LFX intake spacer (aka isolator, aka The Extendolator) now in testing.

[Jason@JacFab]

For the latest testing and discussion jump to post #332


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Old info, and development progress starts here

It's been a long time coming, and I'm not really sure why no one has done it so I decided to go for it. Looking beyond the fact that the LFX doesn't "really" need an intake isolator for heat soak issues, it's no secret that runner length is proportionate to the power band. IE: A longer runner should create more low end torque...

While the upper portion of the LFX manifold isn't prone to heat soak as the 2010-2011 aluminum intake manifold is, many of you don't know that the LFX has a LOWER intake portion that IS also made of aluminum.



While it probably doesn't have a huge impact on air temp since it's such a small area of the intake manifold, it certainly can't hurt to get it off of the engine. It's appx. 1.125" thick. I took the LFX intake manifold off of my new-ish 2013 LFX car after driving about 10 miles, and the ambient temp was also close to 100 deg f, and that section was burning hot.

Anyway, I made a 1" (~25mm) thick intake spacer I've tentatively named The Extendolator out of a similar material that some of the similar products that are made for the LLT engine some of you may be familiar with. It was installed yesterday utilizing 2 OE intake manifold gaskets, and longer bolts.

I have not confirmed yet, but I think the LFX intake may be taller than the LLT manifold. I do not believe that the factory engine cover will fit under the hood using this 1" piece, but I have not tried it yet. I am also looking into 1/2" thick Extendolators.

The Extendolator came about as it was kind of a by product of something else I am working on called The Adaptolator (The Adaptolator thread in the LLT section)... Which leads me to testing... I am waiting on a new LLT intake manifold I ordered to show up at the dealer, and to sort out the final details on making it work on the LFX car (vacuum routing, etc), but since I only have an LFX car at my disposal, once The Adaptolator stuff is sorted out, I plan to dyno test:

1) The LFX manifold w/ the Extendolator (intake spacer (isolator))
2) The LFX manifold as stock (w/o the spacer)
3) A stock LLT manifold on the LFX car via The Adaptolator

And some time down the road, depending on how close the LFX manifold and the LLT manifold are, I may test a ported LLT manifold on the LFX engine via The Adaptolator.







That said, I'll hit the dyno myself as soon as I get everything else ready to test the same day. I also plan to hit the drag strip the next time I have the opportunity.

I have ordered enough material to make enough Extendolators for 10 cars. 5 each of the 1" thick, and 5 each of the 1/2" thick...

I've got 2 people lined out to test the 1" spacer, and 2 to test out the .5" spacer that will be dynoing before and afters. Products to ship out mid to late next week. My own dyno testing is appx. 3 weeks out, but I may try to hit the drag strip again before that.

[pgustavson]

You should be able to use the Pontiac G8 oil filler extension to raise the height if the oil fill tube for proper fit of the cover with the 1" spacer - PN 92068813.

The post on the passenger-side needs to be raised as well.

[SgtPickles69]

[intensifi]

For convertibles the strut tower brace will probably come into play.

By the way how clean are your valves?

[meissen]

Very interesting to see - PM sent. Wish this was just one month ago when my site had a dyno day that I had my 5th gen at, but if you're sending for free then the $50-$75 to get back on the dyno for a before and after run would be worth it.

[KaBoom1701]

[etmx183]

PM sent, :-)

[Basemaro]

pm sent here also!!

[Jason@JacFab]

Originally Posted by pgustavson

You should be able to use the Pontiac G8 oil filler extension to raise the height if the oil fill tube for proper fit of the cover with the 1" spacer - PN 92068813.

The post on the passenger-side needs to be raised as well.

I am not 100% certain yet, as I'm waiting for my LLT intake manifold on order to show up, but I believe that the LFX intake manifold setup is taller than the LLT. It does not appear that there is room for the engine cover under the hood with the 1" spacer, but I have not tried to put it on yet either as I run without it. I will investigate when the rest of the parts show up.

Originally Posted by intensifi

For convertibles the strut tower brace will probably come into play.

By the way how clean are your valves?

Picture of the intake valves on the #1 cylinder after a little over 1500 miles without a catch can. Looks like there is already some build up on the valve stem.

I think I have my tester for the 1" piece already, if I have not replied to your PM yet, please don't feel bad. A lot of people have expressed interest in testing the 1", but none for the .5", still need someone to test that out.

[meissen]

I'll test out whatever is available - if it's only the .5" that's available I'll give it a shot. For free - who can complain?

[intensifi]

BTW do you see any benefit in porting the aluminum piece on the bottom of the manifold you are trying to heat isolate?

[AKA-22]

sub

[Jason@JacFab]

Originally Posted by intensifi

BTW do you see any benefit in porting the aluminum piece on the bottom of the manifold you are trying to heat isolate?

I don't see why you wouldn't benefit from gasket matching the lower intake manifold piece, as well as the intake ports on the heads also...

As the part is currently designed, they are matched to the gasket port size, which is considerably bigger than the port in the head and the bottom of the intake. I have to redraw the spacers to match the port size so there is no abrupt edge to disrupt air flow before sending them out. But since the gasket matched piece is already designed, and therefore easy to cut I will have both "sizes" available, one to fit the stock port sizes, and the gasket matched... Of course a guy could always hog out the stock port sized spacer later down the road, but it's nice to have the option if a person planned on port matching before ordering the part so it could fit.

[Buschman]

Pm sent