Better intake: SP2P or Performer?

Posted By: Kern Dog

Better intake: SP2P or Performer? - 02/13/13 06:33 AM

The W200 I recently got has one of those old SP2P intakes on the 440. The truck runs fine but runs out of breath by 3500. I had an SP2P on a 360 several years ago that had runners with internal passages smaller than a regular 318 TWO barrel intake! Is it fair to guess that the 440 version is just as restrictive?
I have a regular "Performer" intake on the shelf. I'm tempted to swap intakes but wanted some opinions on it. What do you think? Would I gain some top end at the expense of torque? The 360 SP2P was replaced by a Weiand and it improved at all ranges. This 440 is a 1975 model with 516 heads and a Thermoquad. I will be putting headers on it in a few months. Thanks, Greg

Posted By: DaytonaTurbo

Re: Better intake: SP2P or Performer? - 02/13/13 06:57 AM

I think the performer will be an improvement across the board. The SP2P was small runners to max out runner flow velocity at the expense of volume. The performer would probably be an improvement at anything over 3000rpm. Throw it on and see how you like it. The 70's 440 with smogger pistons were never any real powerhouse in stock form. Been there, done that. With a thermoquad and a set of headers it will be a nice running engine, good throttle response and decent mpg.

Posted By: Kern Dog

Re: Better intake: SP2P or Performer? - 02/13/13 07:01 AM

440s are easy for intake swaps too. I know that the Performer isn't as performance oriented as the RPM version, but it IS a truck. Low to mid range is where I need the power.

Posted By: 340SHORTY

Re: Better intake: SP2P or Performer? - 02/13/13 12:03 PM

SP2P is best when its recycled..

Posted By: scratchnfotraction

Re: Better intake: SP2P or Performer? - 02/13/13 12:39 PM

Quote:

440s are easy for intake swaps too. I know that the Performer isn't as performance oriented as the RPM version, but it IS a truck. Low to mid range is where I need the power.

I agree the performer is better than the sp2p intake.

I just put an rpm intake with a q-jet on my stock 440. picked it up from 10 mpg to 13 mpg with a lot better throttle responce and torque.

takes about 20 mins to swap my intake start to finish on the 440,cant do that on my 318 thats for sure.

another good thing on the granny tranny or any stick shift... you wont need the TP valve lionkage which makes carb selection and hook up that much ez-er with a tall intake.

Posted By: Adventurer_Sport

Re: Better intake: SP2P or Performer? - 02/13/13 12:49 PM

Quote:

SP2P is best when its recycled..

Couldn't have said it better!

I bought a new manifold and Holley Economaster carb for my 318 back in the gas shortage days, and the truck couldn't get out of its own way. I got about 2mpg better than the stock setup.

I now have a Performer cam, manifold and carb, and get better mileage than the SP2P, with a huge increase in performance.

Posted By: bigblock340power

Re: Better intake: SP2P or Performer? - 02/13/13 02:21 PM

Go with the Performer (you'll be in the 11's in no time!!)! But I've got to say the Sp2p really excels as a paper weight!

Posted By: DCI

Re: Better intake: SP2P or Performer? - 02/13/13 02:36 PM

The SP2P is a poor attempt at a fuel economy manifold with smaller runners than even a stock intake much less a performance intake. It gives really good throttle response, better low end torque and supposedly improves mileage up to about 4,000 RPM and then it is over, basically like a built in rev-limiter.

Posted By: dogdays

Re: Better intake: SP2P or Performer? - 02/13/13 06:33 PM

Surprisingly enough, if you clean it up, take good pictures and advertise it as Rare! and Super mileage manifold! you can get good $$$ on the 'bay.
Sometimes it pays to have ignorant people around!
R.

Posted By: hooziewhatsit

Re: Better intake: SP2P or Performer? - 02/13/13 08:18 PM

I have an SP2P on my tired 318. I'm lucky to see 10mpg. Hate to see what it would be with a non-mpg friendly intake (it might be better)

Posted By: Kern Dog

Re: Better intake: SP2P or Performer? - 02/13/13 09:42 PM

The SP2P ports are so small, you could plug them with a vienna sausage.
Thats funny: the reference about selling it on ebay. Despite what some may believe, I have a hard time lying to people. Calling it "rare" probably isn't lying though, since I'm sure that only a few are still out there.

Posted By: dOoC

Re: Better intake: SP2P or Performer? - 02/13/13 09:50 PM

Well ..to the

who say REcycle ? ...send them here !!

But they do run out of steam at about 4200 or so ... but on a truck or MH ....why would you need more r's than that?

To the OP (FRANKENberri} ... I would suggest a Streetmaster. THAT will go to 5200 or so.

Posted By: dogdays

Re: Better intake: SP2P or Performer? - 02/13/13 10:22 PM

MY POINT: You don't have to lie to people. There are 35 Performers for sale for every SP2P. That makes them rare.
They were designed for maximum fuel economy. Now maybe it's your opinion that they don't work, but that's what they were DESIGNED for. So it's a rare intake manifold designed for fuel economy. There isn't a lie in that sentence. There are actually s

ome folks out there who are looking for the "ultimate" fuel economy intake and they may think that the SP2P is the Holy Grail. Now it isn't lying if you don't tell them they're wrong, everyone has the right to his own opinion, after all. I've seen them sell on the 'bay for $70 - $90 if they were presented right. That's a lot more than scrap, $15 or so.
So clean them up and get them out of your garages.
Shoot, the Model 4360 Holley 450s are going for $50 and up used but clean! Two years ago I bought two of them for $35 or so each, brand new in the box. People go nuts when the price of gas goes up.

R.

Posted By: scratchnfotraction

Re: Better intake: SP2P or Performer? - 02/13/13 10:49 PM

it is not RARE! it is VINTAGE! that is no LIE!

I am swaping mine around in a quest for more mpg on the 440 truck, but as it is now with the rpm intake/NOS edelbrock #1905 q-jet/thermobog replacment carb for 72-85 dodge trucks with 360/400/440 engines. then swaping from 3.91 to 3.23 gear got me from a flat 10 mpg to 13.7 mpg.

plus the HP/Torque the rpm intake has, the kick of a spredbore carb, with truck weight down to 3700# a 2.76 gear should improve it even more on the highway.

the 440 will have enuff low end torque and spin 1850rpm at 60 mph. the stock 77 MH 440 cam seems to have the sweet spot at 2000 rpm for cuzing/mpg

then pop the 3.91 back in and wont even have to retune the engine. just