[black66]

Has anyone turned a Edelbrock RPM Intake into a Edelbrock RPM Air Gap?? They seem to be the exact intake except for the notched section. Is this correct?? I was going to go to Summit in Reno and take some pictures and measurment and have my machined out at my work.....Any thoughts on this...???

[ May 10, 2003: Message edited by: black66 ]</p>

[Merk01]

I would look for one with air gap on ebay for like 50-75 bucks. Then sell the yours for about the same.

[DoubleVision]

the standard RPM intake is 1 piece of soild aluminum, the air gap is seperated, I don`t see how it could be done honestly, and I wouldn`t be willing to spend 40 hours with a hand grinder trying to find out either, one wrong move and ruined intake.

[ May 11, 2003: Message edited by: DoubleVision ]</p>

[dmorris1200]

As doublevision stated, the Air-Gap is a completely different manifold. The Air-Gap utilizes air passages under the intake runners to cool the intake charge.

[ztoy]

The only thing I have heard of that might do the same thing, is a valley splash pan. It goes in the valley under the intake manifold and prevents the hot oil from hitting the bottom of the intake. Am not so sure it is as efficient as an air gap, but its similar I believe.

[black66]

Good enough..........that is why I asked for some oppinions.....Thanks guys......

[wideglidejoe]

I've owned both Perf RPM and Air Gap, and looking at them, I don't think its possible. I think you'd ruin your RPM intake.

[F-BIRD'88]

When you are at Summit in Reno check out their house brand Summit stage 3 manifold. it is a copy of the new Wieand Air/Strike manifold. A good good buy.
If you carve out a performer rpm there will be nothing to cover the engines lifter valley. Don't waste your time. If you want to improve your rpm manifold block off the exhaust heat riser passages and install a under manifold oil splash heat shield. get a Edelbrock wooden divided carb flange spacer to reduce the carb temp.

The Professional Products Crosswind air gap manifold is very good too.
Watch ones offered on E-vil Bay. Some of these junk are seconds/defective castings that a retailer would never offer for sell. If you want to buy a manifold {reguardless of brand name} from ebay I would get the seller to post or email you pictures showing the casting quality (port flanges etc) of the actual manifold that you will receive. Before you buy it.
most of these manifolds are good enough quality but there have been some scrap/junk/defective stuff floating around that will sure disappoint you.

[engineczar]

seeing as this thread is 4 1/2 years old and we never heard how he made out I'm guessing he's still grinding

[Novas]

The question does not appear to be about cutting the entire manifold it's about cutting out the divider beneath the carb; he said, "notched section." So yes that mod can be done with a thin cutter wheel die grinder.
1) Copy the Air Gap specs. 2) Cut a series of vertical 1/2" deep slots about a 1/4" apart across the divider. 3) Take a pair of pliers and break the pieces off. 4) Use the cutter wheel to smooth the gap and if available glass bead.

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by black66

Has anyone turned a Edelbrock RPM Intake into a Edelbrock RPM Air Gap?? They seem to be the exact intake except for the notched section. Is this correct??

Besides the notched plenum divider, the plenum itself is isolated from the lifter valley- and the hot oil contained there- by having the casting seal the valley, w/o the casting also contacting the plenum. Personally, I prefer the RPM w/o the air gap. The air gap needs longer to warm up and needs some choke or feathering of the throttle until the engine is up to temp.

After both intakes are up to normal operating temp, the performance difference is more from the plenum divider notch than anything, IMO. Fortunately, the plenum notch can be easily duplicated on the RPM intake's plenum divider.

More on the results of the plenum divider modification HERE. This also has a comparison between the Vic Jr. and the RPM, etc..

[65smallblock]

Originally Posted by engineczar

seeing as this thread is 4 1/2 years old and we never heard how he made out I'm guessing he's still grinding

Now its 6 1/2 years old and STILL grinding..

[oldbogie]

Originally Posted by 65smallblock

Now its 6 1/2 years old and STILL grinding..

You know how it goes; the cutter gets clogged up with aluminum and slow you down.

Bogie

[kc8oye]

the short answer is.. even if you could, why would you!?