On all the big block recommendations on this site people are always recommending the dual plane edelbrock performer RPM intake for street/strip combos. I totally agree with running a dual plane on a big block street/strip chevelle. Is there a big differnece between the Stealth and the RPM BBC intake????? I happen to have a stealth and plan on running it on a 454 I hope to build this summer to replace the more or less stock 396 in my 67SS chevelle. Motor will be 10 to 1, heads #781's with 2.19/1.88's mild port work, hyd. 232/244 @050 561/570lift cam, holley 800DP.

IMO, it's a matter of who has better marketing and not necessarily a better product, Edelbrock in this case. Both manifolds are rated for similar rpm ranges. So, my suggestion is to go ahead and use your Stealth.

I don't think you would go wrong with either manifold.

The only real major difference that I see between the two is the Stealth looks like it might :confused: favor the higher RPM's (no plenum divider), where the RPM has a divider (slightly cut down) and might be a little better in the low/mid ranges.

I'm sure ET wise there will be little,if any difference.Both excellent designs.Just an FYI,the vacuum tap for power brakes,etc. is in the stock location on the Stealth,while the RPM has it on the opposite side and the stock fitting will not screw in due to the fact the tap is is too close to the #5 runner.

Originally posted by 71454Chevelle:
The only real major difference that I see between the two is the Stealth looks like it might :confused: favor the higher RPM's (no plenum divider), where the RPM has a divider (slightly cut down) and might be a little better in the low/mid ranges. Just the opposite..the notched plenum helps with higher rpm's..and the Stealth does have a plenum divider,but it is not notched.

Just the opposite..the notched plenum helps with higher rpm's..and the Stealth does have a plenum divider,but it is not notched.
I think it just the opposite. The RPM is notched divider and the Stealth's divider is removed completely.
Since the RPM has more of a divider, this equals more low end. No divider (Stealth) equals more top end.

http://www.holley.com/HiOctn/ProdLine/Products/AMS/AMSM/f8019.html

http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/index.html

It's kind of wierd but the Stealth is advertised as good from idle to 6800rpm:

This Weiand Stealth series dual plane intake features long, separated runners for bottom-end and mid-range power, plus a special runner design and larger plenum to flow the air needed for high rpm horsepower. That makes this Stealth manifold the perfect choice for your Street/Strip vehicle. Stealth:
http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/wnd-8018.jpg

And RPM is advertised as 1500 to 6500 rpm:

Designed for street 396-502 engines using 1975 and earlier large oval port heads, this Performer RPMs dual-plane, high-rise intakes with a 180 degree firing order. They produce incredible top-end horsepower while retaining good throttle response. Performer RPMs have larger plenums and runners to match the free-flowing exhaust, high-lift cams and other modifications of a high output engine. They are intended for high performance street or competition engines that run up to 6,500 rpm.
RPM:
http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/edl-7161.jpg

My mistake..for some reason,I thought the Stealth was not notched graemlins/clonk.gif

Any comments on the quality of the castings? I heard that one company was better than the other. I'm not telling names on purpose, I don't trust the reliability of the source.

Anyone have a Weiand Stealth and an Edelbrock RPM side by side to compare?

I bought a Performer RPM Spreadbore for the 454, as I plan to do some carb swapping and testing, and it's a whole lot easier to put a straight bore carb on a spreadbore manifold than the other way around. (I recently hawged out an ancient Edelbrock O4B (Olds 455) to fit a Q-Jet and HEI. Silly thing was drilled for Q-Jet mounting bolts, but not machined to clear the throttle blades. Go figure!)

I have both. Quality is good on both as far as I see. I have had multiple RPMs and they all looked great. The 3 other Weiand intakes I have seen also looked good. My buddy has a Team G that even went through engine fire and it only took some minor clean up to look good. Fire was due to bad needle/seat and bad luck.

Does anybody know if either of these two intakes will work with the stock wide alternator bracket for '69 396. Since all my brackets, etc, are chromed, I would prefer to keep them, but would like to go to one of these newer type manifolds.
Anybody know? :confused:

Thanks,
Dave

Not trying to steel the post, but while you guys are compairing intakes? :cool:
What do you all think about the Merlin dual plain intake? :eek:
I know it's a little more money, but is it worth the money and how would ya compaire it to the Stealth and the RPM ? graemlins/waving.gif
T.C.

Originally posted by TC:
Not trying to steel the post, but while you guys are compairing intakes? :cool:
What do you all think about the Merlin dual plain intake? :eek:
I know it's a little more money, but is it worth the money and how would ya compaire it to the Stealth and the RPM ? graemlins/waving.gif
T.C. The only way to do that would be back to back track testing,and I doubt anyone will be doing 2 intake swaps at the track..we're talking about 3 dual plane,high rise intakes that are all basically the same,and all are based off the original GM aluminum intakes..I bet there would be no significant differences....and IMHO I wouldn't spend the extra $$ for the Merlin intake..

Yeah, but are they all the same height, and do the Stealth and Merlin come offered polished?

I know the Performer is polished. And the reason I bring up height is that someday down the road, I'd like to install a cowl induction set up without switching back to the original manifold.

Yup, I'm in the market for a purty manifold too!

Originally posted by 70_Malibu:
Yeah, but are they all the same height, and do the Stealth and Merlin come offered polished?

Yup, I'm in the market for a purty manifold too! My stealth and RPM are ceramic coated and while not as shiny as the polished Edelbrock I bet the ceramic finish will hold up better. Also was cheaper than what the Edelbrock polished intake cost :eek:
If you want email me and I'll get a pic of them tomorrow.

I wish Holley made a direct copy of the great old 300-36 SB true high-rise intake for the large oval port headed BB motors!!!

I bet it would be a real winner for a high rpm dual plane "grunt" intake!!!

pdq67

Does anybody know if either of these two intakes will work with the stock wide alternator bracket for '69 396? Guess not, eh?

Dave

Originally posted by NovaDad:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Does anybody know if either of these two intakes will work with the stock wide alternator bracket for '69 396? Guess not, eh?

Dave </font>[/QUOTE]My 69 Camaro(BBC 427) has the performer RPM and has the stock LWP Alternator bracket and it works fine. It was on the car when I bought it but does not look modified.

Thanks Ace,
I appreciate the info! Been considering possibly the RPM or RPM "AIR GAP."

Dave