Modifying cast aluminum intake

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

I have LT1 350 in my Camaro, and have thought about using other ones for future projects. But I would like it to either be a tunnel ram or a high rise single plane.

I have the factory LT1 intake, and had the thought of. What if I cut away the top portion, and weld a high runner portion I need from another manifold.

This way I can avoid drilling my intake manifold to match, and running 2 sets of gaskets to seal her up. Plus the $2500 dollar custom sheet manifold cost.

Has anyone tried such a endeavor or welded that much cast aluminum together?

[SunSoaked]

You would be amazed at what I've done with JB Weld.

[Tom]

First off, we have 3 different LT1's now in camaros. A gen I, gen 2, and LS based motor.
They make tunnel rams for the 1st one. For the others, not so sure. But sure if the manifolds are both aluminum you can cut, grind and weld away.

[AussieinNC]

As you didnt indicate which LT1 engine you were considering so here are my thoughts on each variant.

There are tunnel rams available for Gen 1, 350 SBC

Gen 2 350 SBC could be made to work with a lot of effort.

Gen 3 LS based engines are super high dollar conversions to get a tunnel ram to work and why would you bother.

Tunnel rams are used essentially from 2800 rpm to 8000 rpm and are usually found in drag racing engines and other high performance engines. I have seen them installed on street cars but they usually dont provide the driveability that a dual plane manifold can provide.

Street cars need torque and dual plane manifolds work best...single plane manifolds will work on some street cars but they need more work to get the going.

LS engines are designed to be fuel injected...but you can get carb based manifolds for them, but they are available in single and dual plane designs...

So there it is in a nutshell....you need to put the correct manifold on an engine depending on what the intended use of that engine will be...

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Originally Posted by Tom

First off, we have 3 different LT1's now in camaros. A gen I, gen 2, and LS based motor.
They make tunnel rams for the 1st one. For the others, not so sure. But sure if the manifolds are both aluminum you can cut, grind and weld away.

It is for the 92+ LT1 engine. My personal favorite of the 3.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Originally Posted by SunSoaked

You would be amazed at what I've done with JB Weld.

It would be neat if JB was capable of this modification.

Although it would be useful to smear over the welds to make sure they are sealed. So you don't have issues with vacuum leaks or uncontrolled idling due to vacuum leaks.