Intake Manifold Prototype Feedback

[Steve@HPE]

All,
Attached are some pictures of our, patent pending, Camaro/Corvette intake manifold prototype; we were supposed to have it at C5 Fest to gather aesthetic feedback from you all, but the machine shop didn't complete it in time. Keep in mind, it's a prototype we're using at this point for functional testing on an engine dyno and flow bench. So it still looks a little rough, but the overall package design will stay pretty much the same. That is, assuming the functional tests are inline with our CAD system's flow simulation results.

Here are some things to note regarding the design. First, the design goals,

1) Improve performance over the stock intake manifold at higher RPM's without compromising lower RPM torque.
2) Modular design so the plenum volume can be matched to the engine displacement. NASCAR and Formula research shows the ideal plenum volume is 40-50% of the engine displacement for N/A engines.
3) Improved package design that gives the engine a cleaner more aggressive appearance.
4) Improved durability. During our turbo tests on the FAST 102 intake, it's 2-part intake runners would split apart at boost levels over 14psi. Plastic intakes are known to split/crack in nitrous applications
5) Minimize heat soak.

Here are Key Features
---------------------
1) Fits Beneath the Hood on a Corvette and Camaro
2) Maximum RPM HP increase
3) Long tapered ports for Maximum Lower RPM Torque
4) Modular Design for Engine Displacement Matching
5) Clean and Aggressive Styling
6) Meth injection ports
7) Teflon heat insulation spacers
8) Can accommodate up to a 102mm Throttle Body

Anyway, let me know what you think. Particularly regarding the aesthetics, if one thing is painfully obvious it's that designers of the current LS intake manifolds gave little thought to its looks.

[62nalide]

Nice!!!!!

[LS3 SS]

Can't wait to see the finished product! Subscribed.

[Kyle2k]

Is this what Nathan was talking about?

[Irnwkrkev]

Looks promising!

Would have loved to see it made out of a composite but it seems to have ample space beneath the plenum for air to circulate.

Could you explain the "teflon heat isolator spacers"? I'd imagine they're a spacer under each runner?

[Steve@HPE]

Originally Posted by Irnwkrkev

Looks promising!

Would have loved to see it made out of a composite but it seems to have ample space beneath the plenum for air to circulate.

Could you explain the "teflon heat isolator spacers"? I'd imagine they're a spacer under each runner?

The final decision on the material has not been made; the prototype is aluminum because it's the least expensive to prototype. If during testing the Teflon spacers do not do the trick keeping the intake from overheating, we'll switch to composite.

They're spacers between the intake and the cylinder head, think of it as a thick gasket between the manifold and cylinder head. Teflon has a low heat transfer rate which makes it a good insulator.

[tys2010camaro]

Where do you think Pricing will be? There are a few people out starting to make LS manifolds. I am ready to pull the trigger but am now waiting untill SEMA as i'm sure we'll see a lot of intakes there.

[Steve@HPE]

Originally Posted by Kyle2k

Is this what Nathan was talking about?

I don't think so, we kept this under wraps until the patent pending application was processed.

[RolltideSS]

I want - if the price is good I would prefer this to the fast intake manifold

[litle88]

I like it too! Considering I'm going boost, keep us posted.

[62nalide]

If this is priced like the Holley I'm sold on it.

[NinoSS]

Originally Posted by LS3 SS

Can't wait to see the finished product! Subscribed.

[Steve@HPE]

Originally Posted by RolltideSS

I want - if the price is good I would prefer this to the fast intake manifold

Offering a price that's more affordable than the FAST intake is key. If we can get away with aluminum we can definitely do it.

[AG454]

Cool, can't wait to see some numbers. If it can outperform a FAST and fits under the stock hood I am in. It looks good, better if powdercoated or anodized.