Kenne Bell Cool Runner Intake Racing Mods

I'm starting this thread because I have a KB WildCat intake that I will be converting to a Dominator carb mounting and have sparked some interest on it's performance. I heard the angle isn't right and the runners might be different than the SPX from TA. I would like to know what mods that people have done on this intake to make it work better than it actually is. I know Jim Bell has tested all his product on the dyno but there always improvements on all engine parts. Please feel free to add your 35 cents! Ha Ha! Your help will be worth more than that!
:beer

 

Would you post a picture please?

 

So you don't know of the Cool Runner?

 

Never have seen one. Thanks for posting the picture.
Definitely is similar to the SPX.
I see where it also has bosses for port injectors that are begging to be used.

Paul

 

Thanks for the picture. I was wondering what it looked like compaired to the Mopar intake I just put on mine (Team G)

 

Here are two photos of the old KB with the 4500 flange:

http://www.v8buick.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=134156&d=1236541991
http://www.v8buick.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=181176&d=1287092215

Here are a couple old threads with some comments about what TA did differently when they took over the mold:

http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?45948-SpX-intake
http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?43681-SPX-Intake

There's probably more to be found if you search long enough.

Devon

 

I just talked to FC and he said he changed the pitch on his CR and didn't help performance.

 

It only becomes a problem if you run a large air cleaner and need hood clearance (the front of the air cleaner may hit), or if the carb is angled so far rearward that the rear jets get uncovered at launch.

Devon

 

Right on. FC is pretty much loyal to KB but some one will have to do a dyno test and then try the SPX to prove the point of it being better without any changes to the intakes.

 

I wouldn't worry about the difference if there is any. You got the intake at a great price.

Devon

 

The thing that will get me is milling on a piece of history but it's for the better to help in my performance. Just think if this intake was available for 350s!

 

TA bought the Cool Runner from Kenne Bell, improved it, and now call it the SPX.

 

I have a KB Cool Runner on my 523 in my race car. It was dyno'ed at 820 HP. Mike Phillips did a fair amount of modifying on it along with spacers between the heads and intake to create a "semi raised port". It worked out well after the details were covered. We were shooting for 750 HP and surpassed it somewhat, so I can't blame the old intake for holding it back! I should have just ordered a SPX but I had the Cool Runner on the shelf and I was determined to use it.

Give Mike a call at AM&P and he may share his opinion on the KB vs. SPX. I know the SPX is better but the Cool Runner can be made to function well!

Steve

 

Steve, have you ever made a run then pumped cold water through the intake and seen if it picked up any? And if so how much?

 

A few years back I made back to back passes.
First with the TA SP-1 then I changed to the Wildcat.
They ran the same for me.

 

Years ago we tried it with ice water, alcohol and then nothing back to back and it made absolutely no difference. You would think there was something there to be gained, but I think Jim Bell was having a dream when he made the ET gains statement in the catalogs. I don't remember what it was exactly he claimed, but like I said, we saw -0- improvement. Other than that it was a good intake.

Steve

 

I would figure cooling the intake would help lower compression engines like mine which is around 10 to 1 on hot steamy days when you couldn't run the number. When I run Super Street and use Cam 2 and the air is bad It runs around 11 flat so that might help me to run 10.90 with Cam 2. Also my SP1 ports are a little bigger than the head ports which could be making some turbulance.
What's the best things to use to make it look better? I blasted the Chevy orange off of it and would like to make it look a little smoother.

 

Mine is sanded smooth and powder coated.

Steve

 

So Steve you have an engine plate between the timing cover and the engine also?

 

Yes, the engine is mounted with an aluminum front motor plate and a steel mid plate both of which I produce. The mid plate is an easy bolt on while the motor plate requires a fair amount of machining and fabricating to fit. Nothing is easy with these cars!

Steve