Hi, I'm new to this site. I have a 1968 442 W-30 with a '70 455 engine in it. I have Ka heads which I've ported extensively over the years. I think it's time to upgrade to some aluminum replacements. She dyno'd at 496 HP and 573 Lb.ft. torque at the crank. The dyno operator said the carb is plenty big (reworked 850 Holley flowing 932 cfm) but the intake volume was only 740ish due to the poor flow of my gasket ported Torker intake. I was skeptical, but he put a 750 Holley on to prove his point and the numbers were identical. I am looking at the Edelbrocks and will do some more internal porting on my Torker. I want to break the 500 HP barrier, and the torque I'm already happy with !!! I have visited this site in the past and found some interesting threads. I looked at the PROComps from Bernard Mondello, but as I used to deal with Joe and always got what was promised, I have heard too many bad things about their company. Too bad Batten is out of the picture !!! Those were some stout products !!! Looking forward to some good advice on my future purchase !!!!

Thanks, Rocketman!442

 

Bernard Mondello, Mondello Racing Engines and Mondello Performance are three different companies.

 

As noted. The Bernard-ported ProComps are probably the most cost effective Olds heads around. Now, it sounds like you may prioritize performance over budget, so you might want to consider some of the more esoteric aftermarket Olds heads like the Wenzler heads.

 

Have you considered leaving the heads alone & trying another intake prior to sapping to aluminum heads? What are your HP goals & how do you use the car?

 

I am hoping to top 520 HP at the crank. I have run 12.38 on the track with a milder cam and C heads, I would like to break into the 11's. My main goal is to scare away the Mustangs that buzz around my car like pesty mosquitoes. Usually when I punch it from a roll and light up the M&H Racemasters they back off !!! I will take it to the strip occasionally, but mainly it's a car show piece?? There is a guy with a Cutlass with a done up 468 Chevy in it who I'd really like to beat up on!! Sacrilage/Chevy in an Olds, his plate says Gutlass, but it's tubbed out, lightened up, and does go pretty good.

 

I've heard good things about Bernard as well.
But I'd personally steer clear of Mondello performance.
A call to Bill Travato at BTR is always a good starting point. A real straight shooter who knows his stuff and can get you good deals on a lot of Olds parts.

I have the RR Wenzler heads and I'm not sure you need to go with them to meet your goals. There's some work involved with getting into them. Dedicated intakes, trouble mounting brackets etc. but good flow with some work.

From what I've heard, you do not want to go with edelbrocks OR pro comps right out of the box. They all need to be checked over and have some valve work to be safe.

Good luck and gorgeous car!
-pete

 

Thanks for your input. I was looking into the Rocket Racing heads (Wenzler) but I feel they may be overkill and may not fit under my stock hood ?? I am willing to do some work on the Eddy's, but I thing I will contact BTR, seems to be the Big Olds Guru out there? I like your Avatar, my Olds used to leave just like that, but I hate that it always cracked the lead in the windshield upper corners? I use the adjustable Edelbrock upper control arms now and it launches like a Mopar, plants the tires and the whole body lifts, with no more flexing the front end. I couldn't keep a Muncie in it after that though, went to Tremec and so far so good !!!!

 

You have enough HP already to run 11s. Tell us about the rest of your combination. If you optimize your converter, gears, tires size etc you might just find that 0.4 seconds without touching the heads.

 

I have a 12 bolt Chevy rear with 3:73's , tremec TKO, with 3.27 first gear and the .68 5th overdrive. I haven't run it on the track since putting in the Tremec ? It may just run 11's? I have to talk the Mrs into letting me play, as the last two times I bolted the Goodyear Eagles on she spit out 2 Muncies in a row, as in ripped 1st gear right out. I will try to sneak it out to the local strip and not break anything. She is quite heavy, 4000 lbs. with me in it, but that much torque it should pull about an 11.70 I figure ??? We'll see how it turns out? The M&H Racemaster drag radials don't hook at all so I haven't broken anything on the street?? If I break the Tremec I may go to the 4speed automatic (700R4?) same 1st gear and .68 overdrive like the Tremec. put in about a 3800 stall converter and yank the wheels !!! Just have to save up some money for that venture ???? Maybe the Tremec will survive, I hope so.. Don't like it when Mama won't talk to me for 2 weeks !!!

 

I should elaborate a bit more on the engine. 10.5-1 Diamond pistons .030 over. Oliver H-beam rods, extensively ported Ka heads, gasket ported Torker intake, reworked Holley 850 (flows 932 cfm now) Lunati Voodoo Hydraulic Roller, can't recall specs. but pretty radical. Harland Sharp roller rockers. Factory 69 GM dual disk diaphragm clutch. Hooker Super Comp. headers, 3" Magnaflow exhaust with x-pipe. Milodon 6 qt pan and hi volume pump. Msd Ignition. Engine did 21 dyno pulls while tuning, up to 6200 every time, steady as a rock. I still keep it under 5800 on the street.

 

Hi, just looking at that Pro Comp air gap intake that Bernard Mondello offers, anybody using this? I was told by my Dyno operator that my Torker intake was restrictive and holding my HP figures back. He said the intake was pulling only 740-ish cfm. I have a reworked 850 DP Holley that now flows 932 CFM. I was skeptical of his statement as I have the intake ported out to gasket size and about 2" into the runners. To prove his point he took off my big carb and bolted on a 750 Dyno Mule that he had. Guess what, identical numbers ??? I wonder if the Pro Comp would flow better than the Torker, I don't like those slim outer runners on that intake, I can see that being restrictive !! Any air gap owners out there ???

Thanks, Wayne

 

I think there is a thread around w some intake comparisons

Yeah here it is. https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...omparison.html

 

Call Bill a BTR! He can help get it sorted both your engine and suspension.

 

I don't think you will get the air gap under your hood.

 

The air gap will fit with a drop base air cleaner and 3" filter, doubt you'll get a bigger filter in there!

 

You got a picture?

 

Who has proof that a airgap is better than a torker?

 

That thread went nowhere! The torker wasn't bolted on and run. Was the air gap even tried?

 

Thanks for all the help guys! I will be calling BTR, sounds like The BBO Guru ???

Wayne

 

Give me your cell # I'll send you a pic...