Custom 3D Printed GTR Style Intake Plenum Project
 

I've spent a considerable amount of time designing this intake and would like to get some feedback on the progress so far.
Will be adding sealed metal inserts for bolt threads and vacuum fittings in all the factory places as well as optional meth injection fittings.


If you're worried about the strength of this, it will support 60+psi of boost and dissipate heat much better than the factory plastic one.

With better air flow and lower temps, it will not only look wayyyyy better than OEM but also increase power and response.

Will be available in multiple colors and maybe even a carbon fiber option.

Pricing is expected to be $600-1000 and available for purchase by April 2018

What do ya'll think? Would you put this on your Z?

Awesome project. Subbed.

Is that Catia?

Looks great, I'd definitely be interested in purchasing.

sub'd to see if there is any NA gains.

What method of 3D printing, and what metal/plastic will be used?

I like the concept, can't wait to see how it comes out

:iagree:

I use SLS laser sintering for my manufacturing 3d printing at work, Nylon powder, glass fill powder, and aluminum powder (and some gov't jobs of course!). We also have traditional filament machines. I'm curious as well on what type of machine you will be producing this from and from what material. I'd be glad to give you any advice (not assuming you need it, just trying to be helpful) on quality prints!

Does the manifold have internal runners or is it just empty logs on each side?

The prototype is being printed with a FDM printer using PLA to reduce costs for testing purposes but the final product material has yet to be determined.
Looking at using Polycarbonate or high temp fiberglass. Possibly just printing a mold that will be more resistant to heat.

I am definitely a fan of SLS printing and would love to have one when they get a bit more affordable or business grows. When time permits I plan on making another version of this that will be broken down into multiple parts and bolted together so I can incorporate carbon fiber elements. A version of this in aluminum would be nice so I'll send you a message and see if there's anything you can contribute.

It has partial fins inside to help direct the air so it's kind of in between

Subd

Would definitely be interested if theres gains to be had with FI.

Are you annealing the part after printing? I'm surprised it'll be able to hold that much pressure otherwise...

Looks awesome!! Do I smell a group buy?

second."if" there is power the NA guys

Is it just me or does the manifold appear to pinch at the front? Wouldn’t this variance in plenum size as it relates to each runner be problematic?

the pinch works.

based on air entering at the rear of the intake (and also specific runner length/diameter come into play) the main air chamber carrying the air needs to shrink due to loss of velocity.

i think i said that correctly.

:wtf2:

FPenvy is correct. The pinch at the front is designed to equalize the pressure in the manifold.
Being that the front intake ports are further away from the throttle bodies, the smaller size will slightly compress the air for the purpose of balancing the air pressure in each cylinder.

Will this be at all compatible with the Stillen Supercharger Kit and/or TopgunZ air-2-air kit at all? Or even...vortech superchargers in general? Or nah?

Won't work the Stillen or TopgunZ supercharger kits. As these kits replace the upper manifold to begin with. The Stillen kit has a water cooled heat exchanger in the manifold. The TopgunZ kit uses the same manifold without the heat exchanger in it.

Damn. Maybe I should buy that when I replace my vortech v3 SCi blower / A2A kit in the faaaar future with a V7-YSi blower then. Since the v7 is already proven to fit in our cars

i will buy this for the future. few years down when i upgrade my blower from v3 SCi to a v7 YSi. that way i can swap out the stillen manifold with this one, and run the v7 YSi.

let us know when you are taking orders :p
I will purchase one and keep it sitting in my room until im ready to upgrade

I definitely will. Should have the first version printed within the next week or two and then do some testing and tuning to get it all dialed in.

Any idea or guesses on how this would fare against the AAM Competition Intake Manifold?
https://www.z1motorsports.com/air-in...hr-p-9139.html

Another manifold thread. Waiting for results from testing. Maybe this could be far superior to the stock waffle with gains all across the board? How are you going to compare the prototype vs the waffle? tuned waffle vs tuned prototype?

NA gains will be minimal with these manifolds, if you're not increasing the rev limiter with supporting mods and bumping up the compression it may not be worth the money. Some guy on here did the aam manifold on his NA set up and gains were not worth the money.

On that same point, it probably won't be worth it on a turbo charged or supercharged motor that is not built as well. I say this because the gains with the other two manifold conversions show great low end and mid range outputs. On a stock block the oem manifold is good enough on the bottom end. My motor is at 560tq and because of that my top end on whp is limited. Seb told me it would make significantly more whp but he can't keep the tq down to do so. Adding a upper manifold at this point would not provide any real benefit other than esthetics.

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I agree. Making power is not an issue with my current setup, the stock block is the limiting factor. I could easily turn the turbo up another 6-8 lbs but it would crater the engine. Unless you have a built block, there’s no reason to go chasing additional ponies other than you just like how it looks.

Yup I agree. But from what I’ve read and correct me if I’m wrong. That this manifold will be beneficial in all aspects of the rev range. I don’t think it will happen and agree 100% on what you’re stating.

Regardless of the outputs, I have seen the Cpt's work and it is very high quality. He brings a reasonably priced functional and ascetically pleasing upgraded to the game. The more choices the better!

Look into carbon fiber reinforced nylon, I follow a guy on Instagram who 3d printed velocity stacks on his time attack Miata with that. IG username is Omgpham

You're still running the stock block? Jebus I thought yours was built lol

All natural, stock block and internals for now!

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Sorry for the long delay but I finally got the first version printed and test fitted.

Going back over it now to make a few modifications and add all of the bolt and vacuum connections.
Plan on having a final working version in the next 2-3 weeks.
Once it has been thoroughly tested then I will be offering a limited number of them for sale.
Price will be around $1,000 each. Some other colors and finishes including carbon will be available in the future.
Since it's a 3 piece design, the plenums will be interchangeable with new finishes as they become available.

These will go quick so if you're interested in getting one then please message me so I know how many I need to have ready. Initial production will be 5-10


(sorry the pics are upside down. damn iphones)

Very interesting. Have you drive the car with it yet and do you feel that there are any gains?


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This one I wasn’t able to drive with but looking forward to a driving version and the dyno results


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subbed

*sub'ed*

looks awesome.. organic like the heart of a monster.