496 Flame Arrestor
 

Guys,

So my tuner is telling me the stock 496 FA, that has been refitted to the intake on my ProCharger, is probably robbing me of HP or RPM, or both. So I’m looking at it…..

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...cbbedc307.jpeg
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Truthfully, I seriously doubt the FA is doing anything toward its purpose. I can’t imagine a flame front is ever going to reach that far, in the event of a backfire, given the intake tract the ProCharger kit has, and I’d say the intercooler would probably serve the FA purpose just as well (it might well get wrecked in the process, but that’s gonna happen anyway). I’m tempted to make an open bellmouth, like the drag guys use, but I would kinda like the idea of at least a birdcatcher kinda thing, and there’s always the USCG regulation thing. So….

It looks like there’s at least three layers of screen, if not four. I’m thinking I could remove all but one, retain the cosmetic appearance of a FA, still prevent a solid object ingestion, and allow for WAY more flow. Thoughts? Has anybody taken one of these apart?

Thanks. Brad.

Any chance of getting it on a dyno and make a pass with, and without the FA? No guessing involved.

There is an old thread in here somewhere where Smitty articfriends pulled a 502MPI one apart and dyno'd the difference. I don't remember the results and it's for a different app so may not be relevant but may give you some type of insight.

Xlint,

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...42fc6dd2e.jpeg
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Little late for that. Besides…. Without a dyno specifically set up for closed cooling (consumed water), it’s nearly impossible to do a dyno pull. We could potentially just do a with/without empirical test. But, I can tell you, without a doubt, without some sort of bellmouth, the “without” flow will be worse than with the FA.

Thanks. Brad.

Dave,

I’ll give Smitty a shout.

Thanks. Brad.

on most carb FA's the finer screens get removed and they only use the single outer screen on performance builds. I dont know the difference in flame arresting or performance but just that most of the builds I have run across many had the screens removed and just kept the one for looks and to keep big stuff out.

Comped,

That’s kinda what I had in mind. Just gotta get it apart without wrecking it.

Thanks. Brad.

This ! ^^^
He found a bellmouth that added good power. Do a search, if can’t find, contact him. He’s a good dude !

Guys,

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...0dbc23207.jpeg
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Letting the silicone set up.

Pretty much nothing but a bird catcher now. Should flow a LOT better.

Thanks. Brad.

I was just going to suggest "thinning" out the mesh. It's been talked about on here before.