SVO 2.3 turbo gutted/welded complete intake manifolds

[BLK BRD 88]

Three main questions:
Does $300 seem like a reasonable price for these?
Will these make a significant difference in the power on my 84?
Are there a lot of modifications to get these installed on an early 84?
Ron
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Complete manifolds for 84-86 SVO & 84-88 Turbo Coupes

[Chuck]

Just bolting it on will not dramatically change the performance. Mated with a larger Throttle Body may give you more flow. A different cam will also help to get a better flow. A gutted upper intake should move your power-band up in RPM. I've heard various different advantages/disadvantages of a knife-edge lower. Someone more knowledgeable than me can take over now...

[BLK BRD 88]

Just bolting it on will not dramatically change the performance. Mated with a larger Throttle Body may give you more flow. A different cam will also help to get a better flow. A gutted upper intake should move your power-band up in RPM. I've heard various different advantages/disadvantages of a knife-edge lower. Someone more knowledgeable than me can take over now...

Thanks Chuck,
I am purchasing an LA3 ECU and brown top injectors for it & thought that these manifolds might be a good additive with them.
Woo Hoo...I finally hit the century mark on this forum!!
Ron

[MikeFleming]

We've probbaly covered this prevoiosly but htere are a few required things, and some options, to do to make it work correctly. I'll cover what I recall from memlry forst.

1. If you have a pre-1985 cylinder head. you will need to drill and tap one more intake manifold side mounting hole - the upper-front most one. This hole will semi-go into the valve oil tray area under the cam cover so you will alwyas need to add teflon tape ot prevent having an oil leak. It's a simple jobn that does not require removing the head.

2. IF you use the KS system, YOU MUST not use the in-line EEC. PE, LA, or later is REQUIRED. Note the PE/LA/etc REQUIRE the brown (35 Lbs LI) injectors.

3. The EGR tube is different between the in-line and square intake.

4. The fuel rail is different between the ijn-line and square intakes while the fuel hoses/tubes/fittings (for SVOs) are the same. A fuel rail from an 87/88 TC will have downward-facing spring-lock fittings and mods will e required to fit an SVO.

5. With the proper exhaust restriction reduction, this set of mods is worth at least 30 HP and 40 Ft-Lbs.

6. I do not recommend gutted intakes for street use nor for airflow-sensing EFI systems. It's a long technicated story but it has a dramatic effect on throttle tip-in enrichenment - in a bad way Additionally it seriously reduces the effect length of the individual intake runners and that will have an effect on low-RPM power and response. Which is already seriously lacking on these turbo engines. For a street car it would be good to move the powerband downwards with small cam and advancing it. At least until you get accustomed to driving it in the new config.

In conclusion, it's a good upgrade but you can't leave out any steps or parts. They all must work together.

BTW - In my experience, that century mark doesn't last very long. Enjoy it while you can.

[BLK BRD 88]

Thanks Mike,
I think that I like my SVO as it is for now.
I guess my first mod, other than the K & N cone filter, will be exhaust. Then I will see if I want more or am satisfied with the way it runs with 3" single all the way back.
Ron

[MikeFleming]

You want more. Trust me on this.

[brsvo]

If you could go back to my first threads they were about being stock looking with mods. After 15 years of ownership this is not a concern anymore-More Power Scottie!!!

[BLK BRD 88]

You guys are no doubt correct, but I turn 72 in a couple of months and my perspective & ability to work on cars has changed in the past few years.
The last thing I want to happen would be to do a bunch of performance mods on my SVO then get blown off in it by my brother's Cummins Diesel Ram Pickup.
These modern powered cars and trucks are totally in a different ball park than the eighties.

Even though I am still rowing around in a 5 speed, it is simply more comfortable at my age to go cruising in my 88TC than in the SVO lately.............however, I have to admit, still not nearly as much of a blast to drive as the SVO.
Ron

[quikup]

Glad there's another old f##t that owns one of these. Turned 72 in March. My few mods seem to have worked pretty well. If you look at the throttle body through the hose that connects it to the intercooler you can note that the throttle body sticks out into the air flow. Radius the throttle body so that it blends to the hose. I also cleaned the upper portion of the casting(distal
to the TB) that casting is full of defects and can be cleaned up with a flexible shaft and grinder. I used a Forced 4 CAI and really hogged out the exhaust manifold. I have a t3t4 turbo and 3'' down pipe and free flow exhaust. In terms of HP I have no idea but it pulls really hard for a lightly modded car. Oh forgot, I have a high flow fuel pump and a TC intercooler. Not too much $$$ spent and I feel well worth the trouble. Happy upcoming Birthday...

[BLK BRD 88]

Thanks for the encouragement quikup. I would never have imagined that there was anyone on this forum older than I am.
I have a 3" mandrel bent soft steel elbow fabricated by jangus that I still have to get installed with a 3" down-pipe and new larger exhaust all the way back.
(That reminds me, I had better get that done soon, I still owe him a core).
Time & money are what prevent me from getting a lot of things done now that I am retired....far busier with less pesos.
I will look into some of the mods that you suggested above in the near future.
Ron