Merlin Intake
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I was told that it may be a little better than the Dart in the typical marine rpm range. Has anyone done any back to back Dyno testing?
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I dyno'ed the Merlin back to back with the Brodix HV 2001. Both were port matched and balanced at Wilson Manifolds. Both were the same at the top and the mid-range was stronger on the Merlin. Pre-dyno testing, Wilson's comments was we were going to like the Merlin better in the boat...we do! Very strong on acceleration.
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I dyno'ed the Merlin back to back with the Brodix HV 2001. Both were port matched and balanced at Wilson Manifolds. Both were the same at the top and the mid-range was stronger on the Merlin. Pre-dyno testing, Wilson's comments was we were going to like the Merlin better in the boat...we do! Very strong on acceleration.
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I haven't done any recent work on a Dart single plane intake. Many of the old A & B Class racers used the Brodix HV2001. Most of my $ & time was spent with polishing on this manifold. I expect the Dart performance would be similar to both the Merlin and Brodix. Wilson's comments were the Brodix was too big. Like intake runners on cylinder heads, big generally means lazy, especially in the mid range in a marine application.
The Merlin has two basic advantages. It is smaller than the Brodix and provides more mid-range torque and the has the brass water jackets....hugh to me. Wilson's is a good place to go if you want to convert a $400 manifold into a $1500 one![Big Grin](/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Both these manifolds are way big at the port for most heads with a 308-325 cc intake runners. The port match work can be significant if you want them welded-up to maximize performance.
One other tip, best dyno results for my combination was a 1" carb spacer on the Brodix and 1.5" on the Merlin. HVH and Wilson both offer good spacers.
If anybody is interested, I also have a reworked Brodix HV 2001 port matched to a pair of Dart IE's 308's ported to 320cc by Sonny Leonard.
The Merlin has two basic advantages. It is smaller than the Brodix and provides more mid-range torque and the has the brass water jackets....hugh to me. Wilson's is a good place to go if you want to convert a $400 manifold into a $1500 one
![Big Grin](/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Both these manifolds are way big at the port for most heads with a 308-325 cc intake runners. The port match work can be significant if you want them welded-up to maximize performance.
One other tip, best dyno results for my combination was a 1" carb spacer on the Brodix and 1.5" on the Merlin. HVH and Wilson both offer good spacers.
If anybody is interested, I also have a reworked Brodix HV 2001 port matched to a pair of Dart IE's 308's ported to 320cc by Sonny Leonard.