I was looking for some better material for my intake tube. Something lightweight, cheap, easy to work with, and reasonably well insulating.

Found it: 4" diameter styrene pipe from my local hardware store. .0080" thick/ 2mm thick and weighs next to nothing. Easy to cut, glue to, etc.

That is a 4" to 3.5" 90 degree bend from siliconintakes.com in the middle so when the air is turning the corner it is still a very big dimension.

With just one turn of silicon rescue tape over the 92mm MAF, then one turn of teflon tape to help the tube slip over it, the white 4" styrene fits snugly onto the MAF, then 4" to 3.5" 90 degree silicon bend, then 3.5" tube, then 90 degree 3.5" elbow to the 82 mm / 3.25" TB.

See photo: which of these two intakes do you think will flow better?

 

Progress with my new intake. So far I have:

- located the IAT sensor in the air stream

- Added an oil catch can

- added my water/meth injection nozzle

*one more nozzle to add right before the TB

The bottom side of the intake got a layer of insulating reflective HVAC tape, while the top is sporting the black paint. Black, it is the new black.

 

I was thinking about something similar as well or PVC pipe for prototyping my own version, but worried about the underhood heat will kill it in no time. What's your opinion with it?

 

I'm game to try it and find out for myself. I did use some HVAC insulating metal reflective tape on the bottom side to minimize heat to the material.

I'll just try it and see. It is super light weight and easy to work with, so I think it is worth a try. If it doesn't last, I'm out what... 10 bucks?

 

Here is a little secret of how to support the 90 degree silicon elbow from being sucked closed while still allowing it to be flexible enough for the hood to close easily.

You can see where I made cutouts so the material can flex when the hood drops on it. I chose this spot based on the scuff marks on top of the 90 degree elbow as it turns down to the TB.

 

It shouldn't be sucked in anyways with it being that diameter and with your larger MAF. There is no restriction before the throttle body so no vacuum to suck it in.

 

True,
On my system with the larger MAF and intake there is little to no vacuum.

I did have a report from someone else who is running a similar set up to yours who is running much higher air volume than me, but with a smaller MAF, who did have his sucked closed. This mod is just helps eliminate that from happening with anyone else who may try my design. As I get reports and feedback, I'll try to update my posts so as to give forum members the most up to date, and hopefully best available info....and full disclosure of results so far.

This cut allows the most support while still allowing the hood to close easily.

 

Yes with him running much more power and still using the small OEM MAF on the end of the intake, it will suck in. But in your case it's unnecessary and probably just creates extra turbulence.

You can cut out an opening in the hood insulation where it touches the intake elbow and adjust the hood striker pins to allow the hood to sit higher. It will give some extra clearance.

 

Just a 8 month follow up to say that this thin and almost weightless styrene 4" tube is still as solid/stong/durable feeling as the day it was installed so I would recommend using it to others as it is really easy to cut/drill/glue, etc.

Featherweight
Easy to modify
Cheap
Long lasting (probably)