Hi guys,
Wondering if anyone has done any comparisons of the old Winters snowflake intakes to today's offerings. Just picked up a mint 3866963 (listed as for a 1965 396 code L-37, 375-425 HP) and wondered if I'd be giving much up if I swapped it for the Edelbrock RPM I've got on the 396 now. The nice thing about this early manifold is it has no provision for a heat choke cast into the manifold for a nice clean stock look.

cheers,
Mike S.

I thought I read somewhere when the RPM manifolds came out that Edelbrock basicly copied the GM factory intake.

I don't think it would matter which intake you ran as far as power goes. They both should be close.

My Buddy Joe H, did intake swap tests on the same day at a track rental 6-7 years ago using GM intakes and performer and performer RPM's. Found no difference in ET between the RPM and the GM's. I don't have the specifics of his tests at my finger tips but the overall comparison showed no difference's in performance. He also did a test between Hooker Super Comps and Hooker Competitions...NO Change !!

The vehicle was/is a high 11's '69 velle automatic with a 454.

Tom, thank you. My collection of 163s sure look like RPMs but visual isn't everything.

Now, did he compare big tube v small tube headers? tongue.gif

Thanks Tom! Decision made then. All stock :D

Mike

Originally posted by 427L88:
Tom, thank you. My collection of 163s sure look like RPMs but visual isn't everything.

Now, did he compare big tube v small tube headers? tongue.gif Your welcome. I will check with him on the tube sizes...

Originally posted by Bad67SS:
Thanks Tom! Decision made then. All stock :D

Mike Your welcome Mike, The Edelbrocks follow the design of the GM's 1000's of hours of R&D.

There are some things that when GM puts their mind to it that they do quite well. The hallmark of many GM designed performance pieces is that they have an unbelievably wide range of tolerance of other parts selection that they will make great power.

I have great faith in the L78 intake and its brethern. So much so that I used one on a blow through centrifugally supercharged 468 engine buildup - I did open up the manifold ports to match the Canfield cylinder heads I was using . Despite naysayers comments about fuel distribution using a factory dual plane intake on such an engine, it made 951 hp and 863 tq - and all the exhaust port temperatures were each less than 100 degrees apart. Even on a non-supercharged engine, most big blocks will have the same exhaust port temperature varience (sometimes worse!).

If you have a mint L78 intake use it, just block off any heat riser passage.

Thomas