Offenhauser Cross Ram Manifold

[PA-IndianRider]

<ast weekend when I was at the Parts-a-Rama Swap Meet in Butler, Pa there was a seller who had a LARGE collection of "INTAKE" manifolds for sale. Must have been over 100 of 'em.

In the middle of this collection was an OFFENHAUSER CROSS RAM MANIFOLD. I have always thought these this were awesome looking.... but do NOT know much about how they work on the street/strip????

I'd be happy just to have it "hanging" on my shop wall.... but as most of you already know I am building "60's gasser" look C10..... can't help but wonder how this manifold would LOOK (and run) on top of our SB Stroker motor???

I already have a brand new Edelbrock RPM Air Gap for this build which I read is a very strong performing manifold for a single carb manifold.

The swap meet price for the Cross Ram was $325.... making it too pricey just to "hang on the shop wall"..... I'm a sucker for the "old stuff" Imagine flipping open the one piece fiberglass tilt fronend and seeing that crossram sitting there in all of it's "shinning nostalgic glory"

[LONGHAIR]

It's a hi RPM thing. You would really have to build your engine combination around it....and you may still be "giving away" a little. If you really want it for the wow factor, it could be made to work, maybe not optimal, but cool.

[PA-IndianRider]

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

It's a hi RPM thing. You would really have to build your engine combination around it....and you may still be "giving away" a little. If you really want it for the wow factor, it could be made to work, maybe not optimal, but cool.

That's the "sense" I haave about this thing.... possibly "stored" in my memory bank from "days gone by". If I could pick up one for a resonable price I probably would .... it looks kool just sitting there.

[cdowns]

i fooled around with them in the late 60's early 70's/// a very high rpm nonstreetable unit they never really start working till you get up around 6-7thousand rpm and above and you tune it in the morning and it needs to be retuned at night// a much better but still real marginal for the street was the low profile weind crossram// the wall is the perfect place for them tho

[CAL 58 GMC]

NICE FIND!!! Those Offy manafolds are hard to find. I know a guy that running one in his 55 Chevy wagon. He has two 500 cfm Edelbrock carbs. He drive it on both the streets around town and on the highway with know problems. He had to run vacum lines from both sides into one to keep it from loading up. I notice someone has already installed the nipple fittings on the back of yours. Just make sure if you go with a electric chock, just have it one of thr carbs only.

[Pyrotechnic]

This looks a lot different than the box style Z/28 manifold. Actually looks better to me. The runner length actually looks quite long, probably just as good as some dual planes out there.

[regan wilson]

You know instead of hanging it on the wall you could take a junk block and heads and paint it up real nice . Put 2 old carbs on it and have a really cool conversation piece in your shop .

[Pyrotechnic]

While on the topic, I was cruising ebay...check this out....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SBC-C...m270248882160&

They took one of the 82-84 Crossfire injection intake manifolds, made a cover to mount dual 4 barrels on it, and are trying to pass it off as cross ram manifold. I hope someone unknowing doesn't end up buying that because they will be very disappointed. If it wasn't for those extremely small ports, that might actually work.

[PA-IndianRider]

Originally Posted by regan wilson

You know instead of hanging it on the wall you could take a junk block and heads and paint it up real nice . Put 2 old carbs on it and have a really cool conversation piece in your shop .

Hey Regan you're reading my mind.... I have been looking for a mock up engine (one of those plastic ones) and after I'm done with it (if that day ever comes) I thought I'd dress it up with a nice set of valve covers, oil pan, multiple carb setup, etc and display it in the shop.... got lots of other cool old stuff hanging in the workshop already..... both motorcycle & car stuff.... It's an addiction...ha

[PA-IndianRider]

Originally Posted by Pyrotechnic

This looks a lot different than the box style Z/28 manifold. Actually looks better to me. The runner length actually looks quite long, probably just as good as some dual planes out there.

After doing some checking into these manifolds I found that Offenhauser is STILL MAKING them!!!

No doubt these Offy manifolds & the factory cross rams are some of the coolest looking manifolds ever made.... ranking up there with the cross ram manifolds found on the early 60's Mopar big blocks (413) ....ahhhhhh those where the days!!!! ...... or at least I think so!!!! HA!!!!

[Pyrotechnic]

Where can you buy one and whats the part number ?

[PA-IndianRider]

Originally Posted by Pyrotechnic

Where can you buy one and whats the part number ?

Like me, most people think the Offy Cross Ram manifolds are no longer available. I think this comes from the fact that the Chevy produced Z28 manifold is no longer made.

There is a LOTof info to be found online about the Offy Cross ram everything from suppliers (Summit, Jegs, etc) to performance results, tuning tips, forum thread posts, etc

Here's a few pictures from the SUMMIT Catalog..... Note: Offenhauser manifolds are sold as "bases" & "tops" ..... pricey too.....

[ncl]

My father just last night was talking to me about this manifold. he had one on a 427 truck block that he built up and installed in a 70 nova. He said he if he built another hot rod it would have to that combo cause he said none of his other muscle cars that he built back in the day could match it. He said the sound of it would make your heart skip a beat but he did run open headers so that could contribute towards it. So now I am on the search so he ahs to build opne again

[Alex1]

I just got rid of a Edelbrock cross ram for a BBC with linkage for like $300- it was MINT!

[royo]

Originally Posted by Alex1

I just got rid of a Edelbrock cross ram for a BBC with linkage for like $300- it was MINT!

Man as allways daylatedollarshort

[CAL 58 GMC]

Okay so I know I'm bring this post up from the grave but I had to post my Offenhausher cross ram intake I bought about a year ago that I'm now installing on my 66 Chevelle.

[jjzepplin]

Oh how I would like to hear that running!

[bobshotrodblazer]

Have a Edelbrock crossram on my LS6 crate 454..in my 67 Chevelle. Definitely get the looks.