C1 & C2 Corvettes General C1 Corvette & C2 Corvette Discussion, Technical Info, Performance Upgrades, Project Builds, Restorations

AL vs Cast intake

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 27, 2015 | 07:54 AM
  #1  
Spike66's Avatar
Spike66
Thread Starter
Pro
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 637
Likes: 110
From: Flakewood Wrench, FL
Default AL vs Cast intake

Quick question: Can I take the cast iron intake off my recently rebuilt 327/300 hp and drop an AL intake on without having to retune? I put breakerless ignition and the rebuild was dyno'd. I'd do it for cosmetic purposes only as I didn't go with any L79 mods.
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2015 | 07:55 AM
  #2  
Nowhere Man's Avatar
Nowhere Man
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,123
Likes: 9,437
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Default

You will have to do something about the coolant bypass fitting in the front. Other then that it's a bolt in deal.
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2015 | 08:04 AM
  #3  
Spike66's Avatar
Spike66
Thread Starter
Pro
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 637
Likes: 110
From: Flakewood Wrench, FL
Default

Originally Posted by Nowhere Man
You will have to do something about the coolant bypass fitting in the front. Other then that it's a bolt in deal.
And what would that something be?
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2015 | 08:10 AM
  #4  
Nowhere Man's Avatar
Nowhere Man
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,123
Likes: 9,437
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Default

Originally Posted by Spike66
And what would that something be?
Either cap it off. Or swap out the water pump to a correct L79 one with the bypass fitting.
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2015 | 08:29 AM
  #5  
Frankie the Fink's Avatar
Frankie the Fink
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
Default

Originally Posted by Spike66
Quick question: Can I take the cast iron intake off my recently rebuilt 327/300 hp and drop an AL intake on without having to retune? I put breakerless ignition and the rebuild was dyno'd. I'd do it for cosmetic purposes only as I didn't go with any L79 mods.
if its not a factory aluminum intake hood clearance will be a problem.
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2015 | 09:20 AM
  #6  
Easy Rhino's Avatar
Easy Rhino
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
Photoriffic
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 31,805
Likes: 2,398
From: Middle TN by way of KY, OH, VA, IL, CA, FL, NY, SC, HI
Default

Swapping the intake requires pulling the distributor, so at least part of a tune would be required (setting timing).

I'm not thinking that the difference between an iron and aluminum intake would be enough of a change to require any other tune changes, but I suppose someone more knowledgable might chime in.
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2015 | 09:47 AM
  #7  
MikeM's Avatar
MikeM
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
Default

You engine doesn't use a water pump bypass so no problem there.

Just because the intake may not be factory does that mean there will be hood clearance problems.
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2015 | 10:26 AM
  #8  
Spike66's Avatar
Spike66
Thread Starter
Pro
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 637
Likes: 110
From: Flakewood Wrench, FL
Default

Originally Posted by MikeM
You engine doesn't use a water pump bypass so no problem there.

Just because the intake may not be factory does that mean there will be hood clearance problems.
Didn't mention it's a GM L79 AL intake. I didn't think hood clearance entered into the mix. Is the sender, PCV different?
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 27, 2015 | 10:30 AM
  #9  
Nowhere Man's Avatar
Nowhere Man
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,123
Likes: 9,437
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Default

The L79 intake uses a chrome plated oil fill tube with the PCV attached to it. The cast iron intakes used a black painted steel oil fill tube
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2015 | 10:33 AM
  #10  
Spike66's Avatar
Spike66
Thread Starter
Pro
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 637
Likes: 110
From: Flakewood Wrench, FL
Default

Originally Posted by Easy Rhino
Swapping the intake requires pulling the distributor, so at least part of a tune would be required (setting timing).

