I pretty much have the style figured out and now how to make it. Still have to take the intake manifold off to get the real measurements but....
While considering materials and methods it occured to me that if I made it out of plastic I might as well make it out of clear plastic. The problem is it isn't an easy thing to cast. I have to figure out how to make it hollow but there are ways.
What do you think? Would a totaly clear intake system clear to the valley be worth the trouble? I don't think the valley pan would remain clear or be clear with oil smeared all over it but the rest should be OK.
What would it gain? Again I don't know but I haven't seen any clear intakes yet.

The easiest method is just weld aluminum bent pipe to form. I also lose the changing pipe diameter. So far this don't seem all that cheap just simple.

2nd is hand laminate it. The hollow form is still a slight problem but could be over come. Probably a sand core.

3rd is to cast it in peices in either aluminum or plastic. Which leads me to the clear idea. Casting it in aluminum is easy since the hollow pipe is just sand- a core. The same core method might work with the plastic, I still have to find out. Possibly a wax core for the plastic. It has to come out somehow and leave a perfect finish on the inside, otherwise it ain't clear.

almost forgot, this is an EFI manifold.

 

There is a guy in town who has a clear intake, he deigned it, but had a place in Florida build it.

It's very cool! I'll search to see if I have any pictures of at home.

But is basically a box with a clear top. Inside there several weber carb looking throttle bodies. The box is fed by two paxton super chargers. Actually now that I think about it, it is more of a blow through box than intake... but it may inspire you anyway.

I don't know exactly what's going on down below it, but it is all custom.

The owner of the car owns an auto repair shop, I can find the number for you, but the guy wasn't very friendly with me. I guess if you catch him at the right time he may want to talk to you.

~Jay

 

I would think that the heat and hot/cold cycling would eventually warp, dry out, crack or somehow just cause a plastic to fail if used with any frequency. But, I'm just geussing. Good luck with it. I'd like to see it if you do it.

 

I think it sounds awesome, but two problems come to mind:

1) the heat and constant exposure to engine oil etc would probably discolor, at best, the clear plastic.

2) even if the plastic did not discolor, would you really want to look at hot steamy gaseous-oil.

Might be cool to have clear runners on top, but have a bottom "plate" of a metal or something to hide the internals... but then again you are probably just wanting to see the internals - aaaaahhh a quandry.

 

if you could do that,,and some how dye the fuel,,say red ,,that would look cool,,watchin $3 a gallon go !!!!!!!!!

 

The current LS1/2/6 manifold is made of plastic albeit black. FAST make an aftermarket version and that may be plastic as well. You may be able to pick their brains on the subject.

 

Well I emailed poly tek and it won't work.
Sounded like the stuff would fit the bill but they said it isn't strong enough. high enough heat or fuel proof. Lost on every item.
Oh well just have to do an easy one.