Thread: Performer vs RPM?

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What's the real difference between a Performer and a Performer RPM on a street driven 390 Mercury? I got a free Performer and read nothing good about them. Are they better than a stock 4bbl intake, or just lighter?

I don't know the difference, but I ran a Performer with a 600 Holley and headers on the 72 F100 I had and it ran quite well. My only problem was that I could never get it warm enough in the winter time to keep from me freezing.

From Edelbrock, Performer:

Performer manifolds are dual-plane, low-rise intake manifolds with a 180° firing order and patented runner design that you won't find in other brands. This patented design greatly improves torque over a wide rpm range for excellent throttle response, especially off-idle through the mid-range.

And Performer RPM:

Performer RPMs are dual-plane, high-rise intakes with 180° firing order to produce incredible top-end horsepower while retaining good throttle response. Their larger plenums and runners match the free-flowing exhaust, high-lift cams and other modifications of a high output engine. They are intended for high-performance street or competition engines that run up to 6500 rpm. They are not for emissions equipped engines. Edelbrock's Performer RPM gives you the ultimate in street high-performance.

Several times it's been said on here that the Performer RPM doesn't really start flowing until it's above 3000rpm or so, and that it dogs in the low to mid range where most street rods are driven normally. I would think that the Performer manifold will be a good fit for your street driven 390, better flow than your stock manifold, and probably about half the weight, too. I'd run it for sure.

Its the fact that we can't separate these two characterists in carbed manifolds that makes the port injected efi so attractive---------

I have a performer on my 460 because it was a deal at the time(new/ never used on EBay for like 90 bucks) compared to buying a new Performer Rpm. I was intrigued that it works great with it's matched Edelbrock carb, and if you want, the cam too(not using cam). It is designed to increase torque as Roger stated and still retain good mileage. I believe they were designed for RV engines for more performance and power on the low end of the RPM scale verses at the high end also as Roger stated. I can't say enough positives about my Edelbrock setup as it works excellent out of the box and requires little to none in the tweaking department. I have yet to drive anywhere since my truck is still being put back together, but it does a nice job running in the driveway!

A stock 390 4V intake vs a preformer = Preformer wins. Flows better than stock, more responsive on takeoff. It would work well on street with stock 390. Change the heads, change the cam, change the carb and Preformer RPM will work better.

All depends what you use the 390 for. I had a screamer Merc Cyclone 390. When crossing a intersection long ago, a truck running a red light came at me broad side, I caught it out of the corner of my eye and tromped the little Merc. Today I have two fine daughters that could have died but did not all because that car would pull right off the bottom.

Well, it's going on a Marauder that weighs in at something over 2 tons, so bottom end torque is just what I need. The manifold was a freebie so it looks even better!