Edelbrock Intake Question

Anybody have any experience with aftermarket intakes? Will an aluminum Edelbrock Performer hurt or help fuel mileage?

 

What engine is this going on? What are your goals for the engine/car? I've never just swapped an intake. I usually include several other changes at the same time so I can't say how much of an impact it will have on mileage, but I wouldn't expect too much of a hit on an otherwise stock engine.

 

The vehicle in question is my '84 GMC truck. It has been retrofitted with a '62 model Chevy 327 and TH350 3 speed tranny. It has the Edelbrock already installed. It also had an Eddy performer carb. Not being a fan of squarebase carbs, and getting 10 MPG, I swapped the squarebase out for a new Qjet spreadbore. Got the numbers up to about 12 mpg. Considering going to a stock cast iron intake. All the 327s I have any expereince with were a lot better on gas than mine. I am running a 3:08 gear, I think it is. Nothing very short. The engine does not seem to be built that much. Sounds like a mild cam, but certainly not a big one. Rest seems stock. It does appear to have later model heads, I assume for the hardened seats.:confused:

 

I wouldn't think the Performer intake would be hurting you too much in the mileage department. I certainly wouldn't switch back to a cast iron intake. If you really want to you should be able to find a stock spreadbore aluminum intake.

 

The Performer line of intakes are optimized for low end torque and fuel economy. Generally they work well. Are you certain it is a Performer that is installed? On a Chev small block, the split bore Q-Jet, built by Carter, is the way to go. On a Ford, the square bore, built by Weber, works best. If they are set up properly, fuel economy and drivability ill be excellent. Make sure you have the correct jets and metering rod kits installed. Both can be changed without disassembling the carb. The tech desk at Edelbrock is immensely helpful when it comes to correct applications and set up for the engine and how it will be used. If you are setting up for highway travel and economy, the rods and jets are very different than one set up for city driving. Good luck with the project. My brother is a big fan of Edelbrock, and managed fantastic, Civic matching, economy from a mercury Colony Park with the factory 351W and AOD with trailer package. Using the Imperial gallon, he was doing 39 mpg when the engine and tranny were nearing 500,000 miles and never opened.

 

I like the spreadbore configuration a lot better than a square base carb. Those small primaries will break down the fuel a lot better. Most of the driving in this truck is is short runs. On the road, I would do a little better. I know 327s that got really decent mileage in the 60s. Hoped for that with this one, but didn't happen. Might swap out for something else later on. I have a 305 I could drop in, but would not perform like the 327.

 

I may be asking a stupid question. Are the heads ported for unleaded fuel? My '64 389 is getting 8 mpg and I am going to pick up a 400 and build it for fuel efficiency.

Mike can you post details of what your brother did and what parts he used? I am very interested in this. I would love to get 20mpg let alone 39.

 

That's horrible fuel economy. No intake is going to help enough to get you out of the toilet. A Performer is a fine street intake, and shouldn't make you lose mpg. Either of those carbs should be able to deliver good mileage. Their individual jetting may have more impact than the carb design.

I think your problem is elsewhere, likely ignition. How is your distributor set up, and are all it's systems working correctly?

 

I believe the heads have been changed on my 327 to ones with hardened seats, which is recommended for unleaded fuel. As for porting, I doubt it. Didn't build this engine, so really don't know. Fuel mileage is poor, but it runs great.

 

X2!! The performer has been put up against all most EVERY stock 4 barrel intake. with little or no change either way, Good or bad.

With 3.08's even with a small tire, you should be getting much better than 8.

What is the initial timing, centrifugal and vacuum advance and total timing.

Unless that truck is EXTREMELY heavy 8 is crap. The wagon I have with a bad wrist pinned Pontiac 326 with a TH350 and 2.56 gets 18-20 MPG!!! on the highway.


P.S. Never mention the 305 again. ...... Ever.......

 

My wagon is getting 8 mpg. The OP is getting 12 in his truck.

 

12 still sux!

 

Yeah, think I can get my 4300lb wagon up to 20mpg?
I am doing a build on a 400 engine. I will post the details later. But I will most likely be using Edelbrock's Performer Package or some of it. I will eventually be going to EFI but that is like a year away.

 

20 mpg on the highway yes. In town, NO!!!!

 

I can accept 12-16 in town easy. Since, we do small runs it is understandable. Is EFI required to get 20 on the highway?

Do you think the Edelbrock Heads are a good choice?