Mini Ram II

[Speedy]

I was wondering if anybody had any experience with the TPIS mini-ram intake mandifold. I am thinking about getting one for my '90 and would like some feedback to make sure that it is a good decision.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[Speedy]

I am thinking about buying a TPIS mini-ram intake for my '90. Does anybody have any experience with this intake?

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[89ZZ4]

I have the Mini Ram II on my 89 with a six speed and it's a great intake but you have to look at your whole engine combo as the MR II just by itself is probably not cost effective. It's all amatter of balance with all your components. I also have all the intake, cam, heads, headers, exhaust, etc modified on a 6spd, Z51.

Phil (aka 89ZZ4)

 

[UB2 SLOW]

I agree with 89ZZZ. Just getting an intake very rarely does anything. Most of the time it hurt more than help, unless you get better heads.

 

[Vettelt193]

I was wondering if anybody had any experience with the TPIS mini-ram intake mandifold. I am thinking about getting one for my '90 and would like some feedback to make sure that it is a good decision.

Thanks,
Jeff

one thing to think about is torque vs. horsepower.... do you like the low end kick of the L98, or are you looking to get more like the LT1?(higher RPM/HP engine)

 

[vader86]

It depends on what you like, the feel of the torque or serious HP.

If you have a stick, id go with the MR.
If you have an automatic, Superram.

Should work just fine with your heads, but they would definitely need springs and Ti retainers because the MR likes to rev high with the right cam. 3 angle valve job, head porting, etc too. It can really stress your valvetrain if you push it.

 

[Ken]

I'm running a Mini Ram III, and so is Chris as well as quite a few others here if I am not mistaken. I'm not qualified (read: finished sorting it out) to give you a synopsis of my impression, but as soon as Chris sees this he'll chime in and tell you all about it.

Another member who'll be helpful in making a decision as to which manifold to choose is Grumpyvette; he prefers the Holley Stealth Ram intake manifold.

Good luck!

 

[Speedy]

Thanks for the info. everyone. I guess that I should have listed my mods too. I have TPIS long tube headers, 52mm TB, adjustable FPR, EGR block offs, no mufflers, and I have a forced air intake on the way. I guess that I'll be stepping up and getting the mini ram (just in case anyone cares...lol).

 

[69MyWay]

I am running the minram on my 90 with Edelbrock RPM heads, Crane roller 20/50 cam, 1.5 full roller rockers, Headman (cheap) headers, flowmasters, and 53mm t/b.

I have had it to the track once, making four runs. I blew my clutch on run 4, and it was not working right on 1, 2, or 3. My best time was run #3 at 13.4 @ 106 mph with nearly a 3 second 60 foot. This was with 3.33 rear gears and a ZF six speed.

I have since replaced the clutch and gone to a 3.75 rear gear.

I have ZERO experience with the Super Ram thing, except for where I have seen Grumpy promoting it. I imagine it works great as well.

What I like about the miniram is that is is a direct fit, no mods to the hood or engine bay. It looks clean and simple, and you will notice an immediate boost in hp as you will be able to spin the engine well up to 6,000 RPM and feel it keep making power vs. the L98. Plus, the tech support at TPIS is second to none. That is a huge factor in anything I buy.

For the money, you can't go wrong. I believe my car has 12s in it all day long and I owe most of that to nothing more than the intake, as my cam is fairly mild.

Good luck in whatever you do.

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

I tried a MiniRam, the high end was awesome but it did not fit my driving style. I would have had to change the rear end and go to a 3500 rpm stall converter to enjoy the results.

Since we do not have drag strips here most of my driving is either 40 – 100 mph with lots of braking and accelerating or long distance cruising at very high speed.

I went for torque and streetability over horsepower. All of the usual stuff. Big tubes, big throttle body, ported and polished every thing from mouth to behind, re-worked heads, mild cam, etc., the biggest problem was the exhaust we tried half a dozen setups before hitting one I could live with. The engine builder claims 450 ft-lb of torque at 3900rpm.

I do not know if this is for real or not but I am over the top happy with the entire drive train. My wife can drive the car without fear, mine or hers ha ha, and all of the euro-trash drivers hide from me. The neighbor with the Audi TT nicknamed me ¨RollingThunder¨ and my ego loves it.

 

[STROKED1]

I also have the mini ram on my 87 L-98, it also has TPIS headers,stage two heads, ZZ-9 cam, 52mm t/b,3.73's, and vigilante conv. With these mods on a stock bottom end, the car ran consistent low 12's with a best of 12.26@111mph. The car had about 68,000 miles on the engine then. I have since built a 396 stroker and have changed everything except this intake, so as you can see I love this intake. I do agree though you need a few mods to even out the low end loss in torque, but the car never runs out of steam. Good luck hope this helps you out, You also might want to give TPIS a call and talk to chris.

 

[Edmond]

It depends on what you like, the feel of the torque or serious HP.

If you have a stick, id go with the MR.
If you have an automatic, Superram.

Should work just fine with your heads, but they would definitely need springs and Ti retainers because the MR likes to rev high with the right cam. 3 angle valve job, head porting, etc too. It can really stress your valvetrain if you push it.

vader,

What's the difference between the mini ram and the super ram? Why use super for the auto and mini for the stick?

 

[vader86]

Simply because the MR needs alot more gear and a higher TC(depends on cam, i know, but SR doesnt) in an automatic, and the 6speed already has low gears. Its built with short runners which emphasize high end hp over low end torque, and since most people are more likely to run their rpms higher with a 6 in daily or normal driving, i think its better suited to the 6speed.

I'm not saying that you cant duplicate ETs with either manifold on either, i just think that a 6 speed takes better advantage of the characteristics of the manifold.

You know how LT1 guys with autos always seem to need 3.73s and a 2600-2800 stall TC with their car, whereas LTs with 6speeds run good times already and only need a little more gear, its kinda similar.