I know there's no benefit in using the Toro intake, but is there any significant draw backs in using it? I just like the reactions it brings when people look in the engine bay.

 

I've heard they flow better than the regular intakes, I think the late Chris Witt commented on this a long time ago. I kept one just in case I were to put a big block in a G-body for hood clearance. Jmo.

 

Chris once posted an SAE paper published back in 1966 (I think) by Oldsmobile Engineering which did in fact claim that the sunken Toronado intake was actually higher performance than the regular one. I can't remember the details, whether it was static flow, or flow at a certain valve lift, or perhaps actual engine horsepower.

 

Would be interesting to see the SAE paper. I had once seen some actual test data from Olds Engineering on the 1970 engines, and the Toro GT did not actually have a higher hp than even a 442 (non-w30). Whether that was a function of either the intake/exhaust manifolds or a combination of each would be another question... since in 1970 the 442s would have divided manifolds.