Hi guys, I have a few questions for you. I have an Edelbrock Performer 2-0 and a 750 Holley DP and what appears to be a stock GM HEI Distributor.

Will switching to a single plane intake manifold with maybe a larger carb get me any more power? If so, what size carb? What about switching to an upgraded HEI unit? Thanks alot for any advice,
Chris

Personally, I think you'd be happier with an rpm air gap instead of a single plane, use and 850DP or HP950 carb. Make sure you recurve the distributor, it is time well spent. Bob

BadBob,
Can you define/give me the process for recurving the distributor. I'm lost on that one. Also, should we upgrade to a higher output unit?
Chris

I would think the #1 deteriming factor on making an intake/carb suggestion would be your what size camshaft your running. If U want recommendations on intake/carb, please give us more info on motor. Size, compression ratio, heads, cam, and what your looking to get out of the motor.

Originally posted by supersport6667:
I would think the #1 deteriming factor on making an intake/carb suggestion would be your what size camshaft your running. If U want recommendations on intake/carb, please give us more info on motor. Size, compression ratio, heads, cam, and what your looking to get out of the motor. Thats a problem. Got the car a little over a year ago, and it runs so hard and stong and pulls like crazy up to 5500 (I wont take it higher than that) that there was no need to pull the motor. Do you think I should leave it alone, like "If it aint broke dont fix it"? Just looking to squeeze a little more out of it and figured I would ask the best.
Chris

This is not meant to sound harsh...
From what you said,it sounds like your car runs great..so,why change anything? There something called tuning..instead of throwing parts at a combo,you tune it..and that requires a trip to the dragstrip.Don't bother going by seat of the pants..something can "feel" faster,but in reality,it slowed down.That why you go to the track.How do you think I got a 4000 lb. car with 2.73's to run in the 12's ;)
..and I run the same intake/carb combo you have..(actually a 750 vacuum now..more on that when my track reopens ;) )

Sounds like U could defintely improve upon the ignition system. Maybe change to MSD setup with dist, coil, and 6AL box, or up grade HEI. What RPM does motor idle at and how choppy does it sound???? The carb intake combo U have sounds right for a 454 with a cam making power to 5500 (260/500 - 272/515 range). which should idle pretty smoothly at 800 rpm. Trying to get an idea of size of cam. But if U wont run motor past 5500 there not much sense in running a higher rpm intake and bigger carb. I dont think U would gain much. might as well make the power down low where youre running it. But if U Have any buddies that U could borrow a carb or carb/intake setup for a weekend?? That way U wouldnt be out 400/500$$$$ just to give it a try. Taking it to the track would be the best way to see what if any improvemnet your making. At the moment looks like your money would be better spent on igintion system upgrade then go from there.

Originally posted by mr 4 speed:
This is not meant to sound harsh...
From what you said,it sounds like your car runs great..so,why change anything? There something called tuning..instead of throwing parts at a combo,you tune it..and that requires a trip to the dragstrip.Don't bother going by seat of the pants..something can "feel" faster,but in reality,it slowed down.That why you go to the track.How do you think I got a 4000 lb. car with 2.73's to run in the 12's ;)
..and I run the same intake/carb combo you have..(actually a 750 vacuum now..more on that when my track reopens ;) ) Yea that sounds like it may be a good idea...

Originally posted by supersport6667:
Sounds like U could defintely improve upon the ignition system. Maybe change to MSD setup with dist, coil, and 6AL box, or up grade HEI. What RPM does motor idle at and how choppy does it sound???? The carb intake combo U have sounds right for a 454 with a cam making power to 5500 (260/500 - 272/515 range). which should idle pretty smoothly at 800 rpm. Trying to get an idea of size of cam. But if U wont run motor past 5500 there not much sense in running a higher rpm intake and bigger carb. I dont think U would gain much. might as well make the power down low where youre running it. But if U Have any buddies that U could borrow a carb or carb/intake setup for a weekend?? That way U wouldnt be out 400/500$$$$ just to give it a try. Taking it to the track would be the best way to see what if any improvemnet your making. At the moment looks like your money would be better spent on igintion system upgrade then go from there. Yea after that opinion i may just go for the new distributor. I was thinking 6AL, but all that computer stuff can get (me at least) confusing. We are currently running an HEI distributor (i believe just a stock unit). What kind of performance gains can I expect from this. I idle at around 800-850 RPM and it is fairly rough. Thanks a lot guys, and if you have any more info or a recomendation on an HEI setup please let me know,
Chris

You will get NO measurable performance gains from an MSD ignition vs. an HEI that is properly curved to your combo...and thats no bs

Wait a minute now!!

He said he won't take her above 5500rpm so it sound to me like if he doesn't go above his self-imposed rpm limit, he doesn't know just how good his motor CAN RUN!!!!

So please take her out and run the dog outta her and see just what she will do then come back and ask if you might need/want more power!!

To me, it's like running an L-88 at it's 430hp advertised rpm rating and saying she just doesn't put out enough power sorta thing!!!

pdq67

Originally posted by RedSS454:
Hi guys, I have a few questions for you. I have an Edelbrock Performer 2-0 and a 750 Holley DP and what appears to be a stock GM HEI Distributor.

Will switching to a single plane intake manifold with maybe a larger carb get me any more power? If so, what size carb? What about switching to an upgraded HEI unit? Thanks alot for any advice,
Chris You didn`t mention what cam you are running but from your signature you mention 450 h,p, That said, your intake is probably o.k. As for the carb, it is enough for what you want. I made 600 h.p. on the dyno with a box stock 750 d.p.

Your air cleaner need to go....get a drop base so you can run a taller filter. That little thing is choking you.

And one more thing... Nice car!

Thanks for the advice guys, and thanks for the compliment Chris. I think I'll do that pdq, but its 17 degrees here so I may have to wait a little bit before I can do it. I will keep you guys updated,
Chris
EDIT : If i were to try what pdq says, what do you think a safe RPM for me would be? I don't know any of the internals, but am told its a pretty well built motor.

Leave it alone..

Keep the HEI, do a search for distributor tuning, and read during the off-season.

You will NOT gain any power with the MSD. Mine is coming out to go to a simpler GM HEI setup again.

Cheis is right, you must flog it at the track to properly tune it. Traction is a must have also, without it, you could NEVER tune it properly.