edelbrock SP2P

[blarson]

Does anybody have any idea which bimetallic choke spring/rod is needed to make a 17050617 divorced choke Q-jet work with an older edelbrock SP2P manifold?  The stock spring appears to be slightly too long and keeps the choke at least partially open at all times.  thanks!

[blarson]

btw, I called edelbrock and they don't know either 

[Cliff Ruggles]

Few aftermarket intakes work correctly with the stock divorced choke parts.  You may have to make a custom length rod coming up from the choke to the carb.

The SP2P intake is a very poor design, and never did work very well.  I wouldn't put too much time and effort into one, if you have access to a stock intake......Cliff

[blarson]

Thanks Cliff, I'm always happy to hear that my sanity check came back positive.  More than anything it's always good to have what you thought confirmed. 

Also, I'm curious, I read lots of conflicting opinion regarding that intake and was wondering if I could get a few remarks from your point of view.  Purely from an educational perspective what didn't work with the design?  I understand lots of people don't like it because of the way it gives up hp at the top end due to the smaller intake runners.  It sounds to me like a poor design for the musclecar crowd because of this reason but what about improving towing mileage on older pickups?  Is the poor match of application that makes it a poor design or is there some feature of mixture distribution (or more) that I'm not aware of? 

I need to say again that I really appreciate your expert opinion.  Finding knowledgeable individuals willing to share their expertise seems to be a rare find these days.  Thanks again.

[Cliff Ruggles]

It's a TURD and you don't see them around because they didn't work well.

The best intake out there for a SBC is the factory iron unit.  They are excellent, and the runners, port volume, design, etc, perfect for what you are doing.

Even going to an Edelbrock Performer will hurt fuel mileage in many cases as it doesn't hold the heat as well as the iron unit.  Heat helps atomize the fuel and warm up the incoming mixture, so a leaner A/F ratio will be needed for complete combustion. 

I'd dump the SP2P and use a factory intake.....Cliff

PS:  make sure to leave the exhaust crossover open.