• Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech

Do I need to port my new intake?

  • Thread starter Thread starter restomod22
  • Start date Start date Apr 4, 2005
R

restomod22

New Member
Mar 26, 2004
87
0
0
Cincinnati, Oh
Apr 4, 2005
#1
  • Apr 4, 2005
  • #1
I will probably be adding an Edelbrock Air Gap intake to my setup. Will I need to port it to get maximum performance out of my heads, etc.? I'm learning as I go with this build and based on my limited experience, I can't imagine that the intake will mate perfectly to my heads and give top performance out of the box, considering NOTHING else has been easy and convienient along the way
 
G

geordie

Founding Member
May 10, 2002
576
2
19
Apr 4, 2005
#2
  • Apr 4, 2005
  • #2
Good question. I've thought the same thing myself. I was kinda thinking that if you buy a new intake and buy gaskets from the same supplier, say Edelbrock, then I would expect them to match, but you never know.

Let's see what the experience of some of the other members is.
 
R

ravenblack67

New Member
Apr 2, 2005
46
0
0
Apr 4, 2005
#3
  • Apr 4, 2005
  • #3
Always port your exhaust first. Maximum bang for the buck. With a 600CFM carb and a high rise intake, there is not much gain to porting the intake. You should match the gaskets to the head though. Trim gasket material to ensure good flow.
 
F

ForceFed70

That's why they call it "dope"
Founding Member
Dec 6, 1999
4,818
1
69
BC Canada
Apr 4, 2005
#4
  • Apr 4, 2005
  • #4
I'd only do a gasket match. And I'd only do the gasket match if you plan on also gasket-matching the heads OR the heads have already been gasket matched.
 

brianj5600

Active Member
Sep 19, 2003
1,964
2
39
Middle TN
Apr 4, 2005
#5
  • Apr 4, 2005
  • #5
Edelbrock tech told me it is only worth 3-5hp on top and possibly cost the same down low because of increased reversion. Weather changes can give you that. I would not mess with it.
 
S

silverbluebp

Member
Aug 13, 2003
119
0
16
Apr 4, 2005
#6
  • Apr 4, 2005
  • #6
When I built my 289 we flow tested the rpm airgap as well as the tri-ys and did some minor r&d on one port each and increased the flows to the point where they started to drop off. Yea it took some time but the little 289 needs all the help it can get!
It was pretty handy having my friend who does head porting so close. He has a nice flow bench that helped out alot. The heads were heavily ported too.
 
H

HuKares

New Member
Nov 19, 2002
90
0
0
Canton, Ohio
Apr 4, 2005
#7
  • Apr 4, 2005
  • #7
I agree with just gasket match it.
 

brianj5600

Active Member
Sep 19, 2003
1,964
2
39
Middle TN
Apr 4, 2005
#8
  • Apr 4, 2005
  • #8
Ed Curtis of FTI says "Gaskets are for sealing, not designing a port." As air/fuel flows it slows down and speeds up with changes in port cross section. It takes energy to do this resulting in lost flow.
 

12sec67

Active Member
Oct 6, 2003
1,301
1
36
San Diego, Ca
Apr 4, 2005
#9
  • Apr 4, 2005
  • #9
pm my buddy 10secgoal ... he had to gasket match is AFR's to his Air Gap intake and plane the intake just to make it line up correctly.
 

rbohm

Founding Member
Apr 12, 2002
6,698
550
204
tucson,az
Apr 4, 2005
#10
  • Apr 4, 2005
  • #10
it really depends on how far off the the ports are. there should be a minor amount of mismatch to take advantage of the pressure pulses, so becareful if you choose to match the gaskets.
 
D

Dr_Pain

New Member
Apr 5, 2005
69
0
0
Apr 5, 2005
#11
  • Apr 5, 2005
  • #11
Got an Edelbrock Pro-Flo intake matted to a Stage III, 5 axis CNC ported heads. I used the FelPro 1262 to port and polish and the gains were about 25HP (oops I forgot to mention that I opened up the plenum and shaved down the multipoint injection bung, which protrude in the runner. Since I am dealing with fuel injection at the intake ports everything flows like crazy (do not need to worry about atomization inside the runner) and made the intake as slick as ice. Now that you know what I have done, here are my 2 cents.... Unless you have a big head (cylinder or yours) than there are better places to spend money to gain power. Gasket matching and all that non-sense is not worth the money, in my opinion, unless you plan on opening up the whole runner all the way to the plenum. The facts are you are flowing through the whole thing and the restriction comes from the smallest point in the runner. The step down from the intake to the head does help with the turbulence needed for atomization of your gas (carburated engine) and to create a the pulse draw as mentioned before. So if you are going with stock heads, spend the money on bigger heads . If you are looking for HP and Torque gains........ There is no replacement for displacement
 
R

restomod22

New Member
Mar 26, 2004
87
0
0
Cincinnati, Oh
Apr 5, 2005
#12
  • Apr 5, 2005
  • #12
12sec67 said:
pm my buddy 10secgoal ... he had to gasket match is AFR's to his Air Gap intake and plane the intake just to make it line up correctly.
Click to expand...


Ah, yes....I knew there was someone on here with a similar set up that was using an air gap/AFR heads. Thanks, I'll PM him.
 
1

10secgoal

Active Member
Dec 1, 2003
2,801
3
49
San Diego
Apr 6, 2005
#13
  • Apr 6, 2005
  • #13
I talked to TEA and they said gasket matching was fine, and long as you don't go more than 3/4 -1in down the throat of the runner. Port matching that intake to the heads is next to inpossible due to the shape of the intake runner. The rpm and 185's are so close in sixe as it is. And to get the intake(square port) to match the heads (oval port) will take some welding. I did have to take .055 of each side. I wish I had taken about .065. My runners were a good 1/4 on an inch off. No joke, it was disgusting. So I gasket matched, run a 750 and have no lack of bottom end what so ever. I tried a 650, too small.
 
N

Na306StAnG306

New Member
Apr 18, 2005
7
0
0
Apr 19, 2005
#14
  • Apr 19, 2005
  • #14
dustin Whats up where have you been iam guessing you moved Call me i PM'ed you
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

351W/5.8 EFI intake manifolds fading away...
  • Ryno5150
  • Jan 13, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
7
Views
528
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Feb 7, 2026
nickyb
K
Resolved Need some assistance. Holley Terminator X alongside H/C/I. Very rough/inconsistent idle
  • karhoot
  • Jun 6, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
0
Views
98
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 6, 2026
karhoot
K
E
4.6l auto to 5.4l 6 speed
  • EastanF5
  • Jan 22, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
0
Views
187
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Jan 22, 2026
EastanF5
E
A
Discussion on mild budget build/ top end
  • Acesario
  • Feb 21, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
20
Views
734
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Feb 23, 2026
General karthief
T
First Car, what should I do for power??
  • tunedV6
  • Apr 13, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
7
Views
260
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- May 4, 2026
580HP*428Cj
5
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?