So I am looking into buying a tpi baseplate that excepts early style heads (currently running the SD Vortec TPI base), and I plan on having some port work done. I don't want to have to add aluminum to the intake to hog it out, but I do want some decent sized ports created. My question is as follows: should I buy an Accel, Edelbrock or TPIS base and port from there or can I get the same results from a used factory intake?

The Accel is a reboxed Edelbrock. The TPIS is the Edelbrock intake with a different name on it, and some porting. So you've got your choice between the Edelbrock, or a ported Edelbrock. I've got an Edelbrock laying here, and the ports are almost identical to the stock intake I've got laying next to it. It's not very impressive.

Do u feel there is enough material on the factory intake do a decent amount of porting to it. Don't mind goin aftermarket, but once again, I'm lookin at overall cost. Thanks

They're about twice as much meat to the Edelbrock, which allows for more porting then the stock intake. The stock intake is pretty thin, there isn't much aluminum there to work with.

Look for a used Accel intake they have the biggest ports of all them.

Thanks for your input. is there anyone else who may be able to chime in on the subject?

bump

My production base ported out to 1.75" MRG-146 gaskets no problem. That being said you're not going to find any runners larger than that. Another thing I'm not sure of (measurements would be required and I don't have an aftermarket base here) is if they increased the area of the runners at other spots than the runner inlets. It would be harder to perceive and not as easy to detect. That being said the only reason I'd get an aftermarket base is if it were for the Vortecs and I wouldn't pay what SD wants for one. $400-500 puts you well into the territory of a Pro Flow or a converted Vic. Jr. Buy some runners to match and all of a sudden you're a lot closer to a Pro Flow. Just saying.

If you can, find a real Accel manifold that has the name Accel on it. If not, then use an Edelbrock manifold. You're going to have to do some major port work to it for it to flow at least 290cfm to 315cfm. Other wise you will never get the most power out of your combo. Since you live in California, the Super Ram is the best choice. If you want to run a Miniram, you need to buy the EGR kit from TPIS. Whatever you do don't use the Vortec Manifold. It's a stock port manifold to fit Vortec Heads. Its a waste of time and money to port one.

Yeah i found that out the hard way. Thats why Im looking to go back to earlier style heads. Like I said, I want a good amount of porting done, Im gonna run 200cc heads. Im hoping a good port on a factory manifold will get me in the ballpark of some good airflow to make those heads happy.

I see your also running a TPIS Big Mouth with an extruded hone done to it. Could you please define what that means?

"Look for a used Accel intake they have the biggest ports of all them."

....and a better design.