In the thread on custom parts, one of the requests was for a dual plenum intake for the 2.8 V6. I came up with an idea, did a rough sketch model, worked with my suppliers, and am close to putting the parts into production.
The intakes will be a bolt-on part. Each plenum is a four-part fabriacted assembly - fully TIG-welded.
You'll have to remove the middle intake, drill the mounting holes out, bolt the plenums to it, and reinstall the assembly back on the car. You'll need another throttle body too, and whatever type of air induction/filter you choose.
What I need to know, by a show of hands, is how much interest there is in this, so I can develop the final pricing. Pricing depends on quantity. I can make two or them or two hundred...
I am not asking for a commitment, or deposits. I just want an idea of how much serious interest there is; and how much posisibly/someday/if I hit the "number" interest...
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[This message has been edited by toddshotrods (edited 08-15-2007).]
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11:41 PM
PFF
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mtownfiero Member
Posts: 1779 From: Mansfield, Mass Registered: Mar 2007
I thought about trying to do this myself but i dont have the tools or skill. Depending on the price im really interested especially if it gets the much needed improved airflow the stock intake doesnt allow.
I should have the pricing worked out tomorrow. I have the quotes from my suppliers, and just have to go over everything with a fine toothed comb to make sure I'm not missing anything. So far it's right where I had hoped it would be...
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12:19 AM
ceverhart Member
Posts: 240 From: haven ks usa Registered: Apr 2004
the tubes are the easy part of this. are you going to supply stuff for the vacuum accessories? for me, I'd like to see a center balancing tube, which also has all the vacuum stuff working of it. trying to remember all the things that need vacuum: brake booster, PCV, cruise control & MAP is all I am remembering.... also - the EGR & IAC systems and, will you have a suggested throttle body sizes & sources? most folk will be around 200 HP's, and 2 X 52mm throttle bodies is a bit oversized. and a linkage system for the throttle cable, cruise control cable & auto trans downshift cable? the tubes are the easy part of this.
I'm not interested, but I was thinking one thing that might make it more tempting is if you didn't have to drill out the bolt holes on the middle intake. That keeps you from having to replace the middle intake should you ever decide to go back to original.
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09:35 AM
toddshotrods Member
Posts: 1177 From: Columbus, OH, USA Registered: Aug 2004
the tubes are the easy part of this. are you going to supply stuff for the vacuum accessories? for me, I'd like to see a center balancing tube, which also has all the vacuum stuff working of it. trying to remember all the things that need vacuum: brake booster, PCV, cruise control & MAP is all I am remembering.... also - the EGR & IAC systems and, will you have a suggested throttle body sizes & sources? most folk will be around 200 HP's, and 2 X 52mm throttle bodies is a bit oversized. and a linkage system for the throttle cable, cruise control cable & auto trans downshift cable? the tubes are the easy part of this.
That's what I am working on today to develop a price.
As for the TB's, they will use two stock throttle bodies. Yes, it may be a bit oversized but this combination has been run successfully by other members. The goal, as per the original request for this part, was for a simple swap that would take away some of the restriction, and add a lot to the under hood appearance of the engine.
There will be provision for the vacuum accerssories. As for engine management, one TB is hooked up as stock, and is installed there as an "air valve" of sorts. This set up is a compromise, it is not an all-out performance dyno-proven part. To develop this part, I read this thread in its entirety and followed what had been done successfully by other Fiero owners, hoping to make some improvements along the way.
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[This message has been edited by toddshotrods (edited 08-15-2007).]
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09:58 AM
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toddshotrods Member
Posts: 1177 From: Columbus, OH, USA Registered: Aug 2004
I'm not interested, but I was thinking one thing that might make it more tempting is if you didn't have to drill out the bolt holes on the middle intake. That keeps you from having to replace the middle intake should you ever decide to go back to original.
My original version was like that, but someone suggested the "drill-and-bolt-from-the-bottom" concept. When I considered it I found that this really took a lot of fabrication work out of making the intakes - which means they'll be cheaper. The savings in fabrication would easily pay for a spare middle intake.
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[This message has been edited by toddshotrods (edited 08-15-2007).]
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10:01 AM
88White3.4GT Member
Posts: 1604 From: Hayward, CA Registered: Dec 2003
looks good, how about burning chips and tuning with this setup? A good dyno on a stock motor / compared to that same motor with this setup would more than likely seal the deal among buyers.
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01:20 PM
toddshotrods Member
Posts: 1177 From: Columbus, OH, USA Registered: Aug 2004
Thanks. I am but a small piece of the puzzle. There are some very capable guys around here for burning the chips, and hopefully someone will be willing to put their car on the dyno to see what it does. I'll do whatever I can to help develop it fully though.
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01:39 PM
88White3.4GT Member
Posts: 1604 From: Hayward, CA Registered: Dec 2003
its good that there are other possibilities besides the trueleo intake *which is a great intake setup*, but more competition in the market, and different possible setups are great.
