Hello All,

New Member - I am considering building a '69 T/A clone with my own touches.

Has anybody install a RPM Performer intake manifold on a 400 under 69 TA Hood? Any clearance issues?

I just installed a RPM on my 69 with a stock 350 hood. I had to use a drop base and a 2" air filter but I can close the hood. Not the optimum setup. I don't think I'm getting enough air.
Are you going to run a ram air setup? That will change everything.

First, welcome.

The regular Performer intake puts the carb at stock height. I believe the RPM puts the carb up another 1.5 inches or so?

I went with the straight Performer just so I could put an aftermarket Ram Air setup on my '67. My builder pointed out that the RPM would have put my 455 over the 500 hp threshold, but that's what I wanted.

Have not decided about the Ram Air Set-up but like the idea of the improved flow and extra HP.

Is the stock intake height the same on a two barrel and a four barrel?

I have the performer RPM intake in a 68 with ram air. The builder had to mill the intake about 1" to fit if I recall correctly. I don't know if any performance impact but it can't be much.
-Jim

Definitely will not fit with the stock 69 TA Ram Air setup. The RPM is 1.5" taller than stock, and with the stock upper and lower pans, there's no way to do it.

With a drop base, you can get a 3" filter under the hood, but it's tight. You have to make sure you use a lid with the least amount of dome, and a wingnut that sits down in the center of the lid. Look through the scoops as you close the hood. You'll have less than 1/2" clearance. Good idea to use a torque chain or solid mounts to keep the engine from rocking under acceleration.

2" to 2-1/2" filter will work, but not enough air for a 400-455. Even a K&N would be borderline in this case.

Holley Street Dominator or Torker II if you can go with a single plane, or to stay with a dual plane, you can port a stock Pontiac intake. Regular old Performer is ok too.

2" to 2-1/2" filter will work, but not enough air for a 400-455. Even a K&N would be borderline in this case.

My thought as well. I'll baby it until I get the hood cut open and the scoop mounted. Then a 1" spacer, a 4" K&N with a filter top and some version of a 68 lower pan setup to keep the hot air out if it works out.

Thanks for all the input. It sounds like the Performer or the porting the stock intake.

Based on what I have read. The flow is better on the Performer versus the ported stock intake?

Any thoughts?

I am guessing it will be about the authenticity and the look I want.

I thought I had read that the Perfomer intake is basically a copy of the factory RA IV intake?

The Performer is a decent intake, and will work well on a stock or mildly modified 326-400. On a 455, depending on cam and other mods, it's a bit restrictive. It works very well up to around 5200 rpm. The Edelbrock Performer is not a copy of a Pontiac intake, it's actually quite different.

An intake that was made LONG ago was called the P4B intake, which stood for Pontiac 4 Barrel. That intake was a true copy of the factory steel 67-72 steel intake, but was made of aluminum. They also made an O4B (Oldsmobile) and a B4B (Buick) that were copies of factory steel intakes, cast in aluminum.

The factory Pontiac steel intake is a pretty good piece up to around 5000 rpm, which is where most of our Pontiacs live on the street. The plenum can be re-worked, but unless you're willing to do a lot of work with a grinder, I would just leave it stock, and just port match it to the heads.

The factory RAIV / 455 H.O. aluminum intakes are reproduced, but are a little pricey. They are nearly identical to the steel intake as far as runners and plenum area are concerned, but they have a separated crossover, and are made of aluminum.

The Performer RPM is the best dual plane intake available for our Pontiacs, but it's a tall intake.

Thanks All, Truly appreciate the input and insight.