It’s not often a singular car part becomes an icon of its own accord, but the twin throttle body intake manifold used on Group A-spec Walkinshaw VL and VN Holden V8s have become the cream of the crop for early Commodore lovers.

As such, original manifolds can easily fetch five figure sums on the used market, and the reality is they don’t perform that well in this day and age. So, Jon Grove at Jon Grove Engines has taken it upon himself to make his own version, but with a bunch of modern tech to make it perform in the 21st century.

“The Group A manifold we’re currently designing is an evolution from our Group A manifold we designed to suit LS engines, using the same top section but with a whole new lower half to fit the VN-style Holden V8 cylinder head,” says Jon.

One of the major design features of this manifold is the long eight inch runners, which also has twin injector locations to allow for a total of 16 injectors to be used,” says Jon. “Giving the option of two sets of injectors not only means more fuel flow, but the option to run dual-fuel setups for ethanol or methanol, ideal for drag and drive events like Drag Challenge.”

As for the signature twin throttle body that makes the Group A manifold so iconic, Jon has worked his magic there as well. “It’s currently set up to run twin 82mm Bosch drive-by-wire throttle bodies, and we are also developing an adapter to be able to fit a cable throttle body as well,” he says.

The bolt pattern Jon has used to connect the upper and lower sections of the manifold has been based around the Holley-style LS pattern, meaning if customers choose, then can buy the lower section of runners that suit their Holden V8, and use the top section with the LS pattern to open up a whole new world of LS aftermarket options not normally suited to the iron lion. 

“This opens the door for the Holden V8 users to adopt LS-market lids and products, making shopping for lid, intercooler and nitrous kits a whole lot easier,” he says.

“The fuel rail mount location has been designed so that the standard billet LS Holley fuel rails will fit, or you can use our own billet fuel rails. We have added multiple port fittings in the back of the manifold including the fitment of dual temperature and pressure sensors.”

Jon Grove Engines have also developed their own 3D printed plastic inlet tube that adapts the throttle bodies to a Wiggins-style clamp 3.5in hose end for naturally aspirated applications, and the fuel rail design allows for fitment of the standard thermostat location.

This all sounds great, so of course, you’re asking when and how much?

“We would like to cast these in Australia, so the cost will depend on the amount of pre-orders, this is due to the type of casting moulds used versus the number being produced,” says Jon. “Our current LS configuration that is being tested using short run casting methods means the manifold is roughly $9000, depending on the items added.”

If you’re keen to find out more, you can jump on their Facebook page or head to jgengines.com

For those chasing a true replica of the manifolds, another business MR TTB / Twin Throttle Body Performance has taken it upon themselves to cast replica reproductions.

At roughly $10,000 for a complete kit it may sound dear, but we suggest not looking up the prices of original units from the period if that price scares easily. Whichever suits your needs, it’s great to see Aussie businesses keeping the manufacturing spirit well and truly alive on our shores.