N/A intake manifold flows better than Turbo manifold

[suprabad]

I've been told (by a very qualified source) that an N/A intake manifold flows significantly better then a stock Turbo intake manifold. Anyone else ever heard this? Has anyone got a N/A intake manifold to turbo set-up? Pics? Or info on setting this up? What kind of problems might one expect to run into? Any information on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Wendigo]

Read something about it once, would like to know more.

 

[cjsupra90]

I have not actually seen flow numbers to compare the two, but mine was like that as I started with an N/A car. Sorry, no pictures and the turbo is not on it as I am undergoing a new project... In theory, it should, as having the Y-pipe going to the plenum would promote more even (balanced) air flow to the runners. only true way to tell would be to flow both and compare the numbers.

 

[Wayne G.]

In my humble opinion- yes it might all things being equal (both used on a
Naturaly aspirated engine) however with the turbo being able to create a
positive pressure in the intake side this difference does not come into play---

 

[souprat]

^^ i dunno man. even a turbo can benifit from better flow. i agree with cjsupra90, the two runners would make it easyer for the runners on the ends(#1 and 6) to breath. i think it would be worth a try.

 

[shaeff]

dean marcum had the N/A setup on his turbo car. all the work that is entailed to make it function properly isnt worth the small gain it gives. if you're going to put that amount of work into it, you may as well double the amount and put on/ build a front facing intake manifold...

besides, with the N/A intake setup, you'd need to remove the throttlebody Every time you want to change the spark plugs. it's damn annoying. you'd also need N/A valve covers, as well as the rest of the intake setup...

-shaeff

 

[lagged]

not to mention no place to mount the coil packs.

its trivial to get it to work, however its not worth it.

i remember seeing a picture of drjonzes car from way back with the NA intake manifold.

 

[suprabad]

Assuming that you've got all the n/a stuff (I do) other then the normal turbo parts; would anything have to be fabricated? Maybe I'm not seeing the whole picture but I don't see why this would be such a big hassle. Can someone enlighten me? :icon_conf

 

[cjsupra90]

it depends really as to what exact parts you are using turbo wise. either way, yes there will need to be a little bit of fab that needs to be done. the major things are if using the N/A engine managment the a intake pipe (airfilter to turbo) needs to be fabbed to clear the distributor along with a form of fuel enrichment of some form. if using the turbo engine management, the a coil bracket and possibly costume wires needs to be fabbed as you have to use the N/A valve covers which have no prevision for the factory coil bracket.

 

[suprabad]

What about going with an aftermarket HEI and thereby eliminating the need for the distributor to crank sensor/coilpack swap? How much (if anything) would you lose by going this route? What exactly do you gain with the turbo ignition system vs. the n/a?