Ever seen one of these before?........

Jem · Post by **Jem** » Fri May 01, 09 1:33 pm

For those of you that don't know, its an Edelbrock STR 14-4. It's a lovely nostalgia piece that's going to be just perfect for the car. I've done extensive research on the Web but unfortunately there's very, very, little information about it. What I have found out is that there were quite a few lids to choose from - single 4 barrel, Dominator, 3 x 2 barrel and I think there may have been a cross-ram top as well.

I put a message on Moparts asking if anyone in the States was running one and I only got one reply but it was helpful all the same:

'THERES AN OLD DIRECT CONNECTION RACING MANUAL THAT GIVES YOU THE PROPER PLACES TO DAM UP TO PREVENT POOLING OF FUEL. IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL YOU WHERE YOU NEED TO DAM UP AND TAKE OUT MATERIAL. IT’S AN OLD DIRECT CONNECTION RACING MANUAL, YOU CAN FIND IT ON EBAY FROM TIME TO TIME.

I DID IT ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO AND GOT MINE TO WORK VERY CLOSE TO AN M1 GOING BY THE RACING MANUAL. ALSO JETTING IS CRUCIAL, YOU WONT BELIEVE HOW LEAN YOU GOTTA GO TO GET THESE TO RUN OPTIMAL.

I USE AN ALTRONICS O2 ALERT WITH A O2 SENSOR BUNG IN EACH HEADER COLLECTOR AND USE 2 O2 SENSORS TO MONITOR AND ADJUST BOTH ENGINE BANKS. YOU NEED TO GET AIR/FUEL RATIO TO 12.8-13.1 AT WIDE OPEN THROTTLE'.

Blue happened to have an old Mopar racing manual that I've been reliably informed is exactly the same as the Direct Connection manual that the guy mentions. There's a little bit of information about removing the rib towards the back. But, NO information about damming. I've read articles about using lolly sticks and epoxy in the Weiand cross ram that that bears a similar resemblance to the STR but absolutely nothing else relating specifically to the STR so the jury's out on that one.

There's no doubt this is going to be an absolute mother to tune! After having a chat with Blue, it looks like the best way to go would be to get a carb custom made that's specific to every component in the engine. This'll obviously mean that I'll need to get the heads flowed as I'll need exact readings. They were ported at Hausers but unfortunately I haven't got the flow numbers.

Anyway, I'd be interested in your comments, advice and suggestions

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Fri May 01, 09 1:43 pm

Hi Jem

That looks similar to the magnesium "bathtub" intake for Hemis, which was designed for NASCAR superspeedway use (i.e. sustained high RPM). NASCAR mandated a single 4bbl.

I don't know anything about the Edelbrock version, but I hope it has smaller runners inside! Otherwise your idle speed will be about 3500rpm...

Jem · Post by **Jem** » Fri May 01, 09 1:52 pm

I'd like to think the runners will be a lot more friendly Adam. STR - (Street Tunnel Ram).

RobTwin · Post by **RobTwin** » Fri May 01, 09 2:29 pm

Only ever seen them on old Nascars before now - wouldnt you be better off with the 2x4 option or are they hard to get hold of too? (wasnt the 2x4 inline an early hemi option?)

Jem · Post by **Jem** » Fri May 01, 09 2:29 pm

Here's the Weiand version with the internal mods. As you can see it's a lot taller than the STR as well.

Jem · Post by **Jem** » Fri May 01, 09 2:31 pm

I think this may have been the NASCAR version. May be wrong though.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Fri May 01, 09 2:51 pm

The dams are to stop raw fuel running down the intake runners. Which tells you a lot about how poor the mixture quality will be if you try to use that intake on the street at all.

Unless your engine is only ever going to see high rpms at all times the mixture will be all over the place. With some cylinders running rich, some lean, and even those with the correct mixture will have a very uneven mixture density. You will need a hell of a pump shot to stop it bogging too. Causing even more off the line mixture problems.

Do you really want an intake that only starts to run sweet when you are half way to the finish line?

Jem · Post by **Jem** » Fri May 01, 09 3:55 pm

Just so there's no confusion Dave, the version with the dams is the Weiand intake and as you can see, the internal modifications are extensive. Blue ran one in the old days so it'll be interesting to see what he has to say about them.

However, I intend to use is the Edelbrock STR. I've read quite a few forums about this - predominantly from Mopar guys and not once have I read anything about maintaining high RPMs or bogging problems. However, I do admit that it's going to need far more tuning than just bolting on an M1.

As I mentioned earlier, the same BASE was used for the STR cross-ram version as well. We all know that the version that Rob and Stu use runs perfectly on the street, so I'd be very interested to see the INTERNAL difference in the bases between the STR and that of the 426 cross ram that they use. Over to you guys

Jem · Post by **Jem** » Fri May 01, 09 4:45 pm

3 x 2 barrel and Dominator

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Fri May 01, 09 6:48 pm

Jem wrote:Just so there's no confusion Dave, the version with the dams is the Weiand intake and as you can see, the internal modifications are extensive.

yep. I realise that. But I was looking at that base you posted a photo of at the top of this thread and that looks to have dams cast in. They are there is for the reasons I gave.

We all know that the version that Rob and Stu use runs perfectly on the street,

It runs yes. But how well would it run with a better intake on it?

The thing is that if you talk on other forums with Yanks they will tell you anything runs great on the street. What they mean by that generally is it idles after a fashion on their driveway and will get itself onto a tailer or around a showground. Maybe even down to the local cruise if the plugs don't completely foul up.

If you want looks over function I would say go for it. It will indeed run well enough to get around.
If you want it to drive better and run faster get yourself a decent modern single plane intake.

Mick · Post by **Mick** » Mon May 04, 09 1:29 pm

Yeah, a guy on the next street to me, had a manifold like that on his 383 4 spd roadrunner, it was a rat rooster, or something like that. The car had ran 11.4 in the states. He bought it from John Mimmack, he sold it to someone local and i've never seen it since.
Mick

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon May 04, 09 1:51 pm

Anythings possible with track time & patience.............

If it were me i would invest in the MSD box that allows you to adjust spark lead for each cylinder (ICT) , you could get away with uneven cylinder distribution by swapping out plug heat ranges , ie: colder plugs in the lean cylinders , you can also stagger the jetting for optimum mixture.

Just gotta work @ it.

Love to help you with it.

Jem · Post by **Jem** » Tue May 05, 09 9:38 am

Now that sounds like a plan Adam - thanks and appreciated

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Tue May 05, 09 11:11 am

No problem Jem.

Poor ole Blues certainly got his work cut out.

Jem · Post by **Jem** » Tue May 05, 09 11:55 am

He loves a challenge Adam. Once his car is finished he'll be twiddling his thumbs so I've got to keep him occupied somehow - seems like the decent thing to do