I am looking to have John do they lt1 intake conversion for me and I want to know people experiences. Are you happy with the setup? Was it fairly easy to install? I have heard of people having trouble w/ the bolts lineing up. If so whats the solution?

 

I can't say i had any major problems with mine. Mostly just human error (Mine). I think i made a good decision as far as my combo goes.

 

Yeah, I'm thrilled with my intake. The bolt holes have to be angled perfect, otherwise they won't go in. Make sure you use plenty of RTV on the china walls, and good luck.

 

Thanks guy! Did you guys notice a big difference between the tpi and the lt1 intake? Any one else feel free to add!

 

I had minor bolt problems with mine but just on the 2 center bolts on the drivers side. Not alot of room on that side for the bolt allen wrench and big stubby fumblefingers . I'm still tuning but all in all I'm pretty pleased. Pulls to 6000rpm no problem now. I lost some bottom end but not enough to bother me. My only real complaint is it's kinda messy under the hood with all the coolant hoses and stuff but all in all it was worth it to me.

 

This was an issue for me too when I did mine. That remote thermostat housing looks like doo-doo with the hoses running to/from it...IMO.

 

I am a LT1 intake owner and I love mine. I am of course a bit partial. I had all kinds of trouble with my bolt holes, everyone of them! I handdrilled the prototype and they were all off every which way, not just location but the drilled angle was way off as well. I don't hand drill anymore.
I got a big gain on my 383 compared to the stock TPI. After the LT1 intake swap I went to the track and gained almost 6mph in the 1/4 mile with zero tuning and a tempermental transmission. I have the tuning and transmission down not and it is faster still but I havn't been back to the track in a while.

 

See this kinda makes me unsure about the whole intake thing. I really want a different intake but I want it to be done right. I am going to do some more research and I hope to get some more replys on here so we will see!

 

if you send it to john, he has a jig or somthing along thoes lines setup now..... so his does line up.

 

i'm pleased with mine. it looks great, and i'm sure it'll perform great.
however, i am having problems with the 2 middle bolts on the driversside head, and now that the intake is rtv'd down tight, i'm a bit miffed that i have to take it off as it'll be a HUGE pita.

i have a thread in the tech/general forum about the bolts. i'm using alum. l98 heads.

 

You have to be extremely careful with aluminum heads too, since you can easily strip the threads if the bolts are overtorqued.

I had to install the intake repeatedly, and on the 3rd time it finally sealed up right. I ended up giving up and going back to tpi then selling the car. (my old '91).

I've now got an '87 and I am converting from carb - tpi. Evantually (maybe) I'll get into some performance mods and spend the extra dough to miniram it.

 

If you ever have any problems, John never hesitates to help you out. The few problems people have had with him have all but one been solved. And that guy decided to go ahead and attempt to modify the intake himself after receiving it because he told John one thing and actually did another (different heads). All he had to do was tell John that he switched heads, and he would've corrected the mistake. John even offered to accept the return, though less a 25% "restocking" fee. I don't think you have any problems buying from him. I had him convert an intake for me and I actually traded it away a few days ago because I was going to go a different route and get LT1 heads AND intake..well I have them, and these heads look like they're going to be a pain in the *** to install...

 

If you use LT1 type heads do you still have to drill them? Will Lt1 type heads work on a regular SBC?

Thanks,
Jason

 

How's this for an intake on the cheap?!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7924882139

Jason

 

You don't have to drill the intake except for the distributor. The heads are NOT a direct bolt on and require a lot more work than what it seems as I've learned.

 

ok, in general, would you guys say that this is a good mod and well worth the money? Would I be better off spending some more money and going with a superram? My plans for the winter are cam, roller rockers, and I must get a better intake.

 

yes.


depends. now personally, ive never seen huge numbers with the superram. but i have seen some pretty respectible ones. if you can get one cheap, and you dont mind the size of it/multiple pieces, then get it. if you're going for torque, get it. if you're going for fast at a dragstrip/fun on the street, stick with the LT1.

 

Its certainly worth its cost.
If I were to start over again, I would have left it stock until I could afford the miniram.

 

<h1>www.singleplane-efi.com</h>

 

lt1 and vortec are different from each also, I suppose...

Jason

 

I meant miniran. I don't like the superram intake! I like how clean the miniram is and the ease of it sounds a little better.

 

If I had a the right tools (welder, drill press) and skills (welding) I might try the single plane deal. I don't think it for me it would be cost effective. I would love to see one working, though.

Where are you guys getting your ideas about intake plenum design?

Jason

 

I understand that Lt1's that are put into most 3rd gen cars do not conform to the cars EGR valve/line, that you need to block off the EGR valve. This how increases the temperature in the exhuast manifolds and leaves your car unfit for the emission requirements. Is there an inexpensive way to compensate for the increased emissions?