I've been looking on eBay for another manifold for Mr. Camino. I see lots of Offenhauser crossrams which look "almost" identical to the early Z-28 unit of the late '60's.

http://www.camaros.org/crossram.shtml

(This is the kind with the removable top, not the one-piece units which I wouldn't trust any farther than I could throw it.) Offy has interchangable tops, the usual dual 4, a single 4, and a 3-weber-2 bbl. Really, I'd be more interested in an Edelbrock STR-10 or Smokey Ram, but they're rare and expensive.

Of course, the eBay sellers want about $200 more than you can buy the Offy from a reputable mail-order speed shop. If you used the single four top, you could dispense with one carb and the $60 linkage kit, too. Makes the price almost...reasonable.

Anyone tried one of these manifolds? Anyone with experience with one of the original Z manifolds?

I'm thinking mixture distribution could be a significant problem with one of these. But dang, they sure do look great.

I always wondered if you couldnt get an old crossfire injection manifold and modify it to accept a couple small holleys, I know the performance might not be that great but it would look cool and be relatively cheap. Just a thought

Smitty, if you were willing to live with an engine that was rev limited to ~ 4,500 rpm then the CrossFire manifold could be used. Problem with the CrossFire is that its ports are half size as compared to a normal high performance smallblock - absolutely does not flow!

Thomas

isnt that the reason they make die grinders and demels.

aaron

I'd like to hear about these intakes too. I thought about running one with a pair of VS 450's. It would mostly be for the eye appeal. That and I wouldn't have to cut my hood unlike the T-ram setup.

I agree the CF engines were real pigs and that the manifold is seriously airflow handicapped, that being said if it were cheap enough and with a bit of porting it might be ok for a street motor and as stated it would mostly be for looks just a thought.

You will need far more than a die grinder - how good are your cast aluminum welding skills. Problem is that after you open the CrossFire ports to a standard smallblock size there would be daylight through at least one of the sides. The CrossFire ports were originally sized for a low performance low rpm 305 - they are teeny. There simply is not enough material to port. The guys who have made the CrossFire intake work have actually cut the port open and welded in material. It is a long tedious job even for a skilled fabricator. So much easier just to pay several hundred $ for a used GM/Offy/Edelbrock crossram.

Thomas

I have an Edelbrock STR-10 cross ram but have never put it on anything. I was saving it for a 69 Camaro Z/28 that I have never bought. I always thought it would be great with 4.56 gears and a bigroller cam in a high winding 302 small block with a pair of big AFR heads on it.

Ditto Bob!!

pdq67