Hello all, You may have seen my previous thread in which I was preparing a cast iron intake from my 350-4 to go back on. Unfortunately that intake won a rusted-bolt-removing-battle and I am now going to buy one of TA's wonderful aluminum offerings instead of further wrestling with this 55lb metal beast. I do plan to install one of Mark Burton's twin turbo kits, run a friendly 6psi, and drive my car on the street. Hopefully I can accomplish this goal within 2 or so years if I can save the $$. In this plan, I envision using a boost ready, self learning fuel injection throttle body. But at this point I just want to get the stock SP 350 running right so I can enjoy my Skylark. Right now I have the stock 4 barrel Q-jet that was just rebuilt by Ken at Everyday Performance. My question is should I buy an SP3 with the intention of using it a few years down the road for turbo, and deal with whatever drivability issues may result (and save $400)? Or should I buy TA's dual plane and get an SP3 later? I know the SP3 has been tested on a stock 350 and shown a loss of strip times, but I'm not worried about drag strip performance . . . yet. Is a single plane even necessary with low boost? What do the experts say?
Re: SP# or Dual Plane for Eventual Boosted 350 I'd go with the single plane if your future plans are to turbo it... that being said, plans can change. Plan and purchase accordingly.
Re: SP# or Dual Plane for Eventual Boosted 350 Just realized that I put a "#" instead of 3 in the title of the thread. Is there a mod that can change that or can I? And yes, even though $400 may be small compared to the the cost of a mild turbo build, it still adds up. Maybe I'm leaning towards the SP3 also because I just want to see one in person!
Re: SP# or Dual Plane for Eventual Boosted 350 I don't know anything about turbo'd 350's but the 231 turbo (86-87 GN) use a single plane intake, its very much like the SP3, huge plenum.
Re: SP# or Dual Plane for Eventual Boosted 350 Go with the single plane, added plenum volume, runner layout, air gap design, and appearance are all big +'s over the dual plane. And if boost doesn't make its way on there its not going to be detrimental to its current performance
Re: SP# or Dual Plane for Eventual Boosted 350 Spend the $$ and enjoy the car that much more. That's a long time to have sucky driveability. You could always sell it, trade it or ??
Re: SP# or Dual Plane for Eventual Boosted 350 Do we know if the drivability will be all that sucky though? TA claims that the SP3 is supposed to be a much more street-able single plane than those made for say SBCs. Has anyone put an SP3 on a stock motor and driven on the street?
Re: SP# or Dual Plane for Eventual Boosted 350 Because guys that design parts and build engines for a living are telling you the dual plane will work much better on a mild engine. By "sucky", I meant that part throttle response will be night and day compared to a single plane. It will be a fine product for it's intended application. By saving only 36-1/2 cents a day you can buy the single plane later on, even less used when they come up later. Those greedy children in Ethiopia don't need to pimp their rides off your cash.
Re: SP# or Dual Plane for Eventual Boosted 350 Drivability should be good unless they made the runners gigantic (which I doubt). If you have the room, a 4 hole spacer helps on a street driven single plane by increasing the velocity below the throttle bores. It also helps with heat in the carb.
Re: SP# or Dual Plane for Eventual Boosted 350 I say go with a holley style SP-3 like this one I have...
Re: SP# or Dual Plane for Eventual Boosted 350 I see Sean has his priorities straight, new manifold, no clothes for the kid. :laugh:
Re: SP# or Dual Plane for Eventual Boosted 350 This is just my opinion, but I would never get the Holley style of any manifold. The Q-jet opening offers the best versatility. The Holley and Q-jet versions are both drilled and tapped with both bolt patterns. Want to run a Holley? Just get a simple thin plate to square off the opening like this one. http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/edl-2732.jpg?rep=False If at some point you want to run a Quadrajet on the Holley opening, you either have to use a 3/4" adapter (which can compromise hood clearance), or you have to have the opening machined to clear the secondaries of the Q-jet. Why do that? Buy the Q-jet version, it's a no brainer. I have an SP1 that has a Q-jet opening. I can easily swap my Q-jet for my 1000 DP Holley 4150 in 15 minutes, and both fit under the stock hood.
Haha Sean that is one handsome intake! Which motor is that going on? I hope you let the kid drive the car to make up for no clothes!! :grin: Thanks for mentioning this because I was actually considering the square bore and using a 3/4" adapter, but what you say makes much more sense!! I see your point, but it also seems that most people are recommending the SP3. Have you been able to test the SP3 on a stock motor and experienced a significant loss of part throttle response? I'm sure that in itself would be worthy of a thread.
Re: SP# or Dual Plane for Eventual Boosted 350 Put an add in the parts wanted section here there are probably bunch of guys wanting to sell their aluminum TA D/P intake that swapped over to the new S/P? Worth a try, you would probably find a good deal as well. Also, look at the parts for sale section here there is probably more than one TA al. D/P for sale. GL Derek
Re: SP# or Dual Plane for Eventual Boosted 350 Not necessary. I'm sure it's going to be a fine product but surely you aren't suggesting that there's even a comparison in part throttle response between ANY properly matched dual plane and a single plane on any [*stock/mild] V8 engine type? It will drive fine with either intake. It will feel much different though. I guess you'll be testing this with your $$. You are welcome to go with popular opinion.
Re: SP# or Dual Plane for Eventual Boosted 350 What Larry said:laugh: My SP3 is set up for Q-Jet or Holley:Brow:
Re: SP# or Dual Plane for Eventual Boosted 350 Got it. No I'm not suggesting anything since I have no idea what the difference even feels like! I'm not very experienced driving cars that have different intakes, only reading other people's experiences online :Comp: Let's see what I can find on the for sale section . . . If no deals are to be found, then I may try the SP3. I can always switch to a dual plane if I absolutely hate how it drives and then keep it for the turbo build.
Re: SP# or Dual Plane for Eventual Boosted 350 Did a couple of searches just now in the for sale section, not T/A dual planes to be found as of now. I'm going to be doing a compression and leak down test(s) this weekend. If everything checks out, then I will be calling T/A on Monday!
Re: SP# or Dual Plane for Eventual Boosted 350 I ran my first twin setup with a dual plane intake for years. Ran great. The single plane was a little "softer" off idle, but the 4 hole spacer and some tuning brought it back. Assuming you're doing a blow through carb, I'd get a Holley flange intake as that's what you'll have in the end.
