Don&Kelly

I currently have a GM Tuned Port Injector on my '81 and due to some other modifications that I've done, it's starving for air.

I'm thinking of changing to the TPIS Mini-Ram



TPIS says "Mini-Ram Intake Manifold":


"This fabulous new one-piece casting is ideal for the serious car nut. If used as a replacement over a stock Tuned Port intake, on a mild 350ci motor, you will see a 95+ HP gain. If you build the motor on the mild side, i.e. small cam and some porting, 125+ HP is very possible. If you go on the wild side you will be able to exceed any single four barrel power numbers, all with greater driveability and economy.

Installs on existing TPI vehicles with just our Fuel Rail Kit and Level VI Prom. Use the Mini-Ram to replace and out-perform any carbureted system, just add our Wire Harness. (And the rest of the relays and sensors.) You will end up with a system that was designed by the best engineers in the world.

It has self diagnostic capabilities, will run in the closed loop, open loop, and the limp home mode. Use either a mass air sensor or as a Speed/Density system. These systems have a knock sensor to protect the engine in case you get a load of bad fuel, and an oxygen sensor that will give the computer the information it needs for the best possible overall performance, mileage, power, idle quality and starting. All electronic components have either a Delco or a Bosch part number. This means you can purchase the component parts from any GM dealer or any of the major parts store chains. The system also retains the ALDL for ease of diagnosis, and does not require any field adjustments. Let us put a system together for you.

We have been driving this manifold for over ten years. It has wonderful throttle response, delivers more torque from 2000 to 2700 RPM than a stock or modified TPI, and gives a great rush of power from 3500 RPM to 6500 RPM. "


TPIS website is:

http://www.tpis.com

Any one know anything about this setup??

:seeya


[Modified by Don&Kelly, 2:33 PM 9/30/2003]

Fevre

Try this out, I have this one my Formula:

www.lt1intake.com

For about $500 you can have all the stuff to install it. I am thinking of transfering it to my vette and installing a Holley Stealth Ram in the Formula. I am sure the price for the LT1 will be lost less than the Mini Ram.

Don&Kelly

I'll take a look at it .. do you know anything about the TPIS Mini-Ram?

Fevre

It is basically a copy of the Lt1 intake. Try over at the C4 board or www.thirdgen.org for more info on it.

corvettemaster

:iagree: if you ask the c4 guys over in c4 tech, they will tell you everything you need to know. you can find lots of info on it in the archives also, try searching it. :cheers:

Don&Kelly

ok, thanks I'll try over there too ... :seeya

Corey_68

I considered the Mini-Ram on my C4, but decided to go w/ the Lingerfelter Super Ram instead.

Rule of thumbs is:

Auto -> Super Ram
Manual -> Mini-ram

:cheers:

Don&Kelly

Corey 68:
Why the rule of thumb ... what are the reasons??

:seeya

TedH

I know a fella that is generating over 300hp and 350ft lbs at the rear wheels with his stroked (383) L98 in a C4 running the stock TPI and stock runners. Unless your TPI is from a 305 or you are running a monster motor with mondo air requirements, you may have other problems besides getting sufficient air flow.

Some areas of airflow restriction besides intake and runners:
air filter
heads
exhaust pipes/cat converter/mufflers

Sources for fuel restriction:
fuel line
fuel pump
injectors

Corey_68

The Mini-Ram sacrifies bottom end torque. It's runners are very short which is GREAT for top end 6,000rpms+ but horrible for bottom end. Lingenfelter designed his Super Ram specificly for autos. He used longer runners than a LT1 which increased it's torque but didn't make it too long to hinder HP numbers.

If you have an auto and want a to run a Mini-Ram, you'll have to run a minimum of 3.73 gears and a min of 3,000 stall.

I sold my Super Ram, runners, base intake and 58mm Throttle Body (1,000cfm) for $1,000 to my roomate. If you look around (ebay) there are deals to be made.

