Suitable carb for RAM (bonnet clearance)

[Dave Williams]

hi

I'm investigating the options for carbs for a fairly standard 3.5 RV8 RAM.

Which carb/kits do you folks know that fit under the RAM bonnet.. I'm only looking for 200+bhp

ANny views on the Rover V8 Edelbrock and Offenhauser Carb.manifold kit from V8 Tuner? http://www.v8tuner.co.uk/product.php?id=100

dave

[russell_ram]

Dave,

Yes, I have a view on the Offenhauser manifold - it's pants for what we want. The ports are very small as standard and are further restricted by the splitter plate. OK' it's supposed to increase gas velocity when you're only operating on the carb primaries to give you more torque but at the expense of power hiigher up. The Rover engine is particularly breathing restricted anyway. Much better compromise IMHO is Edelbrock dual plane which will fit easily under a RAM bonnet on standard RV8 mounts supplied by RAM. The ultimate intake for a RV8 with single 4 barel is the Wildcat Spider.

The filter in that picture won't fit though, you'll need a low rise (dropped pan base) filter or one of the 2'' Cobra oval ones.

As for the carb, Edelbrock/Weber/Carter 500 is a bit big for a stockish 3.5. I would go with a 390 Holley (but then I'm a Holley man).

Russ

[David Large]

Russ,
I have bonnet clearance problems in my BRA 289. I have managed for the last 15 years with a Mr Gasket 7" filter which I have always suspected was a bit small on the RV8 3.5 I had. For my 15th year improvement plan I am having a new 4 litre engine built and even though I am lowering the engine marginally in the chassis I suspect I will not get a 14" low rise filter in. Where can I get the oval filter you describe to fit a weber 500.
David Large

PS I am pleased to hear you are a Holley man; my 390 has served me well but I am now being persuaded that the WEBER 500 is better, particularly on my new engine.
I have just posted a question on another thread about the difference between a Weber 500 and an Edelbrock performer. Is it anything other than branding?
DL