carb spacer's???

08-24-2001, 12:30 PM

I see on some of the signatures, some guys are running a 1" spacer.... any reason (other than linkage clearance)???

Need to replace my carb base gasket, and the parts store did'nt have one, so i bought a spacer, just for the gasket...

------------------
Black,84 GT,ground effects,shorty headers, 'open' dual exh.,302 HO(no pollution control crap)bored .060,T5,89 ported heads,edelbrock Performer manifold, Edelbrock 2122 cam,600 Holley, high volume oil pump...

Some day (3:73 gears & N2O)!!!

will this ever end????

84_GT350 · 08-24-2001, 02:48 PM

Some dynos show a *slight* upper end torque increase using a spacer. I don't know if I'd use it for the sake of a gasket. If memory serves you'll lose some low end while gaining top end. They're supposed to make your carb run cooler...but I've never seen any proof of that. Seeing as how the entire engine compartment is hotter than hell...I don't see how placing some phenolic resin or wood between the carb and manifold will make much difference.

------------------
1984 1/2 GT350 (#842 Hatchback w/ T-tops), 302HO, Comp cams Xtreme Energy cam, Carter 625cfm carb, Weiand Stealth intake, MSD distributor, MSD coil, FMS 9mm wires, 1 5/8" MAC unequal shorties, 2 1/2" MAC Prochamber H-pipe, Flowmaster 2 chambers, KYBs, 16"x8" 4 lug Cobra Rs, Falken 245/45ZR16s

So I pushed it up to 110,
That flathead motor was about to give in,
I crossed my fingers and prayed to the lord,
Don't let me down you fuct up ford!"

"5-Oh Ford" by The Reverend Horton Heat

RPM427 · 08-24-2001, 03:18 PM

The carb spacer increases the air/fuel mixture velocity, simulated a high rise manifold. MM&FF did an article on carb spacers, the right one can be worth 10+ hp.

Dark Knight · 08-24-2001, 05:05 PM

what kind of spacer did you get? 4 hole or open? open increases the plenum area, helps the top end.. a 4-hole will increase the signal to the carb..
if it's metal, you wont see much insulation... it may be hot under the hood, but an insutalor will keep the heat from boiling the gas in the carb.. you'll notice a difference of you ever pull your carb off when the cars hot.. ;-)

------------------
84 convt,'95 302,AFR's, performer
3.55's, underdrives BBK shorties
stock cam, 1.7's
13.85@102.5
and a '68 stang that WAS nasty ;-)

08-24-2001, 11:26 PM

It is a Spectre 1" aluminum spacer, open plenum.. it came with the spacer and 2 gaskets for $18.00... the carb base gasket (not in stock) was $10.00 (saved the $8.00 in fuel)..

no big deal, just curious.... thx for the input..

------------------
Black,84 GT,ground effects,shorty headers, 'open' dual exh.,302 HO(no pollution control crap)bored .060, 10.5" clutch, T5,89 ported heads, edelbrock Performer manifold, Edelbrock 2122 cam, 600 Holley, high volume oil pump, front P235/60/R15's, rear P245/60/R15's.....

Some day (3:73 gears & N2O)!!!

will this ever end????

Dark Knight · 08-25-2001, 06:38 AM

let me know if it helps anything, I'm probably gonna go back to the performer soon, the RPM just doesnt want to run right on mine

------------------
84 convt,'95 302,AFR's, performer
3.55's, underdrives BBK shorties
stock cam, 1.7's
13.85@102.5
and a '68 stang that WAS nasty ;-)

PKRWUD · 08-30-2001, 04:32 PM

Jerry,
I have found a 1" open spacer to be very helpful on larger engines. On a 302, it just depends on the mods. I prefer an RPM manifold, but with a performer, a 1" spacer is a poor man's alternative. If you notice a difference, you might want to consider purchasing an RPM manifold.

Take care
~Chris

------------------
Retired Moderator
MustangNet

My site: JimPorterRacing

RACECAR spelled backwards is RACECAR

HEY !!! Are you ASE Certified ??? If you are, ask me about iATN. The best tool you'll ever have, and it's free !!!

Dark Knight · 08-30-2001, 05:18 PM

ha, I lost 2 mph and .2 in the 1/4 going to the RPM from the performer... go figure

------------------
84 convt,'95 302,AFR's, performer
3.55's, underdrives BBK shorties
stock cam, 1.7's
13.85@102.5
and a '68 stang that WAS nasty ;-)

85LX Coupe · 08-30-2001, 07:53 PM

So what's the difference between the Performer 302, the Performer 289 and the Performer RPM? I know the RPM is more for high end power but it's still a dual plane, right? And when would you want to go to the RPM over the 289 or 302?

Tks!

------------------
'85 LX, Performer 289 intake, 650 double pumper, KandN, Crane 1.7 rockers, Jacobs Pro Street ignition and wires, Crane coil, equal length headers, modified exhaust (new system pending), 10.5" Centerforce II, pullies, electric fan, 8.8 with 3.73's, subframe connectors, PST front end rebuild kit, KYB struts, and Eibach springs. Brakes, front seats, 1/4 windows and tailights from a 1990. No times yet.

Dark Knight · 08-31-2001, 01:07 AM

I think the difference between the 289 and 302 version is that the 302 comes with the EGR, the 289 doesnt... you'd want the RPM if you go to better heads and a bigger can...

