Backwards Intake Manifold

[turbojustin]

Has anyone ever tried to install their intake manifold backwards (with the inlet toward the front of the car)? I was thinking about trying this in order to make more room for an intercooler install. I currently have a spearco intercooler kit, but the pipes have very tight clearance toward the firewall and the pipes are very long. Any thoughts on this. I believe it is possible.

 

[WFO]

i don't think that'd work so well...

just have it ported like so:

http://www.iwinengineering.com/images/P8310114.jpg
http://www.iwinengineering.com/images/P8310109.jpg
http://www.iwinengineering.com/images/P8310105.jpg

but realize that you should also port the heads at the same time.

later,sean

 

[turbojustin]

Why wouldn't it work so well? I would keep the turbo where it is, just flip the intake and run some pipes.

 

[WFO]

first,how would you run your top radiator hose?

then the question of the fuel rail and having to modify your wiring harness to reach your sensors.

if you've got everything apart and on an engine stand mock it up and see if anything lines up...

later,sean

 

[REDS HOT AIR]

it will bolt on backwards but like said all sensors and the rad hose will be at the firewall

 

[TRiv]

I agree, it can be mounted backwards, went out to garage , have engine on stand with manifold loose and tried, unfortunatly you will have all kinds of other trouble. In addition to the above, Manifold hits a temp sensor on back of block, hood clearance will be a problem, headers and up pipes will not work, cam sensor will probably cook, fuel line will need re-routed, throttle body linkage will need changed, there is probably more. Sorry for all the bad news.

 

[turbojustin]

Maybe you misunderstood what I originally posted. If the only thing changed was the intake being flipped how could there be hood clearance problems? The turbo would still be in the original position. Why would the headers/up pipe not work and why would the cam sensor cook? What temp sensor is on the back of the block? I thought the knock sensor was on the back of the block.

Maybe I can better explain myself...In theory, I would flip the intake, keep the turbo where it is (close to the firewall), but reclock in order to intercool it. I would run a new oil return line and also a new line for the upper radiator hose. Possibly, I would have to rewire some sensors and fabricate a new mount for the driver side turbo/throttlebody.

I think I should do this just to show you guys how great a rigger I can be.

 

[6SENSE]

Now Im really confused

 

[cool 84]

While it's physically possible to do what you're saying, it's not worth the hassle. The length of the IC plumbing has no bad effects on anything. It doesn't make a bit of difference on lag. I have 3" plumbing from the turbo to the back of the intake. There's plenty room if you make your own elbow for the back of the intake and angle it SLIGHTLY towards the firewall.

 

[BLACK Ttype]

cool

How exactly did you make your elbow for the back of the intake manifold? Would you be interested in making one for others?

 

[TRiv]

Ok, I think I understand now, if just the manifold is turned but leave turbo and pipes in original location, no hood clearance problem , and up/down pipes would be ok. Unfortunatly since the fuel rail must remain in same location in relationship to the manifold ( fuel regulator next to thermostat), the fuel regulator would be sitting right under the the turbine (hot) side of the turbo if mounted this way, could be dangerous. Anyway, the manifold will bolt up in reverse, that's as far as I can help, the rest you would have to try to see what would work,"cool84" has good advice.

 

[cool 84]

Re: cool

Originally posted by BLACK Ttype
How exactly did you make your elbow for the back of the intake manifold? Would you be interested in making one for others?

For the adaptor, I went to a pipe scrapyard and found a cast aluminum elbow with a pretty gradual bend. It's about 2.75"ID. With the manifold off the car I removed the EGR floor and opened up the inlet to 3" all the way. I ground down the back of the opening of the intake to angle the elbow towards the firewall just slightly. I installed the manifold onto the motor and marked exactly how it had to face and then had it welded on. It's a permanent mod but only costs ~$20 if you have a grinder.

It's amazing what just a slight angle toward the back of the car will do for clearance. Before, the Spearco adaptor barely fit. Now, I have a 3.25"OD elbow that sticks up a lot taller than the spearco and clearance isn't an issue even with the TE64.