Torker 289 on stock engine?

I have a chance at picking up a used Torker 289 for my stock cammed 302. I'm currently adding Hedman 88300's, a recurved dizzy, & a holley 500 two barrel. Anybody have any experience with the combo or problems to look for on a used intake other than broken/stripped bolt holes?

 

I use one, and really enjoy the single plane response.

I used it with a just slightly better than stock cam, and it woke the engine up a bit.

Better heads help, and of course, a better cam later on won't hurt.

 

I wouldn't run a 2-barrel on it. If you're going to all the trouble of an intake swap, it should be topped with a 4-barrel. The original Torker should run just fine on a stock 289/302. I don't care for the Torker-II though. It's not the same.

 

Definitely needs a four barrel. Two-barrel won't bolt up, unless you put an adapter on it, which would defeat the purpose.

The only issue you will have is that the torker289 holds the carburetor at a 10 or 15 degree angle off of straight, so you may need to bend your cable mounting bracket or add another intermediate plate to move your cable a little.

I used a small triangular flat bracket that had three holes in it. Put the bracket on two holes, and bolted the other hole to the intake mounting hole, and it forced the angle into the cable.

I could shoot a picture of it if you like.

 

It was a POS and I didn't buy it. Lots of corrosion and stripped threads.

 

Sounds like more work than it was worth.

 

Another good option for a relatively stock 302 is the Edelbrock Performer. It is somewhat close to the dual plane intakes used by Shelby.

 

I'm gonna hold off and look for a Stealth or Performer RPM. The Holley 500 two barrel on the stock intake ran like a scalded dog. I'm hoping the addition of headers and a dizzy recurve will work for now.

 

I agree, hold off. Otherwise you will end up going through three different intakes before you find the one you are happy with.

 

Is it true that the Performer is pretty much a factory 4bbl intake but cast in aluminum?

 

It's nothing like the Shelby Cobra intakes. The Shelby Cobra intake was made in several versions, the Edelbrock F4B was one, the most recent incarnation was Ford Racing's A321. The Performer is pretty much an alumimum version of the stock cast iron 269 4 bbl intake. Or the early 80's 302 4 bbl intake.

 

Yea. That pretty much sums it up.

 

I've run three of the 500's on 5 different engines. All worked extraordinarily well. I think it's probably Holleys most reliable carb.

 

I think you mean the Edelbrock F4B intake is close to the Shelby intake.

 

I've ported both designs several times through the years and they are not the same.

Look at it like this. If they were actually identical in design and more importantly.. volume?.. not many would have ever bought them.. not to mention all those hundreds of tests wouldn't have flush out the fact that they're worth 5-10 tq/hp over the stock design.

But, don't take my word for it when you can just compare them and judge for yourself.


As for that manifold choice on a stock motor with a 2bbl?.. you'll just narrow the rpm range even more than it already is by lopping off a few more hundred rpm of usable power down low. They're made to extend the upper range and I'm afraid your cam just won't allow that to happen in an effective manner. Get a dual plane and you'll be much better off in the long run.