I am needing to know what you need to do, or how you need to do it when removing the cast iron intake manifold off my 1972 455 engine and going back with an SP1 aluminum intake. There was some talk with the guy from TA Performance about using the old existing lifter valley pan gasket, or buying another stock replacement valley pan gasket and making some type of box of sorts to prevent oil from being picked up by the PCV Valve. Wasn't quite sure I understood what the guy was telling me was needing to be done when going back with this SP1 Intake. Any insiders trick to installing one of these SP1 intakes using the existing or newly purchase intake manifold mount valley pan ? This 455 still has the cast iron heads yet, and I would like to try the SP1 on this stock 455 engine before installing it on my other 455 I am currently building to see if it helps the stock one any, while I continue working on the other engine of mine that will have the Edlebrock Aluminum Heads on it when its finished. Any information someone can give to help give me some pointers would be deeply appreciated. Thank You. Bill
Just use the stock type metal gasket and front and rear rubber seals. Should be fine. TA sells composite gaskets that go on each head. If you use them, you have two options, modify the metal gasket by cutting off the parts that go against the head leaving the center pan, or, buy a reusable pan that sits under the intake. You need to prevent hot oil from hitting the bottom of the intake and from being sucked into the PCV valve. It is all explained in the TA instruction sheet. http://www.taperformance.com/PDF/Intake_Instructions.pdf I don't think you will be able to properly evaluate the SP1 when bolting it to stock heads and engine. The SP1 shines from 4500 RPM and up with good flowing heads. IMO, it's a waste of time and effort.
I guess I'm just anxious to install it on something. I guess I'll just wait till my other engine I'm building is ready to install the SP1 on it. Im fixing to receive a care package with a new MSD Ready to Run Vacuum points distributor, some MSD wires, an MSD Blaster 2 coil, and a 6AL-2 Ignition Box, a new Stage 1 Fuel transfer Pump, along with my newly re-built Quadrajet, thanks to Mark from Quadrajet Power.com. I feel like a kid waiting on Christmas Day waiting to open all my presents. Then of coars my new Cobalt Gauges from Autometer came in to day, I think I'm digging myself a pretty big hole making all these purchases, but its all for a good cause, Can't Wait ! Thanks for your input Larry. Bill
