Self ported IM+plenum spacer and Isolator

[mhog]

I ported my own IM. Filled in the chin with JB Weld, gasket matched the runners and ground down all the casting imperfections inside the manifold. I also sanded and polished the exterior. I had some extra caliper paint so I painted the edges plenum spacer. If I had to do it all over again I wouldn’t. I would leave it to the pros. It’s a PITA job, especially the exterior. I don’t think I saved any money doing it myself but I started this before Mace offered ported IM’s. I don’t have a large arsenal of tools and materials so I had to buy them. That and the time put me over in cost. Since my camaro is my daily driver I bought a new manifold so I could take my time with the project.
But all in all I'm glad I did it! If you are on the fence on getting a ported IM and have a Black Ice, do it. I'm sure the pros know how to port better than me, so you can't go wrong. The feel isn’t as great as when you added the Iceolator alone but almost. You can feel it though out the rpm range evenly. After about 10 miles after install my tires were breaking loose on a medium launch in drive. Before the install I was only able to break loose on a hard launch in sport mode. Not sure how much is the plenum spacer or ported IM but I like the results. My engine idles more quiet and there is no vibration. I was at a traffic light and I thought my engine stalled because I didn't hear it or feel it so I tapped the gas pedal to check.
My plan was to do the gasket match on the heads but I wussed. I had that job all planned out then decided to see how it will feel without it first.
Some pics:

[Lil' Nasty]

Dude that looks awesome!

[GoPaul]

very impressive, love the polished look and the painted spacer is a must imo, the color of the stock ones just look bad. Well done on a great job

[menendez1293]

Well done. It looks amazing.

[OOLIE]

Awesome you have more guts than me. Definitely a great mod whether it is mace or RX.

[flavp5]

looks awesome dude.. i think it was worth the effort

[nikos30]

wow dude SICK JOB

[Lil' Nasty]

Btw what can of (blue) hose is that? Makes it look a lot better

[CiscoBee]

Fantastic job!!! Although you may have spent more isint it more rewarding knowing you did it all!!!!

[Amenti]

That looks pretty damn sick.

[SteveFrench]

Now you just got to port match the head and you will feel a big difference with it! Good job looks great! i want to do the plenum spacer and im trying to find where i can buy some synergy green paint to do the same thing you did.

[mhog]

Originally Posted by Franklin's Bee

Btw what can of (blue) hose is that? Makes it look a lot better

The blue hoses are high temp silicone hoses I picked up at pepboys.

[mhog]

Originally Posted by SteveFrench

Now you just got to port match the head and you will feel a big difference with it! Good job looks great! i want to do the plenum spacer and im trying to find where i can buy some synergy green paint to do the same thing you did.

I was all set to do that I was going to use sponges to put down the ports. that way if any debris was left the expanding sponge will push it over the ports when removing.

[Indy Bumble Bee]

looks fantastic! I wanted to do this myself but was worried that it would not be worththe time do this project. I love the look with out the engine cover with the engine dress up a bit