Standard vs offset IDF/DRLA manifolds

[hotrodsurplus]

The only manifolds I ran with IDFs and DRLAs were the offset type(Claude's Buggies). They fit well and required only a tiny notch to clear the filter base on one side. Going by memory the 1/2 manifold wasn't exactly fun to remove but I made do.

I recently stumbled into a great deal on a pair of DRLAs. I have a pair of standard (non-offset) manifolds, the clones of the EMPI manifolds of yore that have both the Solex PII pattern and the IDF/DRLA. Being the tightwad that I am, I was planning on running them.

But I'm open to suggestions. What manifolds work best for you? And why do you like them? I don't give a rat's ass about looks. I care a lot about serviceability (plug access, manifold-nut access, etc).

[javabug]

I do believe I am running the Claude's style offsets with my 48 DRLAs. No complaints from me and I have not touched any bodywork on my '67 for clearance.

Serviceability was a pain until I figured out the right combo of tools/fasteners — 1/4" ratchet and various extensions, with a Craftsman universal 3/8" socket (looks like a u-joint but has the socket as part of the end). Combined with the M8/.375" copper nuts that Aircooled.net sells, I can have the carb/manifold assemblies off the car in about ten minutes.

http://cal-look.no/lounge/index.php/topic,8128.0.html

[John Rayburn]

You're going to be REAL sorry, one day, that you ran copper nuts on the manifolds. Magnets don't work on them.

[javabug]

I think about that every time I undo them.

[hotrodsurplus]

Thanks, Mike, for the input. I'm going to keep an eye open for a set of offsets just in case. I'm inclined to run the straights for a more period look but I'll be running Dells anyway so I guess it's probably a moot point.

Regarding manifold fasteners...in 1992 I 'lost' one of those 8-32 wing nuts that fasten the filter tops. I realized what I'd done not when I fired the engine but when i blipped the throttle sufficiently to let the nut past the butterfly. It was a loud, expensive learning experience, one in a long proud line.

[youngnstudly]

I have the CB Big Beef manifolds installed with my 48 IDF's and they are pretty easy to work plugs and manifolds nuts off with. The big issue is air cleaner clearance with the base and the car body. I don't know how tall your's are, but my CB Big Beefs are like 6-5/8" tall or possibly 6-3/4" tall.

I have dropped those damn copper tubing sleeves down the intake ports that head porters press into the manifold stud holes (to align the manifolds and heads perfectly so the match port lines up). I have since taken a piece of sheet metal and used it to block the ports once I get the manifolds up about a 1/2" off the head.

Andy

[hotrodsurplus]

I don't know how tall your's are, but my CB Big Beefs are like 6-5/8" tall or possibly 6-3/4" tall.

I just measured mine. They're either 5" or 5.25" tall depending on how you measure them. 

I'm sort of back to square one, though. Some dope ported ONE manifold. It's just a round port and it's not radical but it's also not likely going to match what I'll do to my heads. Then again, maybe it will be fine. I sort of like these manifolds, though. I can get an almost perfectly straight shot to the base nuts with a long 1/4" extension and a wobbly on a jet nut.

[Udo]

I would recomend mine    They have a big flansh and there is not much work when porting, I also offer them with a standart size flansh .
I do not like those that have different length on one manifold , and the longer ones.
Udo

[fredy66]

nice

[hotrodsurplus]

I would recomend mine  

Ooh...huere schön. How much? 

[youngnstudly]

I would recomend mine    They have a big flansh and there is not much work when porting, I also offer them with a standart size flansh .
I do not like those that have different length on one manifold , and the longer ones.
Udo

Now those are SWEET! I like the thick flanges on each end, plus they just look heavy duty overall. I hate wimpy (thin) cast manifolds!

Andy

[javabug]

Yeah, Udo's pieces look killer. Wish they were around when I had my heads done (or I had known about them).

[youngnstudly]

Yeah, Udo's pieces look killer. Wish they were around when I had my heads done (or I had known about them).

X2!!!

[pupjoint]

on Udo's straight manifolds, i would need the CB non offset linkage top base right?

right now i have the CB offset and linkage set.

[Udo]

Price is 180 euros. They have big diameters on the inside so they are easy to port , avaliable in 40 or 48 mm . The 40 are every easy to port to 44 .
You can use the csp linkage , may be the cb also

Udo

[Torben Alstrup]

Udo´s are nice, and short. Good for higher rpm engines.
The CB off set manifolds nice too. In fact my favourite for street engines due to the fact that they are off set, so the carbs sits nicer in the engine compartment.
The intake runners are like Udo stated slightly uneven. But again for street engines it is a minor thing.
I remember a US head porter did some flow tests on the off set versus the big beef manifolds some time back. I think it was Kawel. Anyway they used a big valve head as test animal, and found that the big beef outflowed the off set by what equalled 5 hp on the dyno. It was on a 200ish hp engine.
So if youre "up there" it is better to opt for straight manifolds.

T