Edelbrock is a specialty performance automotive aftermarket parts manufacturer based out of Torrance, California. The company has three locations in Torrance that include their headquarters, distribution center, and a museum. Its foundry is in the city of San Jacinto, California.
Back in 1938 Vic Edelbrock founded the corporation when his desire to increase the performance of his 1932 Ford roadster led him to design a new intake manifold. His friends and fellow drivers also wanted one. This would transform his garage repair business into a parts manufacturing enterprise, making one-of-a-kind equipment for automobiles. In many ways, Vic Edelbrock helped to invent the automotive aftermarket parts industry.
Today, Edelbrock manufactures over 8,000 automotive parts for racers and hobbyists, as well as their continued quest for increased performance. When increasing the maximum performance in your ride, the first step is selecting the right manifold. Edelbrock has several styles of aluminum intake manifolds to fit different year, make, and model applications. Each style of manifold has certain characteristics that make it ideal for the application for which it’s intended.
Years of design and testing in the area of induction technology have given the Edelbrock team valuable insights into what characteristics work best under specific conditions. To have a look at their quality performance products, and check out how they are manufactured, the Lowrider staff drove out to the Edlebrock headquarters to go on a special tour given by our longtime good friends Smitty Smith and Eric Blakely. There we got to see their intake manifolds being cast at their ultramodern aluminum foundry and brought to life on computerized machining centers right before our eyes.
We have all known for quite a long time that Edelbrock is a great name and tradition in manufactured performance parts, but when you visit their plant, you become impressed by the pride and work ethic each employee has throughout the building, as they stand behind their product.
Besides our photographed coverage of the entire facility’s production of automotive parts, we chose to showcase Edelbrock’s intake manifolds as part of our special feature. So whether you’re building a daily driver, or a show stopping custom, when it comes to performance, the Edelbrock intake manifold will provide the power right where you want it and with the right look for your engine too, as they also come in four finish choices: black, Endurashine, polished, and satin). Here is a list of quality made-in-the-USA manifolds that will fit your needs.
From camshafts, carbs, and cylinder heads, right on through to the EFI and the E-Force superchargers, we walked the miles of aisles in amazement and ended the day with a visit to Vic Edelbrock’s garage, or as we saw it, the museum. We hope you enjoy the tour as well.
1 Performer
(Idle – 5,500 RPM)
Is a patented, dual-plane, low-rise intake manifold design that has a 180-degree firing order that greatly improves torque over a wide rpm range for excellent throttle response from off-idle through 5,500 rpm. The Performer Manifolds are ideal for passenger cars, trucks, 4x4s, and RVs. Fits AMC, Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, Olds, and Pontiac.
2 Performer Air-Gap
(Idle – 5,500 RPM)
This manifold offers the same performance-proven qualities of the Performer Series, but with the addition of Edelbrock’s patented Air-Gap. The Air-Gap design features an open air space that separates the runners from the hot engine oil for a cooler, denser charge for more power. Fits Chevrolet.
3 Performer RPM
(1,500 – 6,500 RPM)
A dual-plane, high-rise design with a 180-degree firing order that greatly produces incredible top-end horsepower, while retaining great throttle response. Their larger plenums and runners match high-lift cams, free-flowing exhausts, and other modifications of a high-output engine. Fits Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, Olds, and Pontiac.
4 The RPM Air-Gap
(1,500 – 6,500 RPM)
The RPM Air-Gap is said to offer a wide selection of multiple carburetor manifolds, or dual-quad designs. The all-new RPM Air-Gap dual-quads are the latest design, featuring an open air space that separates the runners from the hot engine oil for a cooler, denser charge for more power. Fits Chevrolet, Ford, and Olds.
5 Torker/Torker II
(2,500 – 6,500 RPM)
These single-plane, low-rise intake manifolds offer high-rpm street high-performance and a low-profile design on applications where hood clearance is limited. They will fit Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, Olds, and Pontiac too.
6 The Dual-Quad/ Multi Carb
Edelbrock offers a wide selection of multiple carburetor manifolds, or dual-quad designs. The all-new RPM Air-Gap dual-quads are the latest design, featuring an open air space that separates the runners from the hot engine oil for a cooler, denser charge for more power. Fits Chevy, Chrysler, Ford, and Pontiac.
7 Victor
(3,500 – 8,500+ RPM)
These single-plane, high-rise intakes designed for maximum race-winning power at higher engine speeds. Engineered in conjunction with leading engine builders and racers from all forms of competition, these intakes incorporate modern design with the latest racing technology. Victor manifolds are available for single or multiple-carburetor setups. Will also fit Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, Pontiac, and Olds.
8 Pro-Flo XT
(1,500 – 7,000 RPM)
The Pro-Flo XT intakes are engineered with a large plenum and long tapered runners to deliver maximum horsepower and broad torque throughout the rpm range. Aesthetics were also a major consideration in the design, offering car enthusiasts custom looks and a choice of satin, aluminum, or black finishes with contrast machining. Will fit Chevy and Chrysler.
From camshafts, carbs, and cylinder heads, right on through to the EFI and the E-Force superchargers, we walked the miles of aisles in amazement and ended the day with a visit to Vic Edelbrock’s garage, or as we saw it, the museum. We hope you enjoy the tour as well.
Monthly Tech Tip
By Axalta Coatings Systems
Plastic Fantastic
Let’s start off 2016 by introducing the right preparation and practice for all things plastic or rubber that need be painted on today’s vehicles. We need to ensure that we have the best adhesion and lasting longevity on plastics because they are always the first parts to go bad on a vehicle’s paintjob life. Axalta has a plastic cleaning paste product known as 2310 S. The process for using 2310 S to prepare new unprimed plastic parts is very simple. Step 1: prewash the plastic parts with warm water. Step 2: Use a gold 3M Scotch-Brite pad with Axalta’s 2310 S cleaning paste and prep it on thoroughly. Step 3: Rinse the plastic parts with warm water and make sure there is no dry residue left behind. Step 4: Be sure to dry the parts immediately following the rinse cycle to ensure there is no leftover dry residue. Step 5: Apply the Axalta adhesion promoter of choice, depending on regulated areas you are working with and let it flash for 20 to 30 minutes. The last step will be using the primer of your choice depending on regulated areas. If you are applying sealer, let it flash for 20 minutes, but do not wait longer than 45 minutes. From there, go ahead and apply the basecoat directly on top, no sanding is required. If you are priming it you must let it dry thoroughly, then prep the bumper with the right sandpaper and apply your basecoat to achieve good adhesion going forward.
For more technical advice please feel free to contact Axalta’s product specialist Steven Chaparro at steven.c.chaparro@axaltacs.com.
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