Well........curiosity got the cat I'm afraid. I just HAD to see the inside of an LS7 intake. I figured this would be helpful to others on this site as well. Note the date on the runner wall.











These manifolds are a slick modular design similar to the FAST intakes. This manifold did not have a part number on it.

Richard

 

Awesome pic's Richard! So exactly how long are the intake runners?

The date looks like 10-2-03?

 

Sorry John.......forgot to include the runner length. Measuring down the runner centerline, the runner is 11.0" in length.
Your correct about the born on date. I'm guessing this is a pre production part?

Richard

 

Interesting...

Where did you get it from?

Looks very similar to the current FAST intake.

 

How hard was it opening it up? Thanks for the pics.

 

Yes, I thought the runners looked pretty short. How does the runner length compare to the LS1-style manifolds?

 

Curious, did you take this off a production LS7 engine?
Is that epoxy on the brake booster elbow in the pic with the date visible?

What's odd is that recessed "pocket" right behind the TB opening showing on the first pic.

 

It doesn't appear that these intakes are welded together like the LS6 and truck intakes. This is the only LS7 intake I have in the shop right now but I've heard that the production manifolds have screws on the bottom holding them together like this one. This intake came apart fairly easy. I suspect it was taken apart once before. I'm not sure how the inside of this intake will vary from the rest but I figured since I had the opportunity to share this we all might learn something.

Richard

 

Thank you for posting.

Based on your observations, does this intake look robust enough to be used for forced induction? Since it's not 'welded' I am slightly concerned how tough it will be when 20 psi is thrown at it (having not seen one).

Thanks again!

 

I was wondering about the epoxy in the last picture too... whats up with that?

 

Hope it is better than the LS2. It looks very similar in design but the LS2 was "welded".

 

Has anyone ever carefully disected an LS1 manifold this same way? Just cut along the joints where it is fused together. ?

 

so whats similar/different between this and the F.A.S.T. intake? and was the F.A.S.T. out before Oct 2003? i wonder if there was a little reverse engineering on somebody's part.

 

hmmm..... interesting

 

I just have to ask/propose the obvious: Can the L92 manifold be dissected in a similar manner? I.e. is it welded, or perhaps like the LS7, just epoxied together?

If so, the issues of the too-tall-for-an-f-body manifold and long runners optimized for midrange torque are a very simple fix.

And of course in a perfect world, one would just be able to take the center and top sections of the LS7 manifold and slap them onto the L92 bottom section, mated to those gorgeous heads.

Ah, what dreams may come?

 

Looks like my LSX. I wonder who was actually first to design?

 

it was probably from a prototype run. my buddy works at 3d design services and they sometimes make a handful of a part for pre production projects. they have a ls1 manifold hanging on the wall from 1996.

 

How are those prototype intakes glued together? Do they use a mild glue like silicone? Isn't 3D Design located here in Cali? I for one am impressed with the layout of this intake..........
Some have questioned the epoxy on the vacuum tube. I far as I can see, it's just holding the tube in place. Perhaps it was broken off when the intake was originally separated? I reinspected the inside of the intake and there is absolutely no epoxy anywhere inside. I'll try and get some pics of the intake fitted to the heads. This intake will provide some perspective when bolting up to the standard LS7 or other heads.

Richard

 

Great info Richard, Do you happen to know:
1. Port dimensions at the head
2. Plenum volume
3. Runner taper
4. Runner volume

Thanks in advance!

 

that looks nice ;D i would like more details/pics plz