MagnaTronX Install and Field Testing
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Joined: Feb 2011
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I understand trying things to just be different, but am having a hard time understanding using the TPI manifolds. I have tuned at least a couple hundred LT4 Hot cam cars. Also probably that many TPI cars. On a 350" engine, that manifold is all done before 6000 RPM. The runners are so long, with such small cross sections, it is somewhat similar to having too long, too small tube headers.
A good, otherwise stock, properly tuned, A4 LT1 runs quickest shifted at 6400/6500. Most TPI guys wanting to go fast get rid of that manifold. A single plane Edelbrock Victor EFI & an elbow is popular, as is the Holley Stealth Ram.
Might think about a shorter duration cam with that intake. The torque with that combo would be great for a heavy street driven truck. LPE had about the best running 350" TPI cam I have seen. 211-219 @.050", actually a 210-220 Comp. It's all done about the same RPM as that TPI manifold. Better torque, gas mileage, and street manors as well.
Might think about a different cam. It would be faster and smoother. Better match.
A good, otherwise stock, properly tuned, A4 LT1 runs quickest shifted at 6400/6500. Most TPI guys wanting to go fast get rid of that manifold. A single plane Edelbrock Victor EFI & an elbow is popular, as is the Holley Stealth Ram.
Might think about a shorter duration cam with that intake. The torque with that combo would be great for a heavy street driven truck. LPE had about the best running 350" TPI cam I have seen. 211-219 @.050", actually a 210-220 Comp. It's all done about the same RPM as that TPI manifold. Better torque, gas mileage, and street manors as well.
Might think about a different cam. It would be faster and smoother. Better match.
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Verdad Gallardo Both Edelbrock & Wilson manifolds make better flowing elbows than the welded up stuff I have seen around my place. Wilson makes the TPI/LT1 TB adapter most NHRA Super Stock guys use. Kinda pricey. CNC machined plate. Some just cut one from a piece of plate & weld it on.
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 301
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I understand trying things to just be different, but am having a hard time understanding using the TPI manifolds. I have tuned at least a couple hundred LT4 Hot cam cars. Also probably that many TPI cars. On a 350" engine, that manifold is all done before 6000 RPM. The runners are so long, with such small cross sections, it is somewhat similar to having too long, too small tube headers.
A good, otherwise stock, properly tuned, A4 LT1 runs quickest shifted at 6400/6500. Most TPI guys wanting to go fast get rid of that manifold. A single plane Edelbrock Victor EFI & an elbow is popular, as is the Holley Stealth Ram.
Might think about a shorter duration cam with that intake. The torque with that combo would be great for a heavy street driven truck. LPE had about the best running 350" TPI cam I have seen. 211-219 @.050", actually a 210-220 Comp. It's all done about the same RPM as that TPI manifold. Better torque, gas mileage, and street manors as well.
Might think about a different cam. It would be faster and smoother. Better match.
A good, otherwise stock, properly tuned, A4 LT1 runs quickest shifted at 6400/6500. Most TPI guys wanting to go fast get rid of that manifold. A single plane Edelbrock Victor EFI & an elbow is popular, as is the Holley Stealth Ram.
Might think about a shorter duration cam with that intake. The torque with that combo would be great for a heavy street driven truck. LPE had about the best running 350" TPI cam I have seen. 211-219 @.050", actually a 210-220 Comp. It's all done about the same RPM as that TPI manifold. Better torque, gas mileage, and street manors as well.
Might think about a different cam. It would be faster and smoother. Better match.
since I just picked up a 1976 ElCamino sunday, I'll use the LT hot cam in it, either stay with the stock LT manifold or use a strait runner open plennum manifold, converted to MPFI.the ElCamino is to be my LT mod test mule, since I have 3 more mods wating in the wings, lol last will be a ford type M122 supercharger mod
you are correct, the TPI is all done by 6K so it is perfict for my 4X4 truck, and thanks for the "personal view" of the cams. I wont buy a cam on the mfg recomendation. I need a real person to tell me how it worked for them. then I jump. yes I have been wanting to go with a different cam in the truck, refer to the statement above since I just picked up a 1976 ElCamino sunday, I'll use the LT hot cam in it, either stay with the stock LT manifold or use a strait runner open plennum manifold, converted to MPFI.
the ElCamino is to be my LT mod test mule, since I have 3 more mods wating in the wings, lol last will be a ford type M122 supercharger mod
since I just picked up a 1976 ElCamino sunday, I'll use the LT hot cam in it, either stay with the stock LT manifold or use a strait runner open plennum manifold, converted to MPFI.the ElCamino is to be my LT mod test mule, since I have 3 more mods wating in the wings, lol last will be a ford type M122 supercharger mod
That manifold works well on a '96/'00 Vortec truck using the factory PCM, since that computer won't trigger the injectors past 6000 anyway.
I have tuned several Vortec trucks with the "hot" cam. They sound cool, just aren't as fast as they could be. Especially in a vehicle as heavy as a pick up. The runners in the factory Vortec
manifold are pretty short.
Forgot to add: The Vortec truck intake ports are higher than the factory TPI manifold. Edelbrock makes a TPI base for the Vortec heads. Bolt holes and port hight corrected for those heads. The Vortec heads are popular with the TPI guys.
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Ok guys, motor is back together, need to fill it with oil, water, install the cap and rotor (vortec) then light it off. I will drive for a bit, then Saturday (if nothing comes up) switch it to the MagnaTronX, and see if I am 180 out or dead on. stay tuned
Cory Sorry about the "F" bomb, lol
Cory Sorry about the "F" bomb, lol
Thread Starter
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Two steps forward, and then one back!!! finally lit the truck off adjusted the rocker arms, had to pull the fuel rails - (had a cut O-ring on #3 injector) cot it all closed up, installed alternator, went to put the accessory belt on, then I found a big problem. the spacers that I used behind the WP to give me access to the MagnaTronX with out pulling the WP, are in the way of the automatic belt tensioner; long story short I cant get the belt on the truck. Time for plan Q,
A through P have been used already 
So the best plan that I can come up with at this moment is to get it running on the MagnaTronX before I pull the truck out of the shop???
A through P have been used already So the best plan that I can come up with at this moment is to get it running on the MagnaTronX before I pull the truck out of the shop??? Thread Starter
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well Shat!!!! about 45 min to an hour more, I will be ready to kick it off on the MagnaTronX, or at least try to. I have the quick disconnect in place, the MagnaTronX is within 4 degrees or the Vortec Distributor. need to conect power and ground to the MagnaTronX, reinstall cap and rotor on the Vortec, then kick it. Had to quit and come to work: dang blast grumble grumble lol !!!!
well Shat!!!! about 45 min to an hour more, I will be ready to kick it off on the MagnaTronX, or at least try to. I have the quick disconnect in place, the MagnaTronX is within 4 degrees or the Vortec Distributor. need to conect power and ground to the MagnaTronX, reinstall cap and rotor on the Vortec, then kick it. Had to quit and come to work: dang blast grumble grumble lol !!!!
At least you're making progress.
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I've hit a snag, the motor has a miss now, possable bad injector. I gotta get the truck back up and running so I will be putting a Vortec back in. I then will set the LT up on a start and run stand, to work out the details on my mods where I can get to them. so we are on hold for a while. sorry guys, I'll get a new thread started when I get back to it. I did pick up a 1976 El Camino for road testing this setup. lol