New intake manifold to compliment the new edelbrock head

[mountaineerjeff]

So I'm contemplating making a new intake manifold setup for the jeeps. It will be cncd from billet aluminum.

What are some requirements you guys would have if I put this into production?

#1: Bolton. Use factory mounting including fuel rail and PS.
#2 Cost.

I know those are the 2 big ones. Throw me any other requests and also your thoughts on a reasonable final cost you would be willing to shell out.

[SilverXJ]

What kind of price are you thinking of?

[mountaineerjeff]

That's why I started the thread. To see what an acceptable price is, to see if I can make this happen with all the bells and whistles that people want.

[jsawduste]

1 and 2 with a potential ability to run twin TB`s. In an effort to equalize distribution. Perhaps a front and rear manifold.

Perhaps a two piece, bottom and a bolt on top plate.

[mountaineerjeff]

The plan is a two piece, with a conventional style manifold and plenum that will have equal flow across the cylinders. With a conventional manifold I don't think multiple throttle bodies with have an advantage

[jeepxj3]

What are you trying to target?

Low rpm torque-long small diameter runners or higher rpm horsepower-short big runners?
What rpm range? Below 4500 or above 4500 rpm?
What cam is needed for desired rpm range?

[jsawduste]

The plan is a two piece, with a conventional style manifold and plenum that will have equal flow across the cylinders. With a conventional manifold I don't think multiple throttle bodies with have an advantage

That would be fine if you can balance the flow.

[jsawduste]

What are you trying to target?

Low rpm torque-long small diameter runners or higher rpm horsepower-short big runners?
What rpm range? Below 4500 or above 4500 rpm?
What cam is needed for desired rpm range?

Give the guy a break. Let him refine the design first.

[mountaineerjeff]

As far as runner length goes the plan is to have a "street" option which would be a 100% bolton and then be tailored to the masses. Then have a race manifold that's exactly that.....possibly even a middle ground "sportsman". Right now, anything is possible given price and complexity are both reasonable.

Let me break it down for you guys. I have the software, the hardware, and the manpower to make these. So I am going to be making at least one. Depending on the direction of this thread will decide if I can make it financially viable to make more.

Now obviously I'll need to have my prototype finished and all the details ironed out, but this is your chance to be in on the ground floor of R+D so we don't have anything stupid like edelbrock not making the lifter holes big enough.

[SilverXJ]

Perhaps a manifold with a swappable deck plate. E.g. one plate for a single throttle body, one for a dual throttle body and one for a blank plate... if someone one wanted to bolt a supercharger to it. I would be down for one like that. $300- $400 range.

Another consideration is a spot to drill and tap some bungs if someone wants to run some extra gauges.. like an AIT gauge, vac gauge, etc.

One off the wall idea that many OEMs use is variable length runners. It would be difficult and probably cost prohibitive. Short direct runners blocked off with butter fly valves on a single shaft and longer runners w/o valves. The shaft on the short runners could be operated with a vacuum valve. Closed under vacuum, open with lack of vacuum (WOT). Or it can be done in the reverse. High RPM power, low end torque.

While that may be too difficult one final thought is if there is a removable deck plate allow removable runner extensions in the plenum so people could fine tune the length to their liking.

[jsawduste]

I am game to help in most anyway.

[mountaineerjeff]

Dual runners is on the table, but may not be plausible. As far as plates go, I'm thinking a conventional manifold with a normal forward facing throttle body and a plenum designed to equally distribute everything.

[SilverXJ]

Dual throttle bodies may be the route to go. Anyone wanting a 63+mm throttle body will be spending around $400 for one. Two stock & cheap throttle bodies would be a great selling point.

I see two ways they could be implemented

1) Two separate plenums with a TB on each. Linked so the blades moves 1:1. One throttle body will have the sensors and IAC, and the other is just the TB itself with the IAC ports blocked off. Of course there would be need to be a crossover tube for idle control and balancing. It might be best to move the IAC to the cross over tube.

2) One plenum for all cylinders. One throttle body that functions as the main throttle body with all the sensors and IAC and a second throttle body w/o the other stuff. Under normal around town driving the main throttle body would be used. Then under heavy acceleration, say 60-75% throttle the second throttle body would be opened via a linkage to the primary throttle body. The secondary throttle body could even be vacuum controller. What this would accomplish is you have the stock throttle body (or cheap 63mm throttle body) for easy throttle modulation around town and stop light to stop light. Then when the engine needs the extra air at WOT the secondary will kick in and supply greater air flow than a single 70mm throttle body.

[jeepxj3]

Fast Forward Superchargers casts their own Jeep 4.0L intake manifold. There were some good pics on their site.

The first 3-4 inches is the toughest as is the PS pump bolt holes. Maybe start with a log type stock intake and mill off after the mounting lugs for the fuel rail and leave the PS bracket/mounting attached and build from there. Just a thought.
Could make a bigger plenum box with bolt on top plates, single 70mm hole, dual 63mm holes, 4 barrel holes, blank.

[Cheromaniac]

How about a manifold that allows a single 70mm TB to be mounted on the side to simplify the air filter assembly and allow a straighter shot into the cylinders? The runner design could be something like this: