Intake Manifold

For your car's engine to work at its best, fuel-air mixture should be evenly distributed among the engine's cylinders. And that's what the intake manifold does. The intake manifold directs air-fuel mixture from the throttle body to the plenum. The plenum, in turn, feeds the mixture into lines leading to each of the engine's cylinders. The even distribution of combustion mixture to each cylinder head ensures that the engine's capacities are maximized. The intake manifold also serves as a supporting structure for other engine parts, such as the carburetor and the fuel injectors. Despite this manifold's usefulness, though, frequent exposure to fluids and pressure makes it prone to corrosion. When that happens, your best option is to replace the damaged intake manifold with a new unit. When it comes to the right replacement, Carparts is a site you can depend on. Here, you can definitely find the best replacement intake manifolds at the cheapest prices online.


• Distributes the combustion mixture evenly to each intake port in the cylinder head

• Available in cast iron, aluminum, or plastic

• Comes with all the hardware needed for easy installation
 

• The intake manifold is a series of tubes that deliver air from the air filter and through the throttle body and onto the engine.
• Some intake manifolds mount on top of the engine and are obvious to the naked eye. However, simplification of the engine bay through the years resulted in intake manifolds being mounted on the sides or at the back of the engine block.
• The intake manifold is the last stop before the air reaches the engine. Its main task is to distribute the air and fuel mixture to each of the engine’s cylinders.
• There are dual-plane and single-plane intake manifolds that differ in the number of plenums they use.
• Coolant leak, engine overheating, and engine misfiring are the symptoms of a failing intake manifold you need to be aware of.
• OE intake manifold replacements on

An appropriately designed manifold can do wonders for your car engine's performance. However, choosing the right one for your ride can get tricky, what with all the types sold in the market these days. Read on to know more about the common types of intake manifold according to layout, height, material, and built as well as the applications that best suit each design:

A single plane manifold basically has one hole in the plenum. It offers less restriction for the air flow and has a power range of 3000 to 8000 RPM. This type is best suited for race cars.

A dual plane has a split plenum opening and has a wider power range which starts at 1500 RPM. It's best used on an engine used for mild racing and street racing.

Basically, a low rise intake manifold fits better under the hood, while a high rise type may require adjustments to fit. Compared to a low rise, a high rise manifold offers more horsepower and is suited for a higher RPM range and wider power band.

A tunnel ram is a more extreme version of a high rise manifold. This type is designed for engines that require high RPMs and plenty of horsepower. It's best suited for professional car racing engines.

Many cars today use a plastic manifold because this type is lightweight and can be easily cast for better airflow. However, it'll easily break if the engine backfires. As for aluminum, it's definitely heavier than plastic but it's more durable. It can also be easily polished, coated, plated, and modified according to specific needs. For heavy-duty use and longer-lasting performance, it's best to go for an aluminum intake manifold.

A customized intake manifold can be molded from billet aluminum or hand-built using an aluminum sheet. Whichever the case, a custom-designed manifold can cost thousands of dollars. If you're a serious racer looking for extra horsepower, investing in a customized manifold is a good choice.

If you're a regular Joe looking for a simple replacement, then go for a mass-produced manifold that's more budget-friendly. When it comes to durability, many brands today offer affordable cast manifolds that won't easily give in to wear and tear.

When shopping for an intake manifold, don't forget to take note of your car engine's part number and design as these factors can also affect the type of manifold that'll fit just right. It's also best to do some research first on the most popular brands that offer high-quality manifolds. By arming yourself with the right information, you should be able to choose the right intake manifold without too much of a hassle.

Have you been experiencing sluggish engine performance and rough idling? One possible cause is a dirty intake manifold. Over time, carbon deposits and grime can pile up on its surface and tubes, blocking the passageway for the air and fuel mixture. To remove carbon deposits and keep your engine in top condition, here's how:

1. Intake cleaner
2. Socket/ wrench set
3. Degreaser
4. Scraper or putty knife
5. Needle nose pliers
6. Rags
7. Corks
8. New intake manifold gasket
9. Screw driver

Step 1: Park the car on a level ground, preferably inside a garage. Let the engine cool down completely before starting any work.

Step 2: Using the right socket, disconnect the cables from the battery.

Step 3: Drain out the coolant and detach the hoses using the right screw driver.

Step 4: Remove the vacuum hoses attached to the intake manifold. Take note of the proper connection ports for easier reinstallation.

Step 5: Disconnect the following parts using the appropriate socket, wrench, or screw driver:

• Fuel lines (to prevent fuel from leaking into the engine compartment, stick corks into the end of the tube)
• Wiring connections on the carburetor)
• Air ducts (unbolt it from within the exhaust manifold)

Step 6: Unbolt the intake manifold by using the right socket wrench. Carefully lift it off from the engine block.

Step 7: Plug lint-free rags into the various engine ports and scrape off the gasket with a putty knife.

Step 8: Get rid of carbon deposits by wiping the intake manifold with a rag soaked in intake cleaner. With the help of a scraper, pry off the remaining deposits. Once the grime is removed, wipe the manifold again with the cleaner-soaked rag.

Step 9: After cleaning the manifold, install the new gasket and torque it in place.

Step 10: Attach the newly cleaned manifold back in place by following the same bolt arrangement. Make sure the manifold and gasket are aligned properly.

Step 11: Install all the other parts you removed under step 5 by bolting or plugging them back in place.

Step 12: Drive your car to see if the manifold has been properly installed.

Goggles should be worn to prevent the intake cleaner from getting into the eyes. When bolting down the intake plenum, start at the middle to lessen the chances of misalignment and warping.