LT1 composite intake..
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: stop the fun suckers
LT1 composite intake..
Has anyone ever made an LT1 composite intake? with all the LS1 and ford 4.6 intakes going to plastics I'm thinking there might be some use for them..
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
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From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by 383_BluByU
I think it has to do with thermodynamics as well.. the heat from the en gine isnt as easily transferred to the intake charge with the composite designs..
We have a winner!
It is thermodyamics. Last August, a bunch of people, including a large number from the Forum, attended a tour at Edelbrock's factory here in Torrance.
During the tour, we visited the R&D center, they described the modeling procedures they use. When they design a new intake, they model it out of many materials, but make a full scale mock up out of fibreglass. That unit is actually fitable to an engine and tested. To confirm flow numbers and such.
Invariably, the test unit makes more power - cause it isn't as hot as the aluminum units. The flow numbers are identical, the only difference? Intake temp.
So yes, temp makes a difference here.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,856
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From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
That's why the LSX guys don't have to ice their intakes between runs at the drag strip. 
[edit]
The down side?
They are hard to port, modify ( nitrous jets ) and they can't handle high boost pressures ( blowers or nitrous ). This is why you see aftermarket intakes for the LSX engines in aluminum.
[edit]
The down side?
They are hard to port, modify ( nitrous jets ) and they can't handle high boost pressures ( blowers or nitrous ). This is why you see aftermarket intakes for the LSX engines in aluminum.
Last edited by BrianCunningham; Dec 3, 2004 at 02:17 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: I'm the walkin dude I can see all of the world...
St. Jude Donor '03
Originally Posted by bogus
Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!
We have a winner!
It is thermodyamics. Last August, a bunch of people, including a large number from the Forum, attended a tour at Edelbrock's factory here in Torrance.
During the tour, we visited the R&D center, they described the modeling procedures they use. When they design a new intake, they model it out of many materials, but make a full scale mock up out of fibreglass. That unit is actually fitable to an engine and tested. To confirm flow numbers and such.
Invariably, the test unit makes more power - cause it isn't as hot as the aluminum units. The flow numbers are identical, the only difference? Intake temp.
So yes, temp makes a difference here.
We have a winner!
It is thermodyamics. Last August, a bunch of people, including a large number from the Forum, attended a tour at Edelbrock's factory here in Torrance.
During the tour, we visited the R&D center, they described the modeling procedures they use. When they design a new intake, they model it out of many materials, but make a full scale mock up out of fibreglass. That unit is actually fitable to an engine and tested. To confirm flow numbers and such.
Invariably, the test unit makes more power - cause it isn't as hot as the aluminum units. The flow numbers are identical, the only difference? Intake temp.
So yes, temp makes a difference here.
Okie thanks for the info! 
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Race Director
Joined: May 2001
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Likes: 9
Yeah but I don't have any way to cast it out of a mold. The rapid prototype produces a perfect plastic model of whatever you want, cavities and all. I was thinking just draw it, "print" it and bolt it on.
I'm not so sure about it's heat tolerance though, afterall the machine does melt the plastic in order to form it, but hey, that could be hotter than an engine normally runs but I doubt it. Would be cool to bolt it on for a dyno run or two before it turns to slush and runs through the lifter valley.
I'm not so sure about it's heat tolerance though, afterall the machine does melt the plastic in order to form it, but hey, that could be hotter than an engine normally runs but I doubt it. Would be cool to bolt it on for a dyno run or two before it turns to slush and runs through the lifter valley.
