Painting an intake manifold

[greymouser7]

I have noticed that allot of people paint their intake manifolds. Is this strictly aesthetic?

I thought that this would insulate heat into the induction.

How much horsepower is the insulation costing performance?

Benefits versus drawbacks? Alternatives? Thanks in advance again. :burnout:

 

[tedsweet]

none

 

[68383GTS]

I always paint mine.

 

[1968FormulaS340]

Blond, brunet or redhead?

It's whatever you like.

 

[805moparkid]

i dont like the look of billet or cast aluminum... or just aluminum in general

 

[67Dart273]

Heat and aluminum intakes may well be a wives tale.

Remember, the SOURCE of the heat is the engine conducting INTO the intake. I'm not sure what the actual difference in the radiation characteristics of aluminum vs cast iron actually would be in this sort of situation. In other words I'm not sure aluminum could necessarily radiate heat into the air faster than it conducts into the intake from the engine, compared to cast iron.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Do you stay up at night thinkin this stuff up?

 

[PanGasket]

I like the look of bare metal personally. As stated though, there's no benefit but aesthetics to come from doing this. Just don't paint the mating surfaces or the inside. or the underside.

 

[RustyRatRod]

There certainly is benefit to paint it. bare aluminum will stain quickly because the surface is porous. Painting it seals it and allows quick cleanup. Powder coating is even better.

 

[PanGasket]

There certainly is benefit to paint it. bare aluminum will stain quickly because the surface is porous. Painting it seals it and allows quick cleanup. Powder coating is even better.

I stand corrected.:cheers:

 

[pauly]

The thermal conductivity of aluminum is well over of twice that of cast iron, so in theory, your aluminum intake is acting as a heat sink for your motor!

 

[greymouser7]

Do you stay up at night thinkin this stuff up?

Rob, you have to realize that we come from different backgrounds.

You did this stuff for a living, I did not

You have had years of opportunities to auto-hobby, I have been stuck in a tube reading about it -from sources you do not necessarily agree with etc.

I don't remember if your dad supported you starting this hobby, but my dad only changed sparkplugs, oil, & tire rotations. My uncles & grandfather never had time to teach automotive lessons-they just used me to get their work done. I am here on my own.

I have noticed that people get horsepower in small bites after the cam-heads-bore-stroke-exhaust-carb-intake setups often suggested here.

I am curious as to whether the heat dissipation is worth anything

 

[jdsduster]

just dont clear it like i did,will turn yellow .sucks