------------------
84 convt,'95 302,AFR's, performer
3.55's, underdrives BBK shorties
stock cam, 1.7's
13.85@102.5
and a '68 stang that WAS nasty ;-)

08-24-2001, 12:30 PM	#1
jerryIII Guest Posts: n/a	carb spacer's??? I see on some of the signatures, some guys are running a 1" spacer.... any reason (other than linkage clearance)??? Need to replace my carb base gasket, and the parts store did'nt have one, so i bought a spacer, just for the gasket... ------------------ Black,84 GT,ground effects,shorty headers, 'open' dual exh.,302 HO(no pollution control crap)bored .060,T5,89 ported heads,edelbrock Performer manifold, Edelbrock 2122 cam,600 Holley, high volume oil pump... Some day (3:73 gears & N2O)!!! will this ever end????

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08-24-2001, 02:48 PM	#2
84_GT350 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: Overland Park, KS, USA Posts: 1,631	Some dynos show a slight upper end torque increase using a spacer. I don't know if I'd use it for the sake of a gasket. If memory serves you'll lose some low end while gaining top end. They're supposed to make your carb run cooler...but I've never seen any proof of that. Seeing as how the entire engine compartment is hotter than hell...I don't see how placing some phenolic resin or wood between the carb and manifold will make much difference. ------------------ 1984 1/2 GT350 (#842 Hatchback w/ T-tops), 302HO, Comp cams Xtreme Energy cam, Carter 625cfm carb, Weiand Stealth intake, MSD distributor, MSD coil, FMS 9mm wires, 1 5/8" MAC unequal shorties, 2 1/2" MAC Prochamber H-pipe, Flowmaster 2 chambers, KYBs, 16"x8" 4 lug Cobra Rs, Falken 245/45ZR16s So I pushed it up to 110, That flathead motor was about to give in, I crossed my fingers and prayed to the lord, Don't let me down you fuct up ford!" "5-Oh Ford" by The Reverend Horton Heat

08-24-2001, 03:18 PM	#3
RPM427 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Huntington NY Posts: 573	The carb spacer increases the air/fuel mixture velocity, simulated a high rise manifold. MM&FF did an article on carb spacers, the right one can be worth 10+ hp.

08-24-2001, 05:05 PM	#4
Dark Knight Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Az Posts: 854	what kind of spacer did you get? 4 hole or open? open increases the plenum area, helps the top end.. a 4-hole will increase the signal to the carb.. if it's metal, you wont see much insulation... it may be hot under the hood, but an insutalor will keep the heat from boiling the gas in the carb.. you'll notice a difference of you ever pull your carb off when the cars hot.. ;-) ------------------ 84 convt,'95 302,AFR's, performer 3.55's, underdrives BBK shorties stock cam, 1.7's 13.85@102.5 and a '68 stang that WAS nasty ;-)

08-24-2001, 11:26 PM	#5
jerryIII Guest Posts: n/a	It is a Spectre 1" aluminum spacer, open plenum.. it came with the spacer and 2 gaskets for $18.00... the carb base gasket (not in stock) was $10.00 (saved the $8.00 in fuel).. no big deal, just curious.... thx for the input.. ------------------ Black,84 GT,ground effects,shorty headers, 'open' dual exh.,302 HO(no pollution control crap)bored .060, 10.5" clutch, T5,89 ported heads, edelbrock Performer manifold, Edelbrock 2122 cam, 600 Holley, high volume oil pump, front P235/60/R15's, rear P245/60/R15's..... Some day (3:73 gears & N2O)!!! will this ever end????

08-25-2001, 06:38 AM	#6
Dark Knight Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Az Posts: 854	let me know if it helps anything, I'm probably gonna go back to the performer soon, the RPM just doesnt want to run right on mine ------------------ 84 convt,'95 302,AFR's, performer 3.55's, underdrives BBK shorties stock cam, 1.7's 13.85@102.5 and a '68 stang that WAS nasty ;-)

08-30-2001, 04:32 PM	#7
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	Jerry, I have found a 1" open spacer to be very helpful on larger engines. On a 302, it just depends on the mods. I prefer an RPM manifold, but with a performer, a 1" spacer is a poor man's alternative. If you notice a difference, you might want to consider purchasing an RPM manifold. Take care ~Chris ------------------ Retired Moderator MustangNet My site: JimPorterRacing RACECAR spelled backwards is RACECAR HEY !!! Are you ASE Certified ??? If you are, ask me about iATN. The best tool you'll ever have, and it's free !!!

08-30-2001, 05:18 PM	#8
Dark Knight Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Az Posts: 854	ha, I lost 2 mph and .2 in the 1/4 going to the RPM from the performer... go figure ------------------ 84 convt,'95 302,AFR's, performer 3.55's, underdrives BBK shorties stock cam, 1.7's 13.85@102.5 and a '68 stang that WAS nasty ;-)

08-30-2001, 07:53 PM	#9
85LX Coupe Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 7	So what's the difference between the Performer 302, the Performer 289 and the Performer RPM? I know the RPM is more for high end power but it's still a dual plane, right? And when would you want to go to the RPM over the 289 or 302? Tks! ------------------ '85 LX, Performer 289 intake, 650 double pumper, KandN, Crane 1.7 rockers, Jacobs Pro Street ignition and wires, Crane coil, equal length headers, modified exhaust (new system pending), 10.5" Centerforce II, pullies, electric fan, 8.8 with 3.73's, subframe connectors, PST front end rebuild kit, KYB struts, and Eibach springs. Brakes, front seats, 1/4 windows and tailights from a 1990. No times yet.

08-31-2001, 01:07 AM	#10
Dark Knight Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Az Posts: 854	I think the difference between the 289 and 302 version is that the 302 comes with the EGR, the 289 doesnt... you'd want the RPM if you go to better heads and a bigger can... ------------------ 84 convt,'95 302,AFR's, performer 3.55's, underdrives BBK shorties stock cam, 1.7's 13.85@102.5 and a '68 stang that WAS nasty ;-)