Molds were also changed making the port inlets more uniform. It's easy to see if you look at them through the plenum that at least a couple of the outside port inlets are shorter.
Current Generation SP-1's also have a turtle back in the plenum floor. This helps to direct the charge towards the runners. Casting is improved, plus the machining process is considerably better, providing very consistant ports. They are nearly port matched to the SE series TA heads. Other little things that the new generation SP-1 has is the addition of vacuum ports at the back of the plenum and mounts on the underside to affix a PCV baffle. SP-X has also recieved many updates since TA started producing them.
But....cosmetically,the SPX gives a much better WOW factor...Looks like I will have to start saving money to swap from an older SP1 to the SPX.. I can smell those stage 2 heads and super comp 2 1/8 inch headers i'll be needing next winter...
Here is a great thread on the new vs old SP-1: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=21654&highlight=SP1
Keith For what it's worth,Mine is an early '90's model as well. It was first done by Tracy at Sunset,Then I touched it up a little a few years ago.
i have an early (mid 90s) without a turtle, i guess i will have to catch one and glue him down so he dont get away:TU: actually have to get some port matching done on it anyways with the trishield/ta alum stg1 se heads i am using.
keith i run the SP1 it was 1 of the first ones made by t/a it was before they even made the dominator flange i welded on an adapter and blended it in myself and my intake is only gasket matched it must work pretty good, my car has gone 9.57 @ 139 with iron heads. it runs the best with the 1" super sucker or the 1" bg 4 hole (same with each 1). so if you have a sp1 run it and dont waste you money on having the runners equalized my buddy spent $600.00 on it and didnt gain 1thou, my intake and Doug Heckers and 1 more have been cut up and made so air can run under it just like the spx and the cool runner (maybe doug can post some pics) ill try to get my bro to do it for me. i know this helped keep the carb alot cooler. so if you have a sp1 run it if not go with the spx. Later John
John, Indeed your car does run well! I would be real interested in seeing the mods made to your SP1. I remember racing against Dave Beniseks red 70 GS back in 95, he had an SP1 manifold (at least it was supposed to be) completely enclosed and plumbed to flow ice water through it. You couldn't even see the manifold because the aluminum box consumed the entire top of the manifold, very ingenious!! I have the old SP1 on my car and have toyed with the idea of doing this same modification OR buying an SPX. The jury is still out.... Thanks to all that have replied on this topic.. Does anyone have any back to back dyno comparisons between the two?
Any one got a picture of the "turtle"??? Or does TA make one that can be attached to the intake with out it crawling away? Michael
Look at the cute little turtles!!! http://www.brodix.com/parts/turtles/turtles.html Now is the cost to insert a turtle (poor turtle) and port the old SP-1 cost more than just purchasing the "new and improved" SP-1??? Michael
I have been watching this thread and I am wondering what improvements have been made to the SP2 manifold. And if their have been improvements how can one identify an older version from a newer. I believe mine has SP STAGE 2A written on it. Any incite would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Steve
I had a SP1 the old one with a 4150 1000 holley and when with a new SPX and Chuck Nuytten 1050 dom. in april i'll let you know how it hows works hoping with a fiberglass rear bumper it will go 9.99
Keith, Did you try a SPX? Seems like everything you read about this manifold (SPX), indicates that it is no better at the track than the SP1. I'm talking about the most current offerings by TA, not the old KB Wildcat or SP1 v1.0. It also seems like there are people using this manifold that are south of 600 HP and 6000 RPMs. Purely asthestics or a wash with the SP1? DuBuick, how did you make out?
Bob, same things I've read. I believe the only SP1/SPX direct comparisons we've seen so far involve the early SP1, though...TA's made some plenum improvements in the last couple of years, so things may be different. o No: Devon
I like it but Not sure if it is any better car seemed to run the same then I had greg port balance the ports and the ran aroung .2 faster all year.. Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails
Bob- sorry for the delay, I killed the e-mail...anyway John Massoud build my motor, and he stated several reasons for the SPX over the SP1- enough to sell me on it. Not to confuse the issue- he is on the board his user name is his actual name- try him and he will give you all of his info... Scott
I have tested them both with plenum work and dominator flanges. I do think the SPX is worth more in a 800 HP engine. But working in the plenum area is very important. See attached picture of the SPX intake I am using on tall port Stage 1 heads. It took many hours to port and rework!! Out of the box there is allot of flow difference between the runners. By reworking the plenum it is possible to make the SPX more equal and faster in my testing. So I think the potential for the SPX is greater in a high HP engine, if you want to put in the labor. As you can see I also had to fill in the floor of the ports to raise it to tall port size. There is plenty of metal in the SPX to raise the top of the port thou.
