Factory Aluminum Intake?
 

I was looking around in my Dad's garage last night for an intake to put on the crate motor I will be buying soon. I found what appears to be a late model GM four barrel intake. I have not inspected it really closely, but it appears to be just like the cast iron one on my truck.

I remember my Dad talking about it years ago. He said he was told it was from a TBI V8, but all of those I have seen looked like a two barrel manifold.

What was this used on? Will it work on my truck? I'm not trying to maximize performance, just save a little weight it I can do it for free. Is it at least as good as the cast iron one?

I can take some pics, or post any numbers that might be on it, if necessary.

Thanks,

Slonaker

Re: Factory Aluminum Intake?
 

My brother in law had a Z28 with a factory aluminum intake on it. I don't know what else they came on or if they have any benefit.

Re: Factory Aluminum Intake?
 

they came out on z28's like see ten said as far a benefit i believe they are barelly taller deck then cast but in not sure and then the basic aluminum light weight and less heat. you can really make some money with them if you know anyone that runs street stock dirt track they like to use trhem b/c they look and (are) factory i have two of them in my garage that a guy gave me when he needed his garage cleaned out so he could move ( i cleaned it out and came home with alot of goodies)

Re: Factory Aluminum Intake?
 

I'm really not worried about performance gains. It will be on a stock engine. I'm just thinking that saving a little on weight can't hurt, and the price is hard to beat since it is free. Also, any part I don't have to re-use on the new engine will result in less down time during the swap. I just want to make sure it will work.

I guess I need to look at it closely and compare it to what I already have. Since it is a factory, I would think that it should work okay.

Slonaker

Re: Factory Aluminum Intake?
 

That intake will work fine on your truck. They were common on the L69 engines (305 HO) in the Camaros and Monte Carlo SS cars of the mid to late 80's. It is basically an aluminum copy of the cast iron intake on your truck. They are prone to corrosion in the coolant passages. If they look good, I would say run it. Not sure if there will be any performance gains, though.

Re: Factory Aluminum Intake?
 

Basicly the same as a cast iron one, just weighs less. They came on trucks & EL Caminos too. If you just want a stock setup the cast iron intake would be better since it's less likely to warp, corrode or leak. There is a ZZ3 and ZZ4 version there just a tad taller then the stock aluminum manifold, I have the ZZ4 on my 76, it's not too impressive IMO.

Take a picture of the manifold and one of the center bolts it may not bolt right on your crate engine.

Re: Factory Aluminum Intake?
 

What everybody else said, I took one off of a 305 and it's taking up space in my attic.

Re: Factory Aluminum Intake?
 

My cast iron intake has all of the emission controls hooked up on it with the maze of vacuum lines. My hope is to leave it all intact, including the old carb, and put it in the attic in case San Antonio decides to start doing emissions inspections before it becomes exempt.

I had not thought about corrosion being a problem with aluminum. I'll have to see how it looks. I have another cast iron intake also, but at first glance, it looks like it may be a little different from mine, especially around the EGR valve (which I would like to keep using). I guess I'll have to look at it a little closer, and see if it is the same. If not, I might just go pick one up at a junkyard. Surely they can't cost much...

When you say center bolts, are you talking about the intake manifold or the exhaust manifolds? I have already been told that the exhaust manifolds my not work with a 350. If they don't, I will probably go with some angled ram's horns.

Slonaker

Re: Factory Aluminum Intake?
 

The center 4 bolts on the intake changed when the heads went to center bolt valve covers in 87. Your exhaust manifolds will work just fine either way.

Re: Factory Aluminum Intake?
 

my dad has a factory 4bbl intake that came off a 300hp 327 but its cast and u can bolt a holley on the intake with no problem

Re: Factory Aluminum Intake?
 

Thanks for the info, guys.

Slonaker