. I'm not sure if I know enough to swap manifolds but I guess if I do it, I'll have to get check out this board to find out all the in and outs. I'd just buy the Accel base if I do it.

 

I dont mean to make it sound easy, but to change manifolds is just unbolting and a swap. There are a lot of electrical connections, but you dont have to worry about anything major like clearances as if you were building the bottom end yourself.
People try to stay way from other forms of TPI. A base and runners can put you around $650 when a HSR costs around 500 for what you need, and a modified LT1 is cheaper then that. I think it would be easier for you to get a LT1 or HSR for induction. only problem is emissions... and I dont think there are any in Canada... but maybe that goes by province.

 

In Saskatchewan, I don't have to worry about emissions testing so I can do whatever I want to my car. Some places like Ontario and parts of BC they have testing.

I like the appearance of the stock TPI setup so I'm going to stick with parts that will keep it close to stock looking. With HSR, I'd have to cut the hood, not something I want to do, even though it would cost less money.

If I do change the manifold, I'd probably end up with vacuum leaks or something else would go wrong but I'll think about doing it.

 

In addition to the small mods like AFPR and thermostat (I recommend 160)...do the headers 1st. Very little gain if any will be realized without this modification. I say this because I was running low 9s in the 8th with my 350 car, and went with the Accel intake and runners and ported plenum. No improvement. AFter headers...the power gain is now evident.

If you want to keep the LTR type induction (I do as well for my 350 car), then I recommend the Accel base, and the AS&M Semi siamezed runners. Then your cam/heads will need changing, as well as converter, etc.

 

Wait until you can buy the base and runners at the same time. It's a real PITA taking the runners off once let alone twice to change the manifold 6 months down the line.

 

I'll second that. The runners aren't the greatest pieces in the world, but my impression is that the base is much worse.

Off topic a bit, I would recommend AGAINST a 160* thermostat. I think 180 T-stat is probably about perfect for where you are and what you are doing with the car. To quote another very knowledgeable member of this board, "coolant temps under 230F and above 195F and oil temps under 235F and over 215F are fine! and running a 195 deg thermostat tends to allow the coolent to spend more time exchanging heat into the air in the radiator, keep in mind oil works best, and lubracates better while in that 215-235f temp band" (Thanks Grumpyvette, hope you don't mind)

http://www.chevytalk.org/threads/sho...rue#Post415279

 

i recomend a 170 stat, but if your in a cold place like Canada, maybe 195 should stay with you. 160 will be too cold for you. 195 and i sugest you do the fan switch. Just cause the stat opens at 160,170, 180, etc... doesnt mean your car is gunna be that cool. The fans is what is gunna cool it... but thats for a different board.

If your gunna stay with the LTR set up, then yea, id go with a high flow base, and large flow runners. You might not notice much now, but when that heads and cam come around... you will be happy you got the stuff when ya did.

 

A knowledgeable post from the previous link:

If you have cooling problems, one of the last places to look at is the thermostat, unless it is stuck closed. Every case is unique, though...and it all depends on the purpose.

Another knowledgeable post from the previous link:

Either way, be sure and tune the fans with your new prom.

I'd also ditch the +4 spark plugs in favor of AC Delcos.
I had some...threw them in the trash.

Take it for what it's worth...

 

Someone else told me after I bought them that I shouldn't put them in. I just put them in because I had them for too long so I couldn't return them. The plugs have only about 100 miles on them so I'm probably going to leave them in for awhile.

 

I've heard good things and bad things about the +4's.

I've never heard anything bad about AC Delco's.

 

same here i've always ran delco's I'm about to put in some ac delco rapidfire though, they are platinum plugs,about 4hp they say :lala:

 

if you have the peanut cam dont replace the intake or runners.i am speaking from my own experience i have accell intake,runners,vette heads ,headers,full roller rockers and my best time is 14.68 at 92 .the cam is holding my car back so bad its not funny.if you do anything put headers on and converter ,.then save up and do cam , intake and runners at same time also you could change the heads to.I believe that all of the parts I put on my car were a waste of time until i put in a knew cam .becuase the peanut cam wont let me take advantage of the extra air flow.I have a lt1 cam im going to put in sometime ill let you know how much it helped when its done

 

the Plat 4's are a gimic plug they really dont give you better spark. You can only get as much electricity and spark to the plug as your coil and electrial system gives out. And then you can only still get one spark. If you want a better spark, get a ignition capacidenc (sp?) box. Regular AC delco's work fine. Unless you had a forced induction car, then stay AC.

 

Is A Fully Ported Factory TPI Base The Same As A Fully Ported Edelbrock Base?

And Which Runners Flow Better The AS&M's Or The Accels? Also Can The Accels Be Further Ported?

 

My understanding is that a fully ported factory base is close to an edelbrock base right outta the box. Don't quote me on THAT fact, but I DO know that a factory base, ported or not, isn't gonna get close to a ported aftermarket piece. LOTS more material to remove on the aftermarket base.

The ASM runners are tubular, and can't be ported. That being said, outta the box I believe they're best, if you can find 'em. Do they even still make 'em??? The Accels (which aren't made anymore), Eddy's and SLPs are all cast, and can all be ported.

 

Oh ok so i should just have my Edelbrock Hi-Flo then, I see. My main concern is keeping my set up looking as close to factory as i can that's why i wanted to either find some AS&M runners or some Accel runners. I've heard a lot of good things about the SLP's but in my opinion they kill the TPI's look. A guy who does TPI porting offered to trade me a stage 4 ported factory base for my Edelbrock base but ifmy edelbrock is already close to a fully ported factory TPI base i'd rather just get the edelbrock base ported. Thanks for the info! much appreciated.

 

AS&M Still make them... here is my polished set I got in March... They can take a couple of months to make them...



I've seen where you can extrude hone (run abrasive paste through ports to enlarge and port) a stock base to flow like an aftermarket one.. but as mentioned, aftermarket are already bigger and allow more porting (cheaper to go 2nd route)....

http://www.extrudehone.com/auto/auto-performance.php

Rafael

 

Dammmn! Those are nice..


I See, A Guy Who Specializes In Porting Factory GM TPI Bases Said He Will Do A Stage 4 Port Job Or Basically Port It To Match Up With AS&M Runners And In Return I Just Give Him My Edelbrock Base. I Mean I'm Just Thinking If It's Factory Or Aftermarket If He Ports It To Fit AS&M Runners It Will Be The Same, And If I'm Wrong Please Correct Me LoL


Here's A Video He Made So You Guys Can See His Porting, It Looks Really Legit! Let Me Know What You Guys Think.

 

Thats because the edelbrock is better than what hes offering
Keep the edelbrock.
Ive done stock bases a lot farther than his "stage 4" and the edelbrock offers more potential plain and simple. 300cfm out of a stock ported base like those BS.

 

[QUOTE=cuisinartvette;5439011]Thats because the edelbrock is better than what hes offering
Keep the edelbrock.
Ive done stock bases a lot farther than his "stage 4" and the edelbrock offers more potential plain and simple. 300cfm out of a stock ported base like those BS.[/QUO


Yeah if it sounds too good to be true then most likely it is right? lol thanks for the advise!

 

Stage 4 ??? haha!

Accel/Lingenfelter are the best... But I see on this post where I previously recommended some AS&M.

Whatever you can get a hold of these days I suppose.