Need help...intake swap surprises
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Central Valley California
Need help...intake swap surprises
So....I bought an LS6 intake and a Callaway Honker along with a new MAF and decided to give it a go today. I have a 2000 FRC. Everything went OK until I took the intake off and couldn't believe what I saw. There was leaves and dirt packed in between the ports, dirt along the entire valley, and a big pool of oil inside the intake. I vaccumed up all of the debris/leaves, but here lies the real problem. When I look inside the ports (correct me if I'm labeling these wrong), I can see black smudge all around the inside. How do I get this out without causing damage? Am I looking at some damage down the road due to this excessive oil everywhere? 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
This is all normal. The space between the valley cover and intake is exposed to the elements if the foam on the ends is bad, missing, or misapplied. I had a black coat of old oil residue inside the "intake runners" (what you referred to as ports) as well. This is due to oil consumption through the PCV system over the life of the vehicle.
Basically you need to scrub it off and clean everything well, and go back together with an oil catch can installed to catch oil before it can enter the intake. From then on you will not have to worry about this problem.
Basically you need to scrub it off and clean everything well, and go back together with an oil catch can installed to catch oil before it can enter the intake. From then on you will not have to worry about this problem.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Central Valley California
This is all normal. The space between the valley cover and intake is exposed to the elements if the foam on the ends is bad, missing, or misapplied. I had a black coat of old oil residue inside the "intake runners" (what you referred to as ports) as well. This is due to oil consumption through the PCV system over the life of the vehicle.
Basically you need to scrub it off and clean everything well, and go back together with an oil catch can installed to catch oil before it can enter the intake. From then on you will not have to worry about this problem.
Basically you need to scrub it off and clean everything well, and go back together with an oil catch can installed to catch oil before it can enter the intake. From then on you will not have to worry about this problem.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 326
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
Agree--the LS engine is notorious for sucking up oil in thru the PCV system-hence the huge market for aftermarket catch cans or installing a LS6 valley to re-route the PCV system
-Now leaves and such is another concern--- make sure all the intake air bridge clamps are good and make sure the air pump suction hose is plumbed correctly with your Honker--- The air pump suction is AFTER the air filter so if it's not installed properly you could get large debris into the T-body and manifold
-Now leaves and such is another concern--- make sure all the intake air bridge clamps are good and make sure the air pump suction hose is plumbed correctly with your Honker--- The air pump suction is AFTER the air filter so if it's not installed properly you could get large debris into the T-body and manifold
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Central Valley California
Fortunately, I don't think any large debris or leaves got inside the intake, just underneath and in between the runners. I cleaned out the intake runners before bolting on the new intake manifold. All is well and I'm hoping my idle will smooth out a little (it was running rough before). Wish I had some real numbers to work with but I'm thinking between the Callaway Honker and LS6 intake, I could pick up 15-20 rwhp (?). Too bad it cost me about $900 total to get there 
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,823
Likes: 42
From: East Aurora NY
Fortunately, I don't think any large debris or leaves got inside the intake, just underneath and in between the runners. I cleaned out the intake runners before bolting on the new intake manifold. All is well and I'm hoping my idle will smooth out a little (it was running rough before). Wish I had some real numbers to work with but I'm thinking between the Callaway Honker and LS6 intake, I could pick up 15-20 rwhp (?). Too bad it cost me about $900 total to get there
