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HEMCO Machine Company, 36200 Mound Road, Sterling
Heights, MI, 48310 (810) 264-8911 donated one of their upper plenums as a prize
for the recent Norwalk event. I was fortunate enough to win the upper plenum as
part of the Quick-16 program. The owner of HEMCO Machine, Ralph Ascroft, was kind
enough to ship it overnight to me.
An examination of the piece indicated a radical new design as depicted in the photograph.
As Ralph states, the goal of the design was to improve the air flow distribution
to all cylinders, thus evening out the power generated from the engine. This is
accomplished by changing the air flow path into the manifold by means of a physical
design change. The new design incorporates a 90 degree turn with a narrow opening
into the intake manifold. As Ralph stated, "This design makes the intake manifold
think a throttle body is sitting directly on top of it." Ralph also claims
his efforts were justified on both a flowbench and on an engine dyno., although
I did not have the results.
All of this sounds interesting, but the proof is in the performance, so off to the
drag strip I went. The baseline performance was with the "stock" upper
plenum installed. I say "stock" meaning that the previous owner had reshaped
the interior of the plenum in order to gain better flow and distribution, but no
flow bench or dyno. data were available for these modifications.
The results of the three baseline runs are given below:
RUN 1: 9.63 seconds at 144 mph w/ a max. EGT of 1580 deg. F
RUN 2: 9.58 seconds at 145 mph w/ a max. EGT of 1598 deg. F
RUN 3: 9.68 seconds at 144 mph w/ a max. EGT of 1572 deg. F
The next set of runs were made on the same day with the only change being the HEMCO
upper plenum. As was the case with the baseline runs (RUNS 1-3), the launch was
at 15 psi. with a maximum boost level limited to 24 psi. The results with the plenum
change are given below:
RUN 4: 9.51 seconds at 145 mph w/ a max. EGT of 1606 deg. F
RUN 5: 9.47 seconds at 145 mph w/ a max. EGT of 1600 deg. F
RUN 6: 9.45 seconds at 147 mph w/ a max. EGT of 1610 deg. F
The data indicates that the HEMCO upper plenum did increase the performance
of my car. In reviewing the data It is more important to evaluate the performance
increase based on the trap speed since the elapsed time can be affected by many
variables, whereas the trap speed can be directly related to the engine power output
with common mathematical formulae. As the data indicates, the HEMCO upper
plenum increased the trap speed by approximately 1.4 mph on an average of three
runs.
It should also be noted that my original upper plenum had been modified to increase
its performance, hence, if compared to a completely stock upper plenum, the gain
in performance would probably be more pronounced. Overall, it appears that the HEMCO
upper plenum would be a welcome addition to any motor with more benefits realized
with a greater amount of engine modifications. If you are in the market for an upgraded
upper plenum, then you should call Ralph at HEMCO for some additional information.
The plenum accommodates the stock throttle bracket via a special bolt which is supplied.
All other bolts and studs required for installation are also included.
The upper plenum's price is $229.95 (+shipping). It is available in 58mm and 62mm
versions.
P/N V6PK158 for the 58mm version
P/N V6PK162 for the 62mm version
It can be purchased directly from Hemco Machine, Inc. (See addressed and phone numbers
above) or through the following distributors:
White Racing & Marine
12820 E. Nine Mile Rd.
Warren, MI 48093
Phone: (810) 756-3026
Fax:(810)756-8350
Visit White Racing & Marine
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