1970 Nova L78 Intake '569' - perfomance!!

[Bahnz70]

I am finishing my 1970 L78 Nova, this was a former racecar (stock) and when I bought the car the '291' heads were in the trunk and it had aftermarket aluminum heads on the car. I am leaving them on and building kind of a day 2 street car. My question is I currently have the '569' intake on the car but my engine man says that I could probably gain about 50hp with an aftermarket intake. How well does this stock intake flow (they put it on the LS6 cars) and does a '163' from 69 flow better or should I go aftermarket (edelbrock, Holley, Weiand) and what aftermarket is best.
Thanks for all of the input...

[Chevy454]

The 163 will be better than the 569, due to the higher carb flange of the 163 [ports are therefore better]...but even better than the 163 is the newly NHRA approved 359 intake, which is even taller at carb flange, and the diffusers on the port floors run side-to-side [towards valves] as opposed to front-to-back like on the 163/569.

But, a full boogie race intake [ie, taller] will definitely have the upper hand over the factory intakes...but the lower profile street/strip offerings [like the Stealth, etc] probably aren't gonna be heads & shoulders above the factory intakes. A lot of it depends on the look/feel you're going for, and ultimately what your performance aspirations are?

I bet our resident induction guru Eric Jackson [Vintage Musclecar] could shed some valuable light on this subject as well... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[CamarosRus]

Rob, What was OEM application...........for the 359
and any knowledge of it fitting under stock 70 Camaro hood, with any form of decent air cleaner????

[DarrenX33]

If the 359 is taller than the 163 then it definetly ain't gonna work. 163 won't clear a stock 70 hood. Go L88 hood or choke your motor with the 569. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Chevy454]

The 359 is an all new creature, I believe, straight out of GMPP...the NHRA allows it & the non-original 401 aluminum heads on the L78 & L72 combos. Why is beyond me...maybe as a concession to all the whacky FoMoCo combos.

[markjohnson]

That #359 intake manifold is made for GMPP by either Edelbrock or World Products. I think the #163 intake will fit because it came on '69 Novas and the VERY similar #069 came on '68 Novas. What changed on '70 Novas?

[Mr. Chevy]

Definately do not use the stock low rise 70 intake if your looking for power.. I have talked to guys who said they have actually noticed a big difference in driveability by switching to the higher rise intakes.... If its originality your after and don't care about performance then use the stock, low rise...

Rich

[Chevy454]

[ QUOTE ]
That #359 intake manifold is made for GMPP by either Edelbrock or World Products. I think the #163 intake will fit because it came on '69 Novas and the VERY similar #069 came on '68 Novas. What changed on '70 Novas?

[/ QUOTE ]
Interesting, didn't know it was outsourced, but doesn't surprise me.

BTW, I think Darren was answering Chuck's question regarding his '70 Camaro...but you're correct aobu thte original poster's question, if it'll fit in a 68/69 Nova it'll fit in a '70. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[ORIGLS6]

Nevermind, Rob treed me on this one! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[markjohnson]

I'll tell' ya....I've got one those #569 "pancake" intake manifolds that's orignal to my LS-6 and the funny thing is, if you turn it upside down, all the runners resemble a #163. I bought a magazine from the early '70's last weekend with an NHRA Stock Eliminator Chevelle that uses a #569. In the article, they stated they had compared it greatly to the Hi-rise, that the runners measure out exactly same, and performance was equal in their limited camshaft applications. For what it's worth.

[markjohnson]

Intake manifolds are a fetish of mine. I've messed with them all at one point or another and actually used to enjoy changing them. Anyway, if you have aftermarket aluminum heads, the Edelbrock Performer RPM is hands down the best street manifold ever made. The Air Gap Performer RPM is even better, but possibly a tiny bit taller. My all time favorite intake is the Dart single plane Oval port which has been opened up to Rectangular ports. Very, very tall though.

[JLerum]

[ QUOTE ]
I'll tell' ya....I've got one those #569 "pancake" intake manifolds that's orignal to my LS-6 and the funny thing is, if you turn it upside down, all the runners resemble a #163. I bought a magazine from the early '70's last weekend with an NHRA Stock Eliminator Chevelle that uses a #569. In the article, they stated they had compared it greatly to the Hi-rise, that the runners measure out exactly same, and performance was equal in their limited camshaft applications. For what it's worth.

[/ QUOTE ]

Was that the article on Durham's 70 Chevelle L-78 car?

Jim

[Bahnz70]

Thanks a bunch for all of your input - it is interesting on the article on the L78 Chevelle. Like I said I am kind of making the 'Day 2' street car and I want to keep an 'original' type look but want as much performance as I can get. With these responses you guys have answered my questions...I think I will look into the air gap - will this affect any of my stock choke applications or radiator hose fittings?
Thanks again
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[WILMASBOYL78]

Mike, I have used all of these manifolds on big block engines....here is my .03 cents (inflation):

most guys back in the day switched out the low-rise for the 163 to gain some extra performance...I think the gains were more noticeable at the track than on the street. I have recently dynoed a 1970 402 witht he flat intake, stock cam, stock car...a little over 430hp...another friend had similar results in the upper 420 range. I'm sure there are another 15-20 ponies in the hi-rise...but, doubt you will feel or see the difference on the street. For a day 2 look the 163 would be my choice over the air gap, since the AG was not available back then....or find one of the older Edelbrock or Weiand units for an aftermarket day 2 style. I have attached a photo of our 70 day 2 with the 163 and the 68 car with airgap and aluminum heads...hope this helps. Let me know if I can help further.

wilma

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/400471-tn_IMG_0651.jpg

[WILMASBOYL78]

68 w/airgap...

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/400472-tn_DSCN1067.JPG

[mfchassisworks]

Could you post the article on the Chevelle?

[Bahnz70]

That is nice to see the pics Tom, thanks. Kind of Ironic I have a set of those valve covers that I was thinking of using - good to see how they will look. I am kind of torn - I may try the 163 first - was there any issues with that air gap as far as hooking hoses/choke/etc.

[WILMASBOYL78]

Mike, hose connections on the 68 are easier because the alternator is on the driver's side...163 connections were fine...I can send some detailed photos if you need them...you will need longer choke arm (1969) if you have the factory setup...70 air cleaner base is different for hose outlet position...fuel lines (pump to carb) and block are also different...basically you just have to use all 1969 stuff and it will work perfect. If your 70 has a throttle cable...there is no issue...it works fine.

[Salvatore]

A Tarantula (angle mounted carb) intake. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[Bahnz70]

I think it might have the throttle cable - it was built 10B of 69 so i could almost get away with a 69 intake, no? Detailed pics would be extremely helpful.
Thanks
Mike

[WILMASBOYL78]

October 69 car will have a mechanical throttle...change over took place in late December/early January....as for the intake...all 1970 model year L78 cars had the low-profile intake manifold. The L-34 used a low profile cast iron intake...I'll get you some photos...

wilma

[Chevy454]

Something worth mentioning is that on the factory intakes, milling down the plenum divider & a little port matching will help the combo quite a bit, especially those engines with headers. That's the setup we're running on Red Alert...

And here's a good read about carb & intake work from our very own Eric Jackson: click (http://www.vintagemusclecarparts.com/496_Project_8.html)