Inliners International Forums General Discussion Hi Performance New Intake 230-250-292

Here is the prototype. Also put this in the 12Bolt happenings, but nobody reads that.
The start of a new intake manifold. Designed to fit the GM car platforms ( ChevyII, Camaro, Chevelle ect). Should improve TQ and HP. This is a full size 3D printed part. It will be prepped to bolt on and test. If all goes well, then made in a cast aluminum part. As is this weighs 3 lbs in plastic. Longer runners, smaller than other intake port entry to increase velocity and matched floor to meet up with a head lump. Dreamed up by 12Bolt Tom and Mark Mincey

I read the 12Bolt happenings!

That intake looks really promising. I think the smaller runners will really help people like me who want to make as much torque as possible down low in the RPM range.

I'm sure you're already going to do this, but just in case: coat the insides and outsides of that manifold before testing. Use an epoxy type coating you would put inside a gas tank. Otherwise, the fuel from the carb will dissolve that thing.

Please keep us updated with this!

Sorry Tom! I missed the part where you mention you will be coating the manifold before testing... I need to slow down when I read stuff!

I ordered some gas tank sealant. Will apply inside and out. I have another worry. The plastic has a temp rating of 176 degrees. I can even run engine water temp thru it. Will put plenty of heat shielding on the exhaust to make it thru some testing.

Paint a test piece first and see if the sealer chemically melts the PLA? ABS?

I still think you are on the right track 3D printing a prototype like that. I get that the temps will be hard on it. Still, you should be able to make some great data collecting short runs with it. You could always set up with tools so you could quickly pull the manifold off the motor between runs.

I can't wait to here what you think Tom!

The material is PETG. Going to put the coldest thermostat in (160). Maybe make shields for the intake as well. Might even make a brace to help it hold up the carb. As the intake gets hot, it may sag. Plenty of challenges. Still far cheaper than making a cast aluminum intake.
Was wondering if there is a good barrier to apply to outside of intake for heat. Even a spray foam of sorts. And then fire retardant paint over the foam. Or maybe it will be a non issue.

Ah, the joys of R&D. Trying to think of everything that can go wrong and plan for it.

The spray foam idea is interesting. You could cover the foam with rattle can engine paint.

Definitely brace it! Carbs are heavy. Those die-cast materials are not light.

Keep your fire extinguisher handy!

A 3-D printer that uses aluminum wire. Print 'em and done.

Tom,

Maybe something as simple as using an exhaust wrap on the intake? That would be a lot less messy than foam for sure.

I bought a large format 3D printer about 8 years ago. There are a large variety of plastics you can use also, ABS works good for intakes. The Atlas engines and many import cars have ABS plastic intakes nowadays. You can test a small sample of the plastic by putting some gas on it to see if it breaks the plastic down. If it gets sticky or becomes tacky right away it wont be a good choice to use it.

Yeah But most intakes now a days are for air Only No fuel. With everything pretty much Injection now.

Air only also allows new design freedom not possibl/practical with a carburetor.
Look at the Ford 302, with the flow direction reversing between the runners and the TB.

Yes, that correct. Also, the newer engines are also crossflow designs that dont expose the intakes to much heat. Maybe some dyno testing can be accomplished before issues arise.

Looks like it uses the raised floor lumps similar to PES.
Low rise is OK, small ports = high velocity at lower RPM's, I'm all for it.

Please make sure it clears SPA turbo manifolds

So...
PFI bungs and stands?
A divided port version for us low RPM torque people?