Does the SPX intake make more power than the SP1?? Does any body have one on there BBB? I would like to know more info on the SPX. I've been to the TAperformance web site to find info about it but it doesn't say much about the power it gives.
You only need to ask someone who is running a K-B wildcat intake, same intake new name. Does it run better? Most if not all the fast of the fastest 455 run the wildcat intake.
spX is not the same intake. it was significantly modified with a raised floor and some port re-alignment that I know of. That being said, it is claimed to be better for the strip or limited street cars than street-strip types.
The carb pad has also been angled like 5 or 6 degrees so that your carb and air cleaner aren't shooting at an upward angle which looks funny, but also can interefere with hood clearance.
:rant: Let me get this straight.. You want to credit KB with TA's aluminum heads? You have been mis-informed.. And Oliver C. is the father of the Wildcat intake... KB just made them.. every once in a while, for a while... That manifold is available now only because TA bought the mold, improved on it, and re-cast it. And since I have an original Oliver C/ KB piece, and the new TA piece, I can tell you the TA casting is a bunch nicer. KB has not been interested in Buicks for some time now.. he is selling Superchargers and mustang parts. We should give Jim Bell and Lenny Kennedy "the nod" for being pioneers in the Buick performance field, but let's make sure we don't credit them with other company's achievements.
Hey Jim, what's the HP difference between an as-cast Cool Runner and spX? It is interesting to note that the Cool Runner I have had since '99 (and waited over a year to get) from KB has Oliver Coulteryaun's name (I'm sure I butchered the spelling) cast on the bottom.
I've heard that there is not going to be a highport version of the SPX. Would be nice to see which would perform better: the SP2 or a highport version of the SPX. I've heard the KB/SPX can be modified to run on the highports. But it's not cheap to do so.
Tough to say Adam... I think there was quite a bit of variation in the old Cool Runner, depening on which flange you have, and when it was cast. I have worked with a Q-Jet flange one that had a bunch of steps in it, that needed attention, and also a Holley one that was pretty decent looking. I doubt there will be a tremendous difference in performance.. the big deal is that you can actually get one now.. Reminds me I need to order a couple more... JW P.S. I was making aluminum chips for you today.... :TU:
I will give the nod to Oliver C for the intake and to some measure on the heads, but Jim Bell had alot imput on the heads. The STG 2 devolpment was saved by Bell in 69 &70 because he new what worked with the old iron heads,who best to consult with on what to change for the better. MR Mike had the will toget it done and I take him for saving the BBB performance and now with the intake that out did his own design.
here's a little more input from on track testing........ I have the Wildcat back on to further tune and see what I can come up with....... http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=44219
I remember seeing the first SP1 made in Upland, Ca. I might have even seen and touched it before Dave did. The guys involved were Ed Moser and Steve Abrams. Their shop was more of a skunkworks with lots of R&D than a machine shop. Some of the stuff they did included porting cast iron intakes for 'stock' racers and lots of cylinder head work for NHRA SS racers and such. And right next door was Kenne Bell. In spite of his input and experience Jim offered in development, I never heard him take any credit for the TA intake or the aluminum S2 heads being made. KB did quite a bit more than just sell the Wildcat intake though. The improved SPX saves a bit of prep work over the Cool Runner (Wildcat) and the performance is comparable. There is a little more hood clearance with the Cool Runner vs an SP1. Even though a lot of heads up racers used the KB intake with the TA Stage 2 heads over the SP1, it does work well on the street. :Brow:
