[69ChevelleAddict]

Time for an engine swap in the ol girl and the engine of choice is a 496.
Currently in the works trying to get 10.2:1 and push 600hp.
Just tossin arround some ideas on how to squeeze every bit of power out of this thing while remaining with iron heads(port/polish/valves ect) -781 casting.
Costwise its about the same for a new intake/carb setup as it is to grab a dual quad.
But which one will perform better?
If there are power losses with one, how much could i expect to lose.

[malc]

Here´s an article from ChevyHiPerformance on dual quad setup.

[69ChevelleAddict]

Bummer I really like the looks of a dual quad but Im going for a performance build this time.
Ive read a lot of posts here about how older intake designs dont really hold up against newer dual plane single carb units(with e a few exceptions), but what about say an edelbrock performer RPM dual quad on said big block?

[malc]

While dual quads have great looks, I reckon two carbs are 2 X trouble,
how many threads do we get here on not being able to set one carb up to run ?
If there are drawbacks with this setup on a smallblock, pretty sure it´s the same for a big block.
Go for a tunnel ram intake, two carbs, power,intake manifold design issues
solved, low mpg.
Edit: Just found this

[M&C-Volker]

Hi!

I have several Intakes in my Shop, also 2 Edelbrocks for 2 x 4, bit also I have for a Ford FE and for a Chevy SB each a Cross Ram, means 2 Carbs Opposite,each for one Cylinder-Bank.

Somebody knows what to do with them? I want to build a 390 with the FE and a 383 Stroker with the MT-Intake

[xntrik]

the WOW factor wins...... amen

[M&C-Volker]

Hi, Xentrik!

I Don´t want to WOW anybody, i´m in a to big distance.

I just have collected Motor-Parts over Years and now I want to use them. They are not on this Planet to take Dust on the Wall.

Best regards

Volker from M&C Engines

[GoneNova/406]

most all the info i've come across says stick with one carb,that its as good as two and much less trouble.more will give you only slightly more power but the head aches you get for that little more are not worth it.on the other hand the eye appeal gives it that,yea thats right i've got it and i can use it sort a thing.i don't suppose you need to worry about that with 496 though do you?going with one will afford you some lattitude in using an exotic single intake.since i first saw it in a magazine i've wanted to get a tork link or some of the exotic offenhauser intakes.they do have the one that changes tops fron single to double to triple if you really want some variety.good luck

[xntrik]

Originally Posted by 69ChevelleAddict

Time for an engine swap in the ol girl and the engine of choice is a 496.
Currently in the works trying to get 10.2:1 and push 600hp.
Just tossin arround some ideas on how to squeeze every bit of power out of this thing while remaining with iron heads(port/polish/valves ect) -781 casting.
Costwise its about the same for a new intake/carb setup as it is to grab a dual quad.
But which one will perform better?
If there are power losses with one, how much could i expect to lose.

Several magazine dyno tests have shown that a good single carb usually makes more power than multiples, regardless of engine type or cubes. But the WOW factor of multiples is worth 20 hp any day of the week.... amen.

Ole Shelby said that there was NO difference in power on the 500 cars. That they all were within 5 hp. Dyno testing then and recently has proven him correct.

[coldknock]

Sorry, I'll have to be the lone dissenter in the group.

A properly chosen tunnel ram, not a short dual quad intake, with carbs calibrated for 2X4 operation will make more power than a single carb. The key, as with anything related to a performance engine, is proper part selection and tuning. Runners that are too large and carbs calibrated for individual use will kill an engine's power every time, and your enthusiasm, because it will not work. 2 off the shelf 850's and a Victor Ram will not work on a mild 327, not even on a 600hp 496.

If you dig deep enough, almost every detractor of tunnel rams and 2-4's on an engine will give you enough info to determine that it was the buyer/tuner's incompetence that was at fault. No offense intended to present company.

Even though I like tunnel rams, if you do not have a very thorough understanding of how to tune your carbs and enjoy tinkering, you probably won't like a tunnel ram and 2 carbs. It's not easy to keep them synchronized while you make changes, and you need twice as many parts when you make changes.

So, for different reasons, I'll say stick to one carb just because it's easier. Not because it won't work. There are other areas that will need to be improved before you'll ever need to get the last 10 or 20hp that a tunnel ram and two carbs are capable of adding.


Larry

[69ChevelleAddict]

Aftermarket heads will be in the future for this engine, but I need to stick with iron for now.
I really like the idea of having 2 carbs to me thats just wild.
Im not a pro at tuning or anything so i suppose that could be a bit of a snag.
Might kinda look funky with a circle in the hood webbing for the cowl induction air cleaner with an oval air cleaner on there though
Going to be a while still until I have to make a decision though so I still have more time to think about it.