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Was thinking more along the lines of a "send cut send" option. Send the files to a large 3d printing manufacturer of some sort.
Definitely doable. No idea how much that would cost, but I'm sure it would be less than what most good intakes cost now. Then again, having the knowledge and skill to design something better than what is already on store shelves would be a big hurdle for most of us.
Be careful when looking for an LS6 intake because LS1 cars after 2001 (iirc) didnt come with the EGR on the intake. People try to pass those off as LS6 intakes. Make sure you get the right part number for the LS6 intake and you can identify an LS6 intake very easy.
the bottom is FLAT compared to the LS1 with the ridge in the center. see below but pay no mind to the scribble, this was a google image search.
I don't understand why guys aren't 3d printing badass intakes for peanuts at this point.
The costs aren't as cheap as you would think. There are only a few materials that can withstand the heat and exposure to gasoline, and they're ~$60-90/kg or more.
With supports, brims, etc, you're looking at ~5 kg to print.
Most high-quality commercially available printers are 10"x10"x10", with only a few being larger (and unfortunately, with a worse print quality), which leaves most people with custom built unit to be able to print something as large as an intake manifold, even if it is a 2 piece design like a Hi-Ram.
I recently sent a design of mine to a company that will print objects for you out of almost any material (including metals). They quoted me $900 for a Nylon intake manifold and $1700 to have it printed out of aluminum.
One thing that most don't consider is Lost-PLA casting, but its not for a novice. PLA (the standard printer filament) completely burns away when super heated, so it works great for printing objects and then sand casting them out of aluminum. An entire intake manifold could be printed in sections with PLA for $50 or less, snapped together, pressed in sand and cast in aluminum.
Last edited by AwesomeAuto; Jan 24, 2025 at 11:42 AM.
Be careful when looking for an LS6 intake because LS1 cars after 2001 (iirc) didnt come with the EGR on the intake. People try to pass those off as LS6 intakes. Make sure you get the right part number for the LS6 intake and you can identify an LS6 intake very easy.
the bottom is FLAT compared to the LS1 with the ridge in the center. see below but pay no mind to the scribble, this was a google image search.
I just need to clarify this for folks, as it's a misleading statement.
ALL 2001-2002 LS1 F-bodies came with LS6 intakes STOCK. It is correct that the 2001+ cars don't have EGR, but they DO, in fact, have an actual LS6 intake from the factory. This is NOT a scam.
What you are thinking about are the 1997-00 C5s, which also didn't come with EGR but still used a basic LS1 intake that just wasn't tapped for the EGR tube. Those are the intakes that unscrupulous folks might try to pass off as an LS6 (due to lack of EGR), and those are the ones you want to avoid.
Any LS1 engine, C5 or F-body, from 2001 forward came from the factory with an LS6 intake.
Really? Where are the budget LS6 manifolds you speak of? Every one I see selling them wants aftermarket intake prices. (genuinely curious, not being an ***).
Eh, not necessarily. $500ish is much cheaper than the FAST stuff even used, and the LS6 performs, hence why I said what I said.
Saving a few hundred is definitely the budget way for how the way things are at the moment.
This guy here said the same and it's the same I've been seeing for a while now.
Originally Posted by 1988montecarloss
ive sold a few ls6 in the $500-550 range which is a lot cheaper than new dorman or fast, and cheaper than used FAST as well as people think theyre worth $850 used lol
However, with that being said you want budget just keep tabs on what's forsale in the local area. While back I snagged a LS6 Intake from a 2001 Corvette LS1, paid $100. Guy posted it up as a LS1 Intake because in his words, it came from an LS1. Didn't look at the part number or anything and had pics of all sides. No EGR flat bottom, winner winner chicken dinner. I flipped that one for some beer money and other stuff.
3 weeks ago there was another one from a 2004 GTO, with Injectors and Rails, guy wanted $200. If I wasn't busy that day I would had made the 3 hour round trip to get it.
The one on my 6.0l in my SS I traded a case of beer for. That's budget.
Last edited by the_merv; Jan 24, 2025 at 09:05 PM.
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