Dyno Test: Pray Ported OEM vs PP MSD Intake Manifold

NA18CamaroSS · 06-27-2020, 02:37 PM

The test mule is a 2018 Camaro 2SS 1LE. Basic modifications are a flex fuel sensor, Roto-Fab dry CAI intake, Soler Performance ported 95 MM throttle body, New Era Performance cat delete pipes and a tune. The intake manifolds tested are an OEM intake manifold ported by Pray Performance and an MSD LT1 Airforce intake manifold, also ported by Pray Performance. The car was tuned at Church Automotive( http://churchautotesting.com/ ) with all of the mods listed + the ported OEM intake manifold. On April 23 of this year we took the car to Superior Automotive's Dynojet to see where the car was with the tune-it made 464 HP and 468 torque.
We installed the Pray Ported MSD intake manifold in early June. We took the car to Natural Aspirations( http://www.naturalaspirations.com/ )and dialed in the air/fuel for the new intake manifold. Today we returned to Superior Automotive to compare the results. As you can see by the graph, the Pray Ported OEM intake manifold is slightly better below 5,000 RPM, with a significant advantage right at 4,000 RPM. Above 5,000 RPM the MSD is better, posting a gain in peak HP of about 15 HP, but a whopping 33 HP gain at 6,500 RPM. For reference, we baselined this car bone stock on 91 octane pump gas July 31, 2019 at Superior and it made 403 HP and 404 torque. Is it worth $1500 for 15 peak HP? You decide.

Pray did the same test a couple of years back and the results are comparable : https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=494652

Redlinez · 06-27-2020, 03:50 PM

I would say that's a significant difference when shifting at 6600-6700 or so rpms. Stock is done around 5700. Thanks for the post.

ThirstyDave · 06-28-2020, 01:59 AM

I think it's definitely worth it especially considering you're able to get more power in the higher rpms. People are paying the same amount if not more for kooks and American racing headers and x pipe to roughly make the same 15 peak horsepower. If you decide to do heads and cam there's going to be even more power disparity between manifolds.

s346k · 06-28-2020, 06:12 AM

good info. who ported the msd?

Redlinez · 06-28-2020, 07:08 AM

Sounds like cat delete pipes might be comparable to catted longtubes (the only way I'll do).

RobbyBeefcake87 · 06-28-2020, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NA18CamaroSS

The test mule is a 2018 Camaro 2SS 1LE. Basic modifications are a flex fuel sensor, Roto-Fab dry CAI intake, Soler Performance ported 95 MM throttle body, New Era Performance cat delete pipes and a tune. The intake manifolds tested are an OEM intake manifold ported by Pray Performance and an MSD LT1 Airforce intake manifold, also ported by Pray Performance. The car was tuned at Church Automotive( http://churchautotesting.com/ ) with all of the mods listed + the ported OEM intake manifold. On April 23 of this year we took the car to Superior Automotive's Dynojet to see where the car was with the tune-it made 464 HP and 468 torque.
We installed the Pray Ported MSD intake manifold in early June. We took the car to Natural Aspirations( http://www.naturalaspirations.com/ )and dialed in the air/fuel for the new intake manifold. Today we returned to Superior Automotive to compare the results. As you can see by the graph, the Pray Ported OEM intake manifold is slightly better below 5,000 RPM, with a significant advantage right at 4,000 RPM. Above 5,000 RPM the MSD is better, posting a gain in peak HP of about 15 HP, but a whopping 33 HP gain at 6,500 RPM. For reference, we baselined this car bone stock on 91 octane pump gas July 31, 2019 at Superior and it made 403 HP and 404 torque. Is it worth $1500 for 15 peak HP? You decide.

Pray did the same test a couple of years back and the results are comparable : https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=494652

What % of E were the ported oem IM and ported MSD IM done on?

NA18CamaroSS · 06-28-2020, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobbyBeefcake87

What % of E were the ported oem IM and ported MSD IM done on?

I am getting E80 at my local pump.

oldman · 06-28-2020, 07:25 PM

wow factory headers.

wnta1ss · 06-29-2020, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redlinez

I would say that's a significant difference when shifting at 6600-6700 or so rpms. Stock is done around 5700. Thanks for the post.

Agree with this, try shifting around that rpm zone to get the most out of your improvement. I have an MSD on my SS too, and try to shift in that area.

KILLA BEE · 06-29-2020, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s346k

good info. who ported the msd?

No need to port. Imo. Ur only gonna get maybe 10 extra hp MAX not worth all THAT money to me.. It pulls hard as hell top end regardless its a beast

oldman · 06-29-2020, 06:36 PM

super easy to port the MSD, that said there is a seam just before the flange to the head. I would like to fill it and smooth it with something? Two part epoxy? JB weld for plastic? dunno. Anybody done it?

s346k · 06-29-2020, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KILLA BEE

No need to port. Imo. Ur only gonna get maybe 10 extra hp MAX not worth all THAT money to me.. It pulls hard as hell top end regardless its a beast

perhaps we share a difference of opinion. if one is going to spend the $1k+ on a high performance intake manifold, spending an additional $300? on porting and matching is not only beneficial but also necessary. otherwise, leave the stock stuff on it. i’m not an 85%er. ill do it right or not do it at all.

kropscamaro16 · 06-29-2020, 06:45 PM

nice build and write up and i know the guy that runs natural inspirations mostly a honda/import guy i believe but cool to see him help with some gm stuff also!

