Of course the stock intake is 1" shorter than the Perf... Every stock SBF 4v intake came with a 1" spacer! They were never intended to be used without this spacer. If you got an intake without the spacer, you didn't get the whole intake. Edelbrock just cast the intake taller and got rid of the stock spacer. The factory didn't do that because the spacer was used a little differently from model to model and year to year. They needed to be able to swap up the spacer. Did you know the ports, plenum, and volume are less on the Performer vs the stock iron 4v? If I had to choose between the two, I would probably choose the Performer, but only for the weight loss and heat dissipation. I currently run a stock iron unit though... complete with a 1" phenolic spacer to replace the factory potmetal unit. Also blocked the heat risers... which helps greatly.
I am currently using a two-inch phenolic spacer between the Edelbrock 600 cfm 4 bbl and the stock iron manifold. (for what that's worth)
In any case, one cannot say they are the "virtually identical", because they are not. The iron intake has 4 holes, whereas the Performer is open with a center divider. The runners on the Edelbrock are taller as well. It's a higher "rise" intake, although only slightly. I seriously doubt that. The Performer flows "slightly" better than a stock iron 4V intake, and far better than a 2V intake...
Thank you for the information on the water cross-over. These statements are kinda' what I've been hearing about the performer related to my pickup and what I do with it. I am definately not a racer. I am using a four holer, once again for low rpm torque.
My point exactly. Here's a guy who is looking for low-RPM torque, and yet people are telling him he needs a Performer-RPM or equivalent. I supposed he needs a 2-1/2 to 3-inch dual exhaust as well, huh? Especially when the car came with a 2-inch single exhaust. People here should become aware that these 302s with stock heads & cams, respond best to a Performer (or similar) intake manifold, a 500-600cfm carb (not 650 or bigger!), and a dual 2-inch exhaust system. Sure, if you're gonna do the aftermarket head/radical cam/low gear ratio/loose torque converter thing, then you're gonna need headers, slightly bigger exhaust pipes, RPM or Victor intake, bigger carb, etc. Going from a 2-inch single to a 2-inch dual exhaust = improvement. Going from a 2-barrel carb to a 4-barrel carb = improvement. The stock cam & heads can push only so much air, so you want to unleash their potential, not a bunch of unnecessary overkill that just costs more money and can even cause a loss in low-RPM response...
It does have have a higher lift than stock cam (barely lopes at idle, so it's not too far off stock) and the headers are hooked to a 2.25" exhaust. The tail pipes currently turn down just ahead of the rear axle, but I am going to turn them out from under the bed (cab resonance is BAD at some speeds) when I install the H pipe shortly.
If the engine goes over 5500 rpm a lot then it would be better to use something other than the performer intake. If you rarely go over 5500 rpm then the Performer will be just right for your application.
I do not currently have a tach on it (will soon), but I doubt I rev it beyond 5500 very much at all, if that high.
there ya have it! there is no reason to put an intake that is rated to 6500 if the engine never gets to 5500.
Beofre my 347 kit, i ran the performer 289 aluminum intake and model #1406 600 cfm performer edelbrock carb. The carb is electric choke and set for more of an "economical" gas consumption. However, this setup helped out my performance at the track and getting on the entrance ramp to the interstate. It still maintains a lot of vacuum and has really good low to mid range torque. perfect for pulling. match it with their performer cam, and you have a nice little package with substantial torque gains, some HP gains as well. Throw in a B&M shift improver kit for hauling and R/V and you'd have a decent truck. I now run the edelbrock performer rpm, rpm cam, and holley 650 double pumper on my 347 w/ 10.0:1 compression and power gains are extremely impressive mid range to high, since i'm running a 2400 stall, i dont really use much lower end, but it's there. point is, performer is good if you're looking for low end torque, the brute low rpm pulling power. performer rpm is good for my setup in my fast taching maverick. Also...if you are still running points style ignition, and low grade wires/ coil, it starts to break down in the higher rpms, so having a rpm cam doesn't really help out above 5500 or so... just my .02
I have the manual choke version of that carb and I believe my cam is in the same class as the Performer cam you mention. The 76 came with electronic ignition. One thing I haven't mentioned is the rearend is a 3.5, which was an optional lower rearend. I think I have done just about everything I can to this truck to make it do what I need it to do, with the possible exception of the improved intake and h pipe, both of which will be remedied soon. I do appreciate all the comments and help!
Why is anybody comparing the Performer to a 2V intake when the original poster stated he had a 4v factory piece? It's obvious that there is a difference. Might as well state that the sky is blue.
I was wondering the same. He says he's working on a truck with a 4v intake and a performance cam... Yet we are getting folks talking about how light his car is, how he will notice a difference going from a stock 2v to a Performer, and how the Performer is the perfect intake for his stock cam. Cows, if you have a stock 4v intake, don't waste your time and money swapping a Performer on there! You will be disappointed. The couple pounds of weight you save are not worth the time it will take you to swap the intake and the cost of gaskets. I think everyone got on the RPM and Stealth bandwagon because they understand that you won't see a lick of difference if you just put a Performer on there. So they gravitated to more aggressive intakes because it seemed that was what you were after. Also, if your cam has a lope, it is quite a bit bigger than stock. There are many performance cams that are bigger than stock that have no lope at all. Smooth as silk, yet bigger than stock. Dave
low RPM in a truck or not... Performer RPM all the way! the regular performer is a waste unless your going form a 2bbl to a 4bbl... yeah your going to notice a differance... but if your going to get a 4bbl manifold in the first place get the RPM you will NOT be unhappy! do it right the first time. Performer idle to 5500 RPM Performer 1500 to 6500. from 1500 to 5500 dynos show it out performs the regular Performer. even if your not going to 6500 no matter it still performs better. if your drving round on the road at idle to 1500 you need to get off the road! lol! so why do they still make the performer then? good question... some people go with the regular performer only get CARB numbers to pass smog. they have provisions for smog as well as and ERG adapter you can buy for it. the RPM is not 50 state legal. the reason why i had that manifold at one time. when i switched to the RPM there was an over all differance! oh i might ad edelbrock even states this about the performer "Designed for carbureted 302 c.i.d. Ford V8s with EGR. #3723 is stock replacement/street legal part for 302 2V V8s" GET THE RPM!