I'm not thinking that the difference between an iron and aluminum intake would be enough of a change to require any other tune changes, but I suppose someone more knowledgable might chime in.
I'm considering pulling the distributor anyways prior to installing the engine/trans assembly. Is this a must do? Is there a way to reference the distributor other than marking the intake?
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2015 | 10:34 AM
  #11  
Spike66's Avatar
Spike66
Thread Starter
Pro
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 637
Likes: 110
From: Flakewood Wrench, FL
Default

Originally Posted by Nowhere Man
The L79 intake uses a chrome plated oil fill tube with the PCV attached to it. The cast iron intakes used a black painted steel oil fill tube
The AL intake has the fill tube in it.
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2015 | 10:34 AM
  #12  
MikeM's Avatar
MikeM
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
Default

Originally Posted by Spike66
Didn't mention it's a GM L79 AL intake. I didn't think hood clearance entered into the mix. Is the sender, PCV different?
Plug the hole in the intake for the water pump bypass.
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2015 | 10:35 AM
  #13  
MikeM's Avatar
MikeM
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
Default

Originally Posted by Spike66
I'm considering pulling the distributor anyways prior to installing the engine/trans assembly. Is this a must do? Is there a way to reference the distributor other than marking the intake?
No reason to pull the intake I know of.
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2015 | 10:36 AM
  #14  
Nowhere Man's Avatar
Nowhere Man
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,123
Likes: 9,437
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Default

Originally Posted by Spike66
I'm considering pulling the distributor anyways prior to installing the engine/trans assembly. Is this a must do? Is there a way to reference the distributor other than marking the intake?
read your service manual. the correct procedure is in there
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2015 | 10:46 AM
  #15  
Spike66's Avatar
Spike66
Thread Starter
Pro
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 637
Likes: 110
From: Flakewood Wrench, FL
Default

Originally Posted by MikeM
Plug the hole in the intake for the water pump bypass.
Isn't there a bypass fitting on top of the L79 water pump? I'm unfamiliar with the L79 plumbing. If there's a bypass on both pumps and intakes, why wouldn't reconnecting fitting to fitting work?
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2015 | 10:47 AM
  #16  
Spike66's Avatar
Spike66
Thread Starter
Pro
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 637
Likes: 110
From: Flakewood Wrench, FL
Default

Originally Posted by MikeM
No reason to pull the intake I know of.
I meant to pull the distributor
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2015 | 10:49 AM
  #17  
Pilot Dan's Avatar
Pilot Dan
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 447
From: NJ Hockey beer league
Default

Originally Posted by Spike66
I'm considering pulling the distributor anyways prior to installing the engine/trans assembly. Is this a must do? Is there a way to reference the distributor other than marking the intake?
It's a good idea to remove the distributor prior to installing the engine assembly for clearance and to avoid damage if it hits the firewall. You can reference the distributor to the engine's position by removing the cap and marking the position of the rotor. Are you intending to do this work yourself or just getting info? Pilot Dan
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To AL vs Cast intake

Old Jun 27, 2015 | 10:50 AM
  #18  
Spike66's Avatar
Spike66
Thread Starter
Pro
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 637
Likes: 110
From: Flakewood Wrench, FL
Default

Originally Posted by Pilot Dan
It's a good idea to remove the distributor prior to installing the engine assembly for clearance and to avoid damage if it hits the firewall. You can reference the distributor to the engine's position by removing the cap and marking the position of the rotor. Are you intending to do this work yourself or just getting info? Pilot Dan
Doing it myself.
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2015 | 10:51 AM
  #19  
Frankie the Fink's Avatar
Frankie the Fink
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
Default

Originally Posted by Spike66
Didn't mention it's a GM L79 AL intake. I didn't think hood clearance entered into the mix. Is the sender, PCV different?
That's new information and so , no, it doesn't...

There are VERY few aluminum non-factory intakes that fit our cars....mostly old school Edelbrocks... I just sold one a few months back
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2015 | 11:06 AM
  #20  
Frankie the Fink's Avatar
Frankie the Fink
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
Default

You will HAVE to pull the distributor to swap intakes....there are two reference points to mark and then its a breeze. Mark the distributor position (normally you would mark it at the intake but the intake will be swapped); a piece of that blue tape on a valve cover in line with the vac advance hose tube fitting aligned via straightedge will do it. Then, in a similar fashion, mark where the rotor is pointing. Do NOT bump the engine over during the swap. All you have to do then is reinsert the distributor according to your marks. JohnZ has written an excellent article on the procedure....if you don't have it, or others, will post it...
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:56 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE