newer intake setup on old head

[izzy]

I was wondering...obviously the later model intakes were a lot better and more things could be done to them like gutting and knife edging but... a friend of mines told me that the newer intakes will not fit the 84-85 (earlier style) head because of a bolt hole that is not there or something. Is this true...can i not put newer style intakes on my 85 SVO? I kno im being a cheapy because im stil going to skool but do you suggest that if i do want to run newer style intakes, that i should get a later model head? There are many, many later model T/C at Pick N Pull junk yard and lots of them stil have everything on them, motor, tranny, all of it. If i do get the T/C head (i am not planning on keeping it too long, at least till i can get a better one), will it bolt right onto my 85 svo block and i will obviously have to put my 30#s on it too huh? Also, if i do all that work, is there any way i can just keep the 35#s and install the bigger VAM if i get the LA3 computer<--i think thats what come on them? If upgrading to the better ECU (LA3), what type of modifications will i need to do to the wiring? Sorry for so many questions, these little powerplants have lots of potential!

[svobud]

Re: newer intake setup on old head

Originally posted by izzy
a friend of mines told me that the newer intakes will not fit the 84-85 (earlier style) head because of a bolt hole that is not there or something. Is this true...can i not put newer style intakes on my 85 SVO?

Yes, you can - BUT- you'll have to drill and tap for the new hole.

[SVOeric]

ok.. Like Bud said, you can drill & tap the hole in your existing head.

your car already has the larger VAM

If you want to run the 35# injectors, you will need the TC computer, or a PE from a SVO.

Wiring all depends on which computer you pick, and GT350R has all the wiring diagrams on his site @ http://gt350r.stangnet.com/

[GT350R]

Also, watch what year TC you grab an intake off of.

The 87-88 Aero style have a shorter intake. Thats why they have a different valve cover with a lower vally through the center of it.

You might also want to check your head to see if it already has the hole, unless you are 100% sure it has never been replaced. Alot have been.

If you decide to go for the computer swap at the same time, then go for the 87-88 Intake AND valve cover. The wiring pretty much comes down to an added air temp sensor in the intake (ACT). They used the wires that go to your VAT to go to the ACT and ran new VAT wires(Vane air temp located in your VAM)

You have a 85 which should have a 3.45 rear gear, so if you grab the VSS for a stick shift TC , and as much wiring for it as you can, you will be able to wire that in also and it will improve your fas mileage some also.

If you use an intake from a 85.5-86 you will not have to swap valve covers but might still have to tp a hole. You could also always tap the hole for the ACT in that one too.

[izzy]

nah, i still have the original stock head.

by the way, my car door sticker says its like after march so i thought i had 3.73's, dont i? I spun the drive shaft and counted how many times it spun until the wheel made a complete rotation and it was pretty close to 4 times, thus 3.73s, right?

[izzy]

SVO eric and GT350R, thanx for your words of wisdom.

Do i really already have the bigger VAM? I though SVOs came with the smaller ones, smaller that then T/C ones?

[SVOeric]

Yep .. all SVO's 84-86 came with the large VAM..
I am completly positive!


Also... Only 84 SVO's have 3.45 rears.. 85's have 3.73, just like 85.5 and 86.

[GT350R]

Originally posted by SVOeric


Also... Only 84 SVO's have 3.45 rears.. 85's have 3.73, just like 85.5 and 86.

Really?!?! I thought it was a mid year break just like everythink else. Figuring if he had the old intake he had the old gears.

Thats why I like this site, I can keep learning