Intake manifold design (books, websites?)

[Guest zthang43]

Anyone know of some good books, websites, or other info on designing intake manifolds? I am thinking about putting my fabrication skills to good use and buiding an intake for my 4.3.

It doesn't seem that hard for a person with proper tools and skills; mainly I want to know what I am doing in designing the plenum size, runner lengths, etc. I think that a custom manifold could be a lot better than what is currently available for this motor anyway.

The stock cast iron 4 barrel manifold is pretty heavy, and the Edelbrock Performer is barely better than stock for flow characteristics (or so I have been told, and the one on my 350 supports this claim). Any of the GM performance manifolds are just way too pricey for me.

[Guest Anonymous]

I had a notion once to build a custom manifold. Heres what I was thinking, if you can get a smog manifold from a 4.3 thats stock aluminum. Take a rotary grinder/die grinder and cut the top off basically. Leave the water passage, but cut the manifold right where it enters the port flange.

 

By removing the top and just leaving a flange on each side, and whatever the bottom looks like after all the top is removed.

 

Now, fire up the tig and tack your runner tubes to the flanges and you have the makings of a custom. It maybe a toss up time wise as to which is quicker to modify a old manifold, or build the flanges and valley cover too (while maintaining distributor height thats correct). Just a thought.

 

Regards,

 

Lone

[Guest bang847]

I saw this today.. looked to be in your direction..

 

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0879385472/qid=1021009653/sr=1-5/ref=sr_1_5/102-0406602-0251326

 

It is on sale too!