Check out the pics,the top manifold is my TA SP-1 and the one on the bottom is a B4B I have for a long time its for a Holley also,my questions is look how much bigger and neater the B4B`s ports are compared to the SP-1,i noticed the TA Gasket also fits nicer around the ports than the SP-1,why is that?o No:
Now i`m having second thoughts on putting the SP-1 back on,those ports look nasty and the funny thing is i never payed attention to it till today,what do u guys think?ur input is appreciated.
My opinion is Mike left some meat in the ports on his manifold knowing that the majority of users would have it cleaned up and gasket matched. Its not a big expense to have the manifold cleaned up, but having an equalized manifold is DEFINITLY worth some power in an already good combo. When the B4B was in production, users RARELY thought of having any port work done, so pappa Vic kept em' as clean as possible. The TA is the better manifold as compared to the B4B for power so stick with it. Just send it out to be cleaned up first. You will be glad you did.
George, I have a few B4B's and run a t/a intake as well, I think Jim R. is correct about the cleanup work that will be a positive for the sp1 manifold. I trust T/A performance100% they are by far the forfront of the Buick World, the B4B's are good all around street manifolds, but if you want to get serious get T/A. the single plane runs just great on the street, I know, Iv'e done it for years. P.S. those wheels I bought from you last year still look great on the GN, thanks for a great deal! Bruce
According to JW the new SP 1 has cleaned up runners. The photos that he posted earlier show much better runners. Looks more like a finished product now.
Hey Bruce send me a pic send me a pic:beer :beer ,i understand about the SP-1 i might just wait to have it ported out them instead of putting the B4B on,but who`s gonna do it for me quick thats the thing? Thanks
I had my B4B port matched and equalized.....after it was equalized I no longer had certain cylenders that ran rich/lean which is a common problem with B4B's from what I've been told. There was something like 18% variance between my best and worst runners - after equalizing it was down to 6% REALLY ANXIOUS to hear your SOTP Dyno results with the pop can heads Vs. the ported stockers:TU:
I`m anxious too but i dont know what to do now slap on the B4B or wait till i port the SP-1?i dont wanna wait too long to get the SP-1 ported out.o No:
Tough choices to make Georgeo No: I think that if it were me I would go ahead and put the T/A on, for now. Enjoy the rest of the summer, the end is nearing quickly. Out of the two, SP-1 is much more capable of supporting the flow needs of the pop-cans, stock vs stock. Especially with your setup. Granted, you may give up a tenth or two vs ported, equalized runners, and matched, but it is less than you would give up to the B4B. Besides, it will help the "porter" to have gasket marks on the SP-1 from the alloy heads. Tear the SP-1 back off this winter.. Just my opinion, GOOD LUCK!! Jeff
Wait! If Greg Gessler can get to it now, send him the TA right away and avoid installing the B4B. Less muss and fuss. The porting and equalizing WILL BE WORTH THE WAIT, and manifolds dont wear out, so its an excellent investment. Send him the gaskets you plan to use (the heads should already be very close to the gaskets) and the manifold. If Greg is busy, there are others out there you can contact like Charlie Evans and Champion, and others. Good luck.
I called Greg Gessler today,he gave me a price to just port it and to balance it as well,its alittle on the expensive side to balance it,i`m on kinda tight budget right now so i might just throw it back on till the winter or spring and do it then just like Jeff said unless i just port them which is not so bad. Thanks
George, Balancing of the intake manifold will cost significantly more than a simple port match. Port matching is basically opening up the intake port runner outlets and a blending the new larger outlet into the intake runner. Generally its the last 1 or so that is modified in a port match. As I explained over the phone, a port match would probably help somewhat, but just port matching the TA intake will help some runners too much and throw the intake runners in an out of balance condition. Also a port-matched intake will not have the flow potential of a ported balanced intake. A balanced intake is an intake that has been ported for increased flow potential and each runner has its airflow balanced, so that all 8 runners flow more equal. The intake is repeatedly flowed on the flow bench and slowly modified to get the intake to not only flow more but to get each runner to flow the same amount. The plenum area and port entrance dividers are reworked, certain poorer flowing runners receive a lot more attention than others. Balancing an intake is very time consuming, slow methodical process. If your budget is tight, use the TA as is until you can afford to have it balanced.
