Tri-Power 427 fit under 69 SS hood?

[cam69aro]

very nice install, looks like it was checked off on the option list

[Kelley W King]

Well it stopped raining here so Saturday it snowed. But Sunday I did get the Camaro out to drive with the new tripower. It runs perfect until I put the 400 turbo in gear, then it does not like to idle. I suspect a vac leak but that setup has so many options. Think I will try the propane tank method. However it did drive and run excellent once off idle. The secondarys sound really good and actually pulled in rather quick I thought for vac units. I could not tell much on power since traction loss was pretty much immediate. The power brakes which really did not have enough vacuum before are worse. Driveable, but a hard pedal. I also think the hood insulation is touching the air cleaner, some double side tape on the air cleaner should show some fibers if so.

[bcmiller]

The tri-power and dual carb setups, even back to the late 50s and early 60s were never street friendly.

Generally if more cfm is needed, it’s just best to go to a larger 4 barrel.

[maroman]

True, but a four barrel doesn't look as cool.

[BULLITT65]

True, but a four barrel doesn't look as cool.

X2

[bcmiller]

I will take speed over looks ANY day.

[BULLITT65]

I guess it would depend on how much of a down side there was that came with the better looks.
The 69 Z/28 cross ram is a very cool looking set up. But I have read the reviews from back in the day, and seen guys try to make the most of the system today. For me (even if cost wasn't an issue) I would never run it on a street car. There is a performance boost from it, but would be very under utilized, and run crappy the rest of the time. No thanks.
On the other hand I have heard positive stories about tri-power vettes that were dialed in and ran great. It may take tinkering with them more often to get the most out of it, but it sounds like a fun set up. I don't know the performance numbers of a tri-power vs 4 barrel though to compare.

[Kelley W King]

It is kind of cool

[Kelley W King]

The performance is hard to gage because of traction with the 235 tires. Throttle response is crisp, the secondarys kick in well and sound good, it starts and runs well except idle in gear which I feel is a vacuum leak problem that I can cure. Once that is sorted out I will put a few miles on it.

[HawkX66]

I guess it would depend on how much of a down side there was that came with the better looks.
The 69 Z/28 cross ram is a very cool looking set up. But I have read the reviews from back in the day, and seen guys try to make the most of the system today. For me (even if cost wasn't an issue) I would never run it on a street car. There is a performance boost from it, but would be very under utilized, and run crappy the rest of the time. No thanks.
On the other hand I have heard positive stories about tri-power vettes that were dialed in and ran great. It may take tinkering with them more often to get the most out of it, but it sounds like a fun set up. I don't know the performance numbers of a tri-power vs 4 barrel though to compare.

Small blocks that have to wind to the moon versus big block 427s. I'd say Kelley is going to be more than good to go on both the cool factor as well as power.

[BULLITT65]

I would tend to agree.
I think he will sort it out and be happy with the results.

[bcmiller]

It is cool. No doubt.

But just about every multiple carb system I have had to deal with was really a PITA most of the time.  Except one 2 x 4 setup on a 460 Ford in a jet boat.  That thing was plain old nasty. 

Dyno results on a cross ram on a 302 Jerry tested didn’t show much improvement over a well tuned single Holley 4 barrel.

[69Z28-RS]

...
...
Dyno results on a cross ram on a 302 Jerry tested didn’t show much improvement over a well tuned single Holley 4 barrel.

I wouldn't put one on my car is an NOS one was given to me...   I turned down purchase of a NOS complete system for $1000 many years ago for that reason (even though they were selling for more than that)...

If a single carb 302 will run to 10,000 RPM, then what rpm would you need to be running to need MORE fuel??? 

PS.  I do think if one wanted to run multiple carbs, then a tripower (3 two's) arrangement is the best one; they've been made to run very well on many different cars...

[camaroboy68ss]

The tri-power and dual carb setups, even back to the late 50s and early 60s were never street friendly.

Generally if more cfm is needed, it’s just best to go to a larger 4 barrel.

For good street use of multi-carb setups the big keys are intake runner design and how the throttle linkage is setup. You need progressive linkage on them. Other than my 68 Camaro, every other classic car in both my grandfather and I's garages have multi-carb set ups ranging from dual quads to 6x2's. A good well set up tri power will run just as hard as a four barrel. Dual quads look great and work well, just right under a 4 barrel in performance. The 6x2s are just for looks mainly, they are on the show car, but they run really well.

[Kelley W King]

Finally got the Green Machine out to a cruise in. Turned a lot of heads, even the guy who had one in the past who was telling me how to adjust it. After 5 minutes he said ( yeah those 2 four barrels were a pain). Another guy just looked at me and smiled. Found my vac leaks, one at the brake booster hose and the other at the front 2 barrel. The throttle plate gaskets were kind if thin (the old ones were thicker) and the front throttle return linkage was touching the intake. Lifted the whole set to keep from loosening all the fuel lines and slid another set of gaskets in and magic it worked. Need to fabricate a good throttle linkage and choke rod and the job is done.