If you have the room the air gap is better. I had to go with the regular RPM and a 1 1/2" filter element to fit under my plain hood.

 

Larry, the RPM and Air Gap are the same height at least by Edelbrock's published specs.....and fitting an air cleaner under the hood is equally painful with either. I've had both on two different small blocks in the same car and they seemed the same.

Jerod, do what I do....get whatever is more expensive. The Air Gap had slightly better power numbers than the RPM on the dyno. Here's a good video.

 

i thought they were the same except for the price?

 

I have the orginal cowl hood, so I have room for the air gap. Is that what you would go with. Thanks, Jerod

 

I was looking to replace my old Torquer 2 three years ago. Summit's web site posted the Edlebrock specs for the Airgap (BBC) Then a notation; Not for first gen Camaro's. I called and they said it was too tall. Here's a detailed account on my web site.

http://epitomesrebuild.com/images/image_165.JPG.html

 

I had a smallblock and a VicJr with a Holley (now has a Demon), a flat hood, and a drop base air filter which cleared by 1/2" or so.

Could be your frame mounts are wrong ?

 

The RPM and Air Gap both will fit under a cowl hood with a 3" filter and a drop base. However, if you have a large cap HEI you may need a 1/2" spacer to get the drop base up enough to clear the cap, at least I did once I went the EFI throttle body. Either will fit with a flat base and a 2" filter.

Jerod, for what you have said you want to do with the car in other posts both are fine. The RPM can be found pretty cheap on eBay. I practically gave one away not long ago. If you want to save a few bucks, go with it. If you don't mind spending a little more to say that you got a marginally better intake, go with the Air Gap. There's also the issue of looks. I think the Air Gap looks sexy, but then again I'm easily turned on.

 

I think the Air Gap is 1/2" taller than the Vic Jr. I have the Vic Jr With a 4" K&N and 1" phenolic spacer that goes into the cowl hood by about 3/8". Next step will be thew Air Gap with a 1/2" spacer and 3" K & N after the motor comes out.

 

I just had to get a flat base air cleaner base and the other person before me put a 3 inch spacer between the carb and air cleaner to fit the gas line on the Edelbrock carb. So I do not want a taller intake than the Edelbrock Torker I have on it now. So a plain Edelbrock RPD intake will fit under my cowl hood. If that is so, then I will get it on its way. Thanks, Jerod

 

Also what type of carb opening, I have a 650 Edelbrock, is it square bore. Thanks, Jerod

 

I love the "sleeper" look, and the air-gap and torker scream "not-original."

I would use the performer rpm and even grind off the "edelbrock" and paint it orange...... :yes: Devious ain't I?

My engine will be a 496 with "396-325 HP" badges.
It's just more fun that way for me.

 

Yes the 650 Edelbrock is square bore. The video Steiner posted above is pretty interesting if you haven't watched it. Machining the divider is a pretty cool trick. As he stated in his post both are the same height (I stand corrected).

 

Another thing to consider are the outside temps. I live in the northeast and my car will come out in 30-40 degree temps in the fall and spring if the roads are clear. I went with the regular rpm on my 69 because of that. I don't know if the air gap would cause driveability issues in the colder temps. It might not cause any issues, just something to consider. I have one on my small block with drop base 3 inch air cleaner with a flat hood. No issues at all.

 

Drivability can be an issue even in warmer or average temps . With an air gap style manifold there can be some loss of street manners as it is a "cold" design plenum versus the "warm" design of say a Performer or similar.

While we try to keep as much heat away from the carburetor some heat actually aids in the drivability area as it contributes to the atomization of the fuel at lower rpms. With an air gap cold design the fuel can form back into small droplets at lower air speeds.

 

I have mounts with Energy Suspension Urethane. RPM Air Gap and a 1" phenolic spacer. Speed Demon 650. No way you can fit it under stock hood. Cowl induction hood? perhaps, but never under stock hood. The choke linkage prevents using a drop-base cleaner.

 

The choke linkage prevents using a drop-base cleaner.

Our part number 786001 is a 14x3 performance filter that has about 1 3/4 of drop in the base and works with the choke linkage.

 

I had the drop base on a 750DP and a 750VS (both had chokes) with no issue...also the have the poly mounts... now the 1" spacer is a problem.

 

hmmm, mine is a 650VS and could not fit the base of the cleaner 'cause it would hit the linkage and causing the choke to stick when trying to open once the engine was warm.

 

Great! my solution was to cut up the hood and install a scoop, but I recently bought a carbon hood that I am a little reluctant to molest, and being able to use a drop base and keep the carbon hood unmolested would be great. I will take measurements and if I see it working, I will post pictures of the results. Customs charges 27% duty of everything I import, so I must be very careful with what I order/buy!!!