NA18CamaroSS · 06-29-2020, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kropscamaro16

nice build and write up and i know the guy that runs natural inspirations mostly a honda/import guy i believe but cool to see him help with some gm stuff also!

I used to work with his dad at Harbor City Honda, back in the day. I tuned the car, Chris provided the dyno.

06-27-2020, 02:37 PM	#1
NA18CamaroSS Drives: 2018 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS 1LE 6M Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: California Posts: 283 View My Garage	Dyno Test: Pray Ported OEM vs PP MSD Intake Manifold The test mule is a 2018 Camaro 2SS 1LE. Basic modifications are a flex fuel sensor, Roto-Fab dry CAI intake, Soler Performance ported 95 MM throttle body, New Era Performance cat delete pipes and a tune. The intake manifolds tested are an OEM intake manifold ported by Pray Performance and an MSD LT1 Airforce intake manifold, also ported by Pray Performance. The car was tuned at Church Automotive( http://churchautotesting.com/ ) with all of the mods listed + the ported OEM intake manifold. On April 23 of this year we took the car to Superior Automotive's Dynojet to see where the car was with the tune-it made 464 HP and 468 torque. We installed the Pray Ported MSD intake manifold in early June. We took the car to Natural Aspirations( http://www.naturalaspirations.com/ )and dialed in the air/fuel for the new intake manifold. Today we returned to Superior Automotive to compare the results. As you can see by the graph, the Pray Ported OEM intake manifold is slightly better below 5,000 RPM, with a significant advantage right at 4,000 RPM. Above 5,000 RPM the MSD is better, posting a gain in peak HP of about 15 HP, but a whopping 33 HP gain at 6,500 RPM. For reference, we baselined this car bone stock on 91 octane pump gas July 31, 2019 at Superior and it made 403 HP and 404 torque. Is it worth $1500 for 15 peak HP? You decide. Pray did the same test a couple of years back and the results are comparable : https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=494652 Attached Images __________________ Bolt-ons. Last edited by NA18CamaroSS; 06-27-2020 at 03:57 PM. Reason: Link

06-27-2020, 03:50 PM	#2
Redlinez Shifts under load Drives: 2020 Camaro 1SS 1LE rally green Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Fuquay-Varina, NC Posts: 1,295	I would say that's a significant difference when shifting at 6600-6700 or so rpms. Stock is done around 5700. Thanks for the post. __________________ 24 Audi S3 prem plus, sport package HPDE - southeast - JTI- solo, PCA- blue. 22 Suzuki GSX-S 1000GT blue

06-28-2020, 06:12 AM	#4
s346k Drives: like an old lady Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: indiana Posts: 2,395	good info. who ported the msd? __________________ 2016+ camaro: everyone’s first car

06-28-2020, 07:08 AM	#5
Redlinez Shifts under load Drives: 2020 Camaro 1SS 1LE rally green Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Fuquay-Varina, NC Posts: 1,295	Sounds like cat delete pipes might be comparable to catted longtubes (the only way I'll do). __________________ 24 Audi S3 prem plus, sport package HPDE - southeast - JTI- solo, PCA- blue. 22 Suzuki GSX-S 1000GT blue

06-28-2020, 07:25 PM	#8
oldman Drives: SS 6 speed of course Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Hilo, HI Posts: 4,316	wow factory headers. __________________ Forged short block, large duration sub .600 lift Cam Motion cam, 7200 RPM fuel cut, Pray Ported Heads, 3.85 pulley D1X, stage II intercooler, DSX secondary low side, DSX E85 sensor, Lingenfelter big bore 2.0 pump, ported front cats, 60608 Borla, LT4 injectors, ZL1 1LE driveshaft and Katech ported TB, ported MSD intake, BTR valvetrain, ARP studs, ProFlow valves, PS4 tires.

06-28-2020, 01:59 AM	#3
ThirstyDave Drives: 2017 Camaro 2SS 50th Anniversary Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: 408 Bay Area Posts: 81	I think it's definitely worth it especially considering you're able to get more power in the higher rpms. People are paying the same amount if not more for kooks and American racing headers and x pipe to roughly make the same 15 peak horsepower. If you decide to do heads and cam there's going to be even more power disparity between manifolds.

06-29-2020, 06:36 PM	#11
oldman Drives: SS 6 speed of course Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Hilo, HI Posts: 4,316	super easy to port the MSD, that said there is a seam just before the flange to the head. I would like to fill it and smooth it with something? Two part epoxy? JB weld for plastic? dunno. Anybody done it? __________________ Forged short block, large duration sub .600 lift Cam Motion cam, 7200 RPM fuel cut, Pray Ported Heads, 3.85 pulley D1X, stage II intercooler, DSX secondary low side, DSX E85 sensor, Lingenfelter big bore 2.0 pump, ported front cats, 60608 Borla, LT4 injectors, ZL1 1LE driveshaft and Katech ported TB, ported MSD intake, BTR valvetrain, ARP studs, ProFlow valves, PS4 tires.

06-29-2020, 06:45 PM	#13
kropscamaro16 Drives: 2016 1ss camaro Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: 909 Posts: 9,812	nice build and write up and i know the guy that runs natural inspirations mostly a honda/import guy i believe but cool to see him help with some gm stuff also! __________________ 16 1SS NIGHTFALL GRAY METALLIC WITH NPP #BECAUSERACECAR #SAVETHEMANUALS

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