Menu

Shop

Garage

Cart

Account

Products to Compare (max of 3)
X
Compare These Parts

The Intake Manifold Decision

12/28/2016
Add Article To List

The great debate; single plane vs. dual plane intake manifolds. It's something we as builders all face. Here is what I decided to use for the 454 in my '54 Belair. First off, I'll give you a little background on the engine. I was lucky to find a used 454 from a '70’s Chevy 3/4 ton truck. Once I pulled the engine and began disassembly I noticed it was stamped "HI PERF" on the side of the block. Of course being a gear head my pulse quickened. I couldn’t get the oil pan off fast enough. I smiled as soon as I spotted that forged crank and those 4-bolt mains. Score! The engine was very clean with hardly any wear, standard bore with the small “peanut port” heads. I ran the casting numbers and it came up as a GM Goodwrench replacement crate motor. So off to the machine shop it went, naturally. I had it bored .030 over with a mild dome piston and 10/10 on the main and rod bearings. I also found a set of rectangle port aluminum heads so of course I needed a good intake manifold to top it off. And so, the search began.

When trying to choose an intake you need to be honest with yourself about how and where you will be driving your car. Two basic rules apply. Most street driven vehicles benefit from a dual plane intake, while a race car, drag race, circle track and so on will benefit from a single plane intake. The dual plane basically divides the runners to supply fuel/air to specific ports in the firing order. This eliminates back pressure inside the plenum under lower RPM driving, allowing the engine to run smoother. A single plane feeds fuel/air to all ports, which creates back-pressure inside the plenum as the engine fires through the firing order. At high RPM this back-pressure actually helps the fuel to atomize inside the plenum. So at high RPM this style intake is preferred, however at lower RPM’s it hinders the idle ability. Also, most intake manifolds list a specific RPM range. The ranges listed are found through extensive research so you can trust what each company has their intake manifold rated at.

Armed with this information I began my search. I decided to go with a dual plane intake since my sleeper is going to be a street cruiser with an occasional lead foot from light to light. I chose Pt. # 3257562, Edelbrock RPM Air-Gap 2-R Intake, Rectangle Port, Big Block Chevy. Hood clearance wasn’t an issue for me so I went with the taller air gap which allows a cooler, denser fuel mixture for more power. It has a 180 degree firing order (hence the dual plane, single plane has 90 degree firing order) for good lower RPM driving. It has an RPM range of 1500-6500 that suits my cam selection perfect.

One thing about this intake is it is not a true dual plane design. The plenum divider has a cut out right below the carburetor.

In my opinion the cut out shown above may be part of the reason this intake is listed to 6500 RPM. I bolted this intake on using Edelbrock's Intake Manifold Bolt Set. They are designed specifically for Edelbrock manifolds, and have a twelve point reduced head for easy wrench access with hardened washer included. I torqued them to 25 Ft Lbs. in the proper sequence listed in the provided instructions. For gaskets I am kind of A Fel-pro snob, probably passed on from my father since that was his gasket of choice. I used Fel-pro's B/B Chevy Intake Manifold Gaskets and then just a bead of black RTV silicone on the ends. The fit and plain finish on this intake was just what I was looking for. It complements the aluminum heads and has the aggressive look with the air gap design. Now to find the perfect carb to top it off!

Products Featured in this Article

Related Articles

Dual Plane vs Single Plane Intake Manifolds Explained
by Mark Houlahan - Posted in Tech
5/6/2022
Dual plane or single plane intake manifold? Which is the best for your project vehicle's engine? Learn the differences in our buyer's guide.
Drag Racing Tire Guide: Slicks vs Radials vs Cheater
by Mark Houlahan - Posted in Tech
9/14/2023
Our guide will help you find the best drag tire for your application and needs
Battery Relocation to Trunk or Other Area of Your Vehicle
by Mark Houlahan - Posted in Tech
7/28/2023
There are several aspects of a properly relocated battery installation. Our guide will help you ensure that your relocation goes smoothly.
How To Choose the Best Piston Ring for Your Application
by Mark Houlahan - Posted in Tech
6/12/2023
There are a lot of piston ring material types to consider for your next engine build. Our buyer’s guide will help you choose the right ones.
6.0 LS Build Combinations: Recipes for 500-1,000 HP
by Mark Houlahan - Posted in Tech
6/9/2023
Making great horsepower on a budget is the LS engine family’s claim to fame, but just like any other engine, the more power you ask of it the more you’ll need to spend.
How to Select the Correct Fuel Gauge and Sending Unit
by Outside Author - Posted in Tech
5/30/2023
Here are some handy tips for finding the right fuel level gauge and sending unit for your classic car or truck.
Automotive Jacks: What Is the Best Car Jack for Your Application
by Mark Houlahan - Posted in Tech
5/16/2023
There are a multitude of automotive jack choices to get the job done, but which jack is best (and safest!) for the job at hand? Read our buyer’s guide to find out.
Exhaust Clamps: What Clamp Is Best for Your Application
by Mark Houlahan - Posted in Tech
5/11/2023
Exhaust clamps are the perfect DIY solution to assembling your performance exhaust system at home, but what is the best clamp to use for your application. Find out in our buyer’s guide.
SBC Thick and Thin Oil Pan Gaskets - Which do I need?
by Jason Lubken - Posted in Tech
5/1/2023
How to pick the right small block Chevy oil pan gasket. We look at a 350 Chevy oil pan gasket and help you identify what thick or thin gasket you will need.
Independent Front Suspension System Upgrade Choices
by Mark Houlahan - Posted in Tech
4/28/2023
Upgrading to (or updating a poorly designed) independent front suspension, or IFS, will vastly improve your classic muscle car, hot rod, or pickup truck’s braking and handling
Error
X
Note
X
Ok