I'm no guru by any means. I'm sure the HPI is better quality per say, but I've seen many run the SE set-up without issues.

I went with the SE throttle body and SE injectors instead of a HPI set-up. I spent approx $600 on the SE set-up (to include having the SE manifold ported/polished) vs approx $1k on a HPI set-up.

If you go with the SE throttle body/manifold, get the manifold ported/polished...should be about $100. I'm doing an M8 124" build. Currently waiting to get it dyno'd/tuned, should be doing that in the next couple of weeks.

 

I have the SE unit and like it. I can't speak to the aftermarket stuff. I figure the SE electronics are proven so there are no issues there. The rest is mechanical and comes down to bore size and intake finish (polished, etc.) For the difference in price for the aftermarket you'd better be getting something special. HP/TQ-wise, I'd be amazed if the extra $$$ buys any significant difference. Save your cash, buy more mods.

 

 

If you don't have CNC-ported heads you really don't need the larger TB. What is your full setup?

 

I can't give any definitive information on the M8 SE throttle body. I do know that with the TwinCams, the SE throttle bodies had some play in the shaft on the butterfly that made tuning tricky at low rpms and idle. I haven't had my hands on an M8 SE tb so I don't know if the problem persists with them. There is a pretty significant price difference between the SE and HPI throttle bodies, so that could be a deciding factor also. I have been told the 5.5 SE injectors are just fine though, so no need to go with custom injectors unless you are doing a huge ci build and don't feel the 5.5's will be sufficient.

 

 

Oh yes, now I remember reading about your build. Carry on

 

 

I'm running a 17 RG 114 with an aftermarket cam and stock heads, added the SE TB and 5.5 inj's and picked up 4 tq and 4 hp all the way from idle across the rpm band. I did not get the manifold ported or polished.