Let me know if you have any questions. :cheers:

Corey_68

Believe it or not a 305ci TPI and a 350ci L98 are the EXACT same setup. GM designed the Camaro TPI first and ran out of time to build a better one for the L98. Pressed for time they introduced the L98's with the stock 305 intake. This is why L98 are torque monster, but are dead at 4,800rpms.

:cheers:

Don&Kelly

TedH thanks for the reply - I think I've got most of these covered ...

air filter - new K&N
heads - New Dart Iron Eagle Cast Iron heads - 200cc intake port / 64cc chamber volume / 2.02/1.60 int/exh values
exhaust pipes/cat converter/mufflers - new Hooker Performance Headers / no cats / Flowmaster mufflers

Sources for fuel restriction:
fuel line - new braided lines
fuel pump - new NOS Electric Fuel Pump model # 15763 - Flows 65 gal /hr @ 45 psi - 100 psi max
injectors - stock GM

The injectors seem to be flowing, but with the new cam (Comp Cam Extreme Energy cam - #12-268-4 - 224 intake 230 exhaust - lift 477 intake 480 exhaust - lobe 114) & the new Dart Heads, the tuner tells me he can't dial in enough air , we're using an Acell - DFI Electronic Control Module for Spark / Fuel Management.

Thanks for the suggestions .. you input is really appreciated ..

Any other ideas ??

Don&Kelly

quote:
"This is why L98 are torque monster, but are dead at 4,800rpms."

Your so right - I've got tons of torque ... smokes the tires for a 1/2 block.

But my L98 starts to die at 4000 rpm's and boy does it die fast ... hense the need for more air ...

:seeya


[Modified by Don&Kelly, 9:50 PM 9/30/2003]

flynhi

the size air filter is equally as important as the type. My 383 was struggling with a KN conical filter but came alive with a Street and Performance 5" gauze filter.

Don&Kelly

flynhi:
I am using a KN conical filter - I'll look into the Street and Performance 5" gauze filter. Did you get the 5" at a speed shop??


:seeya

flynhi

I got it direct from S & P. Not cheap but a quality piece.

A cold air setup will help also.

Fevre

What are you eng specs? There are some modification that can be done to the stock TPI base to increase flow and you can also get aftermarket siamesed runners that can help. Post your cam specs.

Don&Kelly

Fevre:

I have the following:

350 L98 Chevy engine.

Comp Cam Extreme Energy Cam - #12-268-4 - 224 intake 230 exhaust - lift 477 intake 480 exhaust - lobe 114

Dart Iron Eagle Heads - 200cc intake port / 64cc chamber volume / 2.02/1.60 int/exh values

GM Tuned Port Injection w/ a Holly 52 mm Throttle Body.

Acell - DFI Electronic Control Module.

NOS Electric Fuel Pump model # 15763 - Flows 65 gal /hr @ 45 psi - 100 psi max .

Hooker Headers w/ drivers side oxygen sensor & coated.

700R4 w/turbo 400 drive shaft auto transmission.

"Be Coo"l Radiator w/ Tranmission Cooler.

:seeya





[Modified by Don&Kelly, 8:04 AM 10/1/2003]

Fevre

I take it that is a roller cam. You are probably out flowing the stock base, I ahve a similar set up in my Formula, GM hot cam so a little less duration. What is your stall speed? With a 2800 stall and the hot cam I have no loss in low end torq using the short runner LT1 intake, the 700r4 def helps. What is your rear gear? Reason I ask about your stall and rear gear is if you switch to a short runner intake it will loss a little low end torq and might make the car a little friendly to drive. You might look in the For sale section in the C4 section and over at thirdgen.org for an intake. The LT1intake.com one is not too bad for about $500 but requires some hose routings that might not look great under the hood.

Don&Kelly

It's a flat tappet cam ...

Factory stall speed 1600 to 1800

Rear Gear 307

Loads of low end torque -

:seeya