Been wanting a custom cross ram intake , but can't afford a few thousand$$. So here,s my lowest budget hairbrain idea. Cut apart a stock ls1 intake to leave the first 2 to3" of each intake runner exposed.Then connect a high quality silicone rubber connector to each of thefactory runners.Then connect my handmade aluminum runners to total 12 to 13" length. The runners will be welded to approx 3" pipes on each side which I will make merge back into 1 throttle body inlet. will look similar to performance design intake on link.
http://performancedesignllc.com/xr/
Anyone think this is possible, Have tig &fab skills.
Not sure if cutting & using ls1 nylon intake is possible without trying, hopefully I can get 1 or 2 for really cheap locally. My 2nd thought would be using part of an efi victor jr manifold. Thoughts???

 

Sounds like a cool project. Do it and see how it turns out.

 

That cross ram intake is way sick... Please do it.

 

Sure try it, LS1 intakes are cheap anyways so you wont invest much into it

 

Just an idea, but you can buy aluminum intake manifold flanges for about $50.

 

just thinking the same thing...

 

Wow, that looks awesome! I could use one of those....

 

Definate cool out of the box stuff...i think it was hot rod mag or one of them where i saw an ls7 crossram prototype that looked trick...i have always really like the manifold on an lt5 vette

 

Thought about buying aluminum flanges also, Would need them with the injector bungs also.Anybody got a site for those?
Part of the reason I,m thinking about seeing if I can cut & splice into the factory manifolds is budget reasons, so I can use the same injectors , fuel rails, & factory type of gasket.
Most of the reason for the project is looks, But i,d also like to make the same power I,d make with a new fast truck manifold. I need the intake higher up anyways for my (4 butterfly supercharger style air intake ), Which you will see through my custom hood scoop.
Also considering using polished stainless if I,m splicing into another manifold with rubber connectors .
Nobody has an affordable truely cool looking powerful ls1 intake on the market yet. I figure if I can do one on a low budget, even though labor will be intensive, others will follow.
Right now i,m just collecting info & thoughts from those who may know more than me. May have to ask an industry expert for advice on actual shape & sizing of runners & plenum, I,m thinkin 12" length roughly for my internally stock ls1. Any good thoughts are appreciated.
maybe a manufacturer can jump in & build an affordable version.-Hint hint

 

Update on this project with possibly trying to splice into nylon ls1 intake with connectors. As low down as I can go to the intake port & still connect to , it is D-shaped up from the cathedral shape it starts out as.
Originally figured on making slighty curved rectangular runners approx 12" long. Since the port is D-shaped , looking into just using round tubing of the appropriate size & making it D-shaped where it will connect &round the rest of the length. Will definitely make bellmouths {velocity stacks} where the runners will go into the plenums.
Wondering if anybody has any good info or opinions about flow rate through a pipe as far as rectangular, d-shape or round is concerned.??
Trying to base my runner sizing more on knowledge rather than all out guessing.

 

Sub'd.

Do you have any pics of the LS1 intake cut open? I'm curious what it looks like in there.

 

I'll Post something in the next few weeks when I get time again. I cut my ls1 intake down to the first 3" coming from the cathedral shaped openings. They are partially d-shaped there, fully d shaped further on.

 

Took the project back out the box & started ROUGH mock up with stainless pipe instead of the hammerformed aluminum runner idea. Abs pipe for plenums & plumbing connectors for visual mock up only . Plenums will likely be hand formed 20 ga stainless sheet with a 2 into 1 connector.
I know the final product will be a little heavy, but hopefully the power will more than make up for it & the polished stainless look will be killer.

 

Very cool idea I am looking forward to seeing your progress and how this turns out.

 

HO-LY SMOKES! I'm loving it man! Heck yea. Cant wait to see more.

 

Nice. I love it

 

I'm sure you may have considered it, but a BBK alloy intake might be a great starting point for your runners. It already has the fuel injector bosses at least.

 

Was going to make an all aluminum intake originally, but figured a cut up $25 ls1 intake would still retain most of it's insulating properties.

Also if I did decide to fully weld up an all aluminum manifold starting with an alloy base, I'd probably really need a mock up engine to bolt it too for most of the welding process to avoid warping.

If the nylon base doesn't work out, then probably an edelbrock efi intake would be the lowest cost option to chop up . It's still a backup plan.

 

Very cool. This kinda thinking is what makes this site what it is. I'd bet that because it breathes better, will make more peak power & possibly under the curve, as well. Should allow you to run more timing; similar to the carb LS1 set ups. Carb guys can run more timing than the more restrictive nylon intakes can. Am not exactly sure why, but it's likely due to less restrictive flow.

 

This is a really cool project. I can't wait to see what you end up with!