Besides the obvious heat issue, would making an intake manifold out of stainless be a bad idea?

 

Weight? Thats the only other real con I can see.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sharkytm &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Weight? Thats the only other real con I can see.</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

What about the welding... meaning it would be a good idea to back purge a stainless manifold, so you don't get the "bird ****" on the other side and not have anything get sucked in.

 

What would be the benefit in doing a stainless manifold?

 

Well you wouldn't need as good of a machine to make a SS mani, but then again, the SS flange, bungs, tubes, etc would probably cost a lot more. Its far cheaper to CNC an aluminum flange than an SS version, mainly because the slower speed and increased tool wear. It would also take more time to finish the manifold in terms of port matching, grinding, etc.

 

Welding the acutal manifold would be easier if it were made out of stainless. Also, the finish would look alot better. As for purging the welds, 'most' of the time when you weld aluminum, you aren't getting a full penetration weld anyway. You are adding alot material. So the inside doesn't get all sugar'd up.

 

I'd much rather weld an aluminum manifold than a stainless one. And i'd definitely much rather work with al. than SS, cutting and grinding anyways.

 

you'll hear every noise the motor makes... ring a ding ding ding ding ring ring

The thin stainless tubing will act like a sound amplifier.

 

The reason I asked, was I have an idea for a manifold, but can't weld Aluminum that well. So i wanted to make one out of stainless for testing reasons and was just wondering if there is anything negative besides the weight and heat.

Thanks for the posts guys.

 

i say, since it seems like a prototype thing and you cant weld aluminum, just do the stainless if you must.

 

hell save your self the $ and make it mild

 

The stainless will not dispate heat like aluminum will either.