first, i guess i should have a small introduction. i'm currently a college student studying to be an auto tech and welder (duel major) and working on a 1961 gmc with a 305 v6 engine. OK... now I've done some searching and haven't found any real definitive stuff on fabbing a sheet metal intake(mostly leave it to the pros...). now i know this engine is not going to have massive HP but i would like some performance gains and i would really like an upgrade form the one barrel holly carb that is on it now.
now from the little i have gathered the flanges seem to be the hardest parts to get a hold of, lucky me my school has a sweet machining course with a CNC mill as well as an excellent auto cad program, so i have had the flanges made (used the new intake gaskets as a template). i have also used the old intake manifold to make a jig. im going to be using mild steel and MIGing it:
1. because i have access to the welder
2. its easier
3. weight is not a factor
4. its not a bleeding edge, need to milk out another 5hp project
5. they don't make after market performance parts for a 305 V6
6. it looks wicked cool
that all being said how can i net the most gain from this, i am thinking about a cross flow design the only considerations i have are the total height with a carb and air cleaner and the width of the plenum since it has the plugs in the valley. i would like to be able to change them without pulling the intake.
now what considerations should i take in regards to the runner length?
can the be too long?
too short?
i will most likely be running a 2 or 4 barrel carb but nothing too radical, recommendations(low profile will probably be necessary)?
is there such a thing as to much flow?
i'm probably going have the manifold powder or ceramic coated once i have it finished, any preference or performance issues i should take into account?
im looking for a net of ~20hp but anything over stock will be awesome
also i want to eventually convert it over to EFI should i make considerations for the placement of the injector bungs?
i have looked at http://theoldone.com/ and they did give me some info but i was wondering if any one here had anything more. also i have used http://www.6066gmcguy.org/ as basically my bible concerning this engine/truck combo
now i know this is rather jumbled but im just trying to see if i have overlooked or have completely missed something due to ignorance
thank you in advance
five-oh
now from the little i have gathered the flanges seem to be the hardest parts to get a hold of, lucky me my school has a sweet machining course with a CNC mill as well as an excellent auto cad program, so i have had the flanges made (used the new intake gaskets as a template). i have also used the old intake manifold to make a jig. im going to be using mild steel and MIGing it:
1. because i have access to the welder
2. its easier
3. weight is not a factor
4. its not a bleeding edge, need to milk out another 5hp project
5. they don't make after market performance parts for a 305 V6
6. it looks wicked cool
that all being said how can i net the most gain from this, i am thinking about a cross flow design the only considerations i have are the total height with a carb and air cleaner and the width of the plenum since it has the plugs in the valley. i would like to be able to change them without pulling the intake.
now what considerations should i take in regards to the runner length?
can the be too long?
too short?
i will most likely be running a 2 or 4 barrel carb but nothing too radical, recommendations(low profile will probably be necessary)?
is there such a thing as to much flow?
i'm probably going have the manifold powder or ceramic coated once i have it finished, any preference or performance issues i should take into account?
im looking for a net of ~20hp but anything over stock will be awesome
also i want to eventually convert it over to EFI should i make considerations for the placement of the injector bungs?
i have looked at http://theoldone.com/ and they did give me some info but i was wondering if any one here had anything more. also i have used http://www.6066gmcguy.org/ as basically my bible concerning this engine/truck combo
now i know this is rather jumbled but im just trying to see if i have overlooked or have completely missed something due to ignorance
thank you in advance
five-oh