Oval or Rectangle Ports?
Oval or Rectangle Ports? I'm in the market for a new intake for my 396 and I'm not sure if it has oval or rectangle port heads. Any way to find out? It's a 1969 Suburban with stock heads. Also, as far as intake manifolds are concerned, can one be used with another oval/rec or rec/oval?
Right now it has a Torker II which doesn't give me the low end I need with such a heavy rig. I'm looking for a good dual plane. Wanna swap?
Right now it has a Torker II which doesn't give me the low end I need with such a heavy rig. I'm looking for a good dual plane. Wanna swap?
TECH Addict
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: LaConner WA
If the engine is all OEM then it's gonna have oval ports. Whether or not is has large or small oval ports I couldn't tell you in that year. You also need to use oval port intakes with oval port heads etc.
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 41
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From: Roseville, Michigan
Look on your intake it might say torqer O meanig oval ports if there is an R its has rectangle port. If you dont see that yank off a valve cover and get the casting number.
More than likely they are oval ports unless someone has changed it.
I seen many people use oval port intakes on rectangle port heads its supposed to help somehow with tq. but ive never herd how it works, i guess its an old school trick.
More than likely they are oval ports unless someone has changed it.
I seen many people use oval port intakes on rectangle port heads its supposed to help somehow with tq. but ive never herd how it works, i guess its an old school trick.
Originally Posted by FastRedChevy
Look on your intake it might say torqer O meanig oval ports if there is an R its has rectangle port. If you dont see that yank off a valve cover and get the casting number.
More than likely they are oval ports unless someone has changed it.
I seen many people use oval port intakes on rectangle port heads its supposed to help somehow with tq. but ive never herd how it works, i guess its an old school trick.
More than likely they are oval ports unless someone has changed it.
I seen many people use oval port intakes on rectangle port heads its supposed to help somehow with tq. but ive never herd how it works, i guess its an old school trick.
Why would they call a single plane manifold a torker anyway... You guys agree I should go with a dual plane like performer air gap?
TECH Addict
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,662
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From: LaConner WA
A Performer or Performer RPM are both excellent choices. On a 396 I'd say the Performer would more than likely the better choice, depending on intended rpm range of the engine. I've got the Performer RPM on my 2nd gen and love it. I usually shift ( when racing ) at 6200 rpms and go thru the traps at 6400 rpms. I makes absolutely GREAT torque. Hard to hook up, but fun to try 
Thanks Racehead
Sorry, hate to be that guy... The motor has the stock heads and cam (as far as I know), the torker II I mentioned, a Holley 650 (kinda small for a 396, I know, but better for low end), HEI dist w/50,000 volt coil (red cap), and full length headers waiting to be installed with 3 chamber flows. You agree the torker is all wrong for this combo?
I'd love to throw a new cam in it. I have been looking at the comp 268H-270H.
Originally Posted by FastRedChevy
Well we dont know the rest of your parts but a RPM air gap is a nice manifold.
I'd love to throw a new cam in it. I have been looking at the comp 268H-270H. Trending Topics
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Verdad Gallardo I had a 402 (punched 396) in my 71 Elky and the single plane intake is garbage for street driving or a heavy car. I would go with the performer RPM. As for a carb, the 750 or 780 would be my choice.
Oval port heads vs. square ports. The square ports are just that, square, the ovals will be curved at the corner and ususally smaller. Stay away from the peanut port oval heads. No power potential. Also, check the casting numbers at mortec.com. This will help you out. The big ovals will a good size valve would be great for the street. The big square ports are for alot of flow in a racing application.
Dual pattern cam around a .500 lift will work great.
Good luck!
Oval port heads vs. square ports. The square ports are just that, square, the ovals will be curved at the corner and ususally smaller. Stay away from the peanut port oval heads. No power potential. Also, check the casting numbers at mortec.com. This will help you out. The big ovals will a good size valve would be great for the street. The big square ports are for alot of flow in a racing application.
Dual pattern cam around a .500 lift will work great.
Good luck!
