Hey i was looking at these TPIS mini ram intake manifolds, and as the add says it can add 75-80 Hp on a stock TPI motor, is this true? Has anyone got one of these or knows someone who has? It has really sparked my interest. Information about them would be appreciated thanks!

 

they may...but its all top end. i think they claim that at like 6500rpm or so? you would lose alot of torque down low and it would be a dog.

 

i used the mini ram back in the early 90s my car was certainly no dog it lost a little bottom end but the gain up top was worth it lost a tenth in the 1/8 but gained 4tenths at the end.to take full advantage of this intake you really need a cam,proper tuning,24lb inj.and of course a set of headers..

 

well, then theres proof, mine was only speculation. only reason i didnt want to go that route was price. so i picked up my HSR...something to think about.

 

What is an HSR?

 

HSR is the Holley Stealth Ram.

BE VERY CAREFUL when talking about HP numbers for the TPIS Mini-Ram. They say about 75 or 80 extra, but they mislead you in grand fashion. The MiniRam makes that much more power at about 6000 compared to the stock TPI at 6000. Well shoot, we all know that the stock TPI can barely flow to 5000. I don't have a dyno chart, but it's safe to say the two intakes are probably similar around 3000 rpms. Does that mean I can say "The MiniRam is NO BETTER than the stock TPI"?

If you compared the peak HP of the miniram against the peak HP of the stock system, although they'd be at different RPMs, I bet the miniram wouldn't be more than 15 or 20 at the most.

Don't get me wrong, it's a GREAT intake, and with additional mods it'll help ya make BIG power, but don't be mislead by the claim of 75-80 HP over stock!!!!

 

Alright i appreciate the input. I just would like to upgrade the intake system on my car. But im not sure which way to go. like i know edlebrock has a system with the runners, there are slp runners, accel has a system, and tpis have larger runners too. Would just runners help on a stock setup or do i need the whole thing with the bottom manifold?

 

this is the HSR
http://www.stealthram.com/

as far as doing just runners, i have heard that by themselves they can actually slow you down. something about air not moving as fast, i dont know, maybe someone with better knowlege will chime in. i think if you were to get aftermarket runners and port the base you would be fine though. for price, i dont think you can beat the stealth ram.

 

so with the stealth ram i am assuming u will totally loose the runners. Would u think that this would be a good investment on a stock l98?

 

I would do exhaust before intake. if you do intake now you probably wont feel much difference at all..

get some damn headers first.

 

I guess i will have to go with the headman 2055's then....

 

you mean hooker?

get the hedman 68476

they are much cheaper and just as efficient.

 

get the hedman 68476

 

The biggest problem with the tuned port set up is the small diameter,long runners. It gives great velocity on the intake but starves for air up top. If you just put the runner tubes on you still have the plenum and intake ports the same size. If the intake is ported or changed to a larger base, along with the bigger runners and the plenum is ported to remove the blocks at the front and enlarge the ports it can breathe better. It will slow velocity slightly but move more air which helps in mid range.

The miniram is an LT1 style intake and really shortens the runners. This intake gives a more linear torque curve and great mid range and upper rpm power.

 

If you click the sticky up top that says "TPI shootout in Feb Super Rod magazine". You can get an idea of dyno numbers.

 

if you get the HSR intake manifold can u just use 4gen fuel rails with it?

 

I went with the TPIS big-mouth on both my cars. Living in CALIF. I have to deal with very strict smog laws and the Mini-Ram is not smog legal. I just now read the sticky mentioned above. I built a 383 for my IROC 2 years ago and I went with the TPIS ZZ9 cam along with TPIS big-mouth and their large tubes, and 190cc AFR heads. Seven years ago I bought my first big-mouth from TPIS and installed it on a stock ZZ4. The motor wound up in my 67' Camaro but was originally intended for my 87' IROC. My L98 with over 240,000 miles and 13 years of hard usage wouldn't DIE!!!! I could have used the mini-ram on my 67' but couldn't afford to buy another manifold.
Anyway, TPIS in my opinion, is one of the best sources for TPI mods. They have devoted more time in developing TPI systems than any company in the country. That's why I use their stuff and listen to what they say.
The article in the sticky seems to agree that TPIS knows how to make a TPI system work extremely well.

 

well yes and no...there are still runners, they are just part of the base. but yeah, exhaust before intake.

i almost totally agree with that...the other day i saw something where TPIS was telling someone an LT4 hot cam was too big for a 350, and the LT4 conversion was better suited to a 383. as of now my opinion on them has kinda changed

 

TPIS is a knowledgable company, but they use other companies products and research. In my opinion, there are other, better companies for TPI engines out there. 2 of the best in the country, Lingenfelter's and Arizona Speed & Marine. There are others as well.

 

I agree with Buddy on the TPIS thing. If you have TPIS parts on your car, you can rest assured that you have GOOD QUALITY parts. The question is are they worth the high price? And are they TPIS parts or just rebadged parts from another company?

It's been awhile, but IIRC, the runners are AS&M, and the bigmouth base is just the Eddy base, right? Again, VERY good stuff, but it's not really TPIS.



As mentioned, I'd go with headers and a catback before intake.

 

What's up with tpis website? All of the links on it do not even work and you cannot view there product catalogs anymore.

 

was just there and worked fine