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01:58 PM
topher_time Member
Posts: 3231 From: Bailey's Harbor, for now. Registered: Sep 2005
oo! oo! over here! count my brother (merlot566jka) in too. are these made with the correct length and size intake runners and tb bore size and all the other math stuff needed for designing intakes? my brother could give u a bunch of good info on all that since he cant do anything in alaska but read 60* v6 books....pm him
[This message has been edited by americasfuture2k (edited 08-15-2007).]
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02:52 PM
David DeVoe Member
Posts: 1358 From: Grand Blanc, MI US Registered: Jul 2001
I've seen this done and talked to the builder. It works very well and has, in my opinion only one drawback and that is that a portion of the decklid has to be removed to clear the forward TB. Other than that its a flatout winner, and from everything I've seen the 2 TB's are not to much.
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04:19 PM
Raydar Member
Posts: 40730 From: Carrollton GA. Out in the... country. Registered: Oct 1999
My original version was like that, but someone suggested the "drill-and-bolt-from-the-bottom" concept. When I considered it I found that this really took a lot of fabrication work out of making the intakes - which means they'll be cheaper. The savings in fabrication would easily pay for a spare middle intake.
Ever think about square tubing?
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05:03 PM
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toddshotrods Member
Posts: 1177 From: Columbus, OH, USA Registered: Aug 2004
Originally posted by Will: Ever think about square tubing?
Actually, I did. I made the decision for round tube trying to design a part that would appeal to and meet the needs of the general populace. I think I understand correctly that appearance, and user friendliness, is a bigger priority than those last few tenths of performance potential. With that in mind I tried to develop something that would give a modest performance improvement (due to less restriction), and a huge smile when the deck lid is raised.
That being said, I would love to work with some of you guys (after this one is on the shelves) on a performance version. My guess is the cost will be higher and the installation will be more complicated, but...
I would also love to hear your thoughts on a square version Will
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05:13 PM
pswayne Member
Posts: 1282 From: Lawrenceville, GA USA Registered: Sep 2006
Somebody in our club (GA Fiero Club) has the exact setup you are talking about (2 round tubes, 2 throttle bodies) on his car (with 3.4 engine). I should have taken a picture at our club meeting this past Saturday. It was a nice looking setup.
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05:27 PM
toddshotrods Member
Posts: 1177 From: Columbus, OH, USA Registered: Aug 2004
Probably one of the ones that inspired this whole project. It wasn't my idea, it was a request; and those who had gone before were pointed to for inspiration.
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05:37 PM
F-I-E-R-O Member
Posts: 8410 From: Endwell, NY Registered: Jan 2005
Originally posted by toddshotrods: I would also love to hear your thoughts on a square version Will
Something about a square version appeals to me more than the tubed. In my mind it seems to fit the style of a Fiero, and looks more performance/agressive than round pipes sitting on top of the engine. The thing that sticks in my mind the most about the squared version is that I fell in love with this:
Though the more I think of it, this isn't really all that bad- especially if it's nice and shiny...
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05:48 PM
PaulJK Member
Posts: 6638 From: Los Angeles Registered: Oct 2001
You should read FrancisT's thread regarding the development of the Truelo manifold. It took A LOT of effort to develop and test it, but a lot of people bought and like it. I hope yours turns out well . I like the rectangular ones better, but skip the huge "fiero" lettering and let people put what thy want on them . They would probably be better for clearance with the rear hatch too.
[This message has been edited by PaulJK (edited 08-15-2007).]
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06:16 PM
Aug 16th, 2007
crytical point Member
Posts: 569 From: sanford FL USA Registered: Feb 2006
That round tube pic above IS the guy from Georgia. He drove that car from Georgia to Michigan to attend the MFC show last month and I had a chance to talk to him about it. Very interesting guy and probably someone you should talk to about this.
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10:45 AM
fierofool Member
Posts: 12814 From: Auburn, Georgia USA Registered: Jan 2002
I think this is the one pswayne is speaking of. I'm looking at the way the wires, intake hose, and other things are positioned, and they look identical to Tim's 85GT from Columbus, Ga.
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12:49 PM
Formula88 Member
Posts: 53788 From: Raleigh NC Registered: Jan 2001
Round would be the most efficient shape for airflow, but that doesn't take any other considerations into account. Transition between the plenums and runners is more difficult with round tubing, and is a potenial spot for lost flow.
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01:50 PM
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Philphine Member
Posts: 6136 From: louisville,ky. usa Registered: Feb 2000
it wouldn't be as convenient runner wise, but aesthecticly i'd need to have them face the front of the car. more like if you took a stock upper, closed off the end and had two inlets kind of branching out toward the rear window. all my car projects have the scoops in front of the rear wheels or over the top scoops and being able to use both left and right as intakes would appeal to me more.
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02:15 PM
Aug 17th, 2007
toddshotrods Member
Posts: 1177 From: Columbus, OH, USA Registered: Aug 2004
Originally posted by Mr.PBody: If you could give us some idea on price that would help weed out buyers.
quote
Originally posted by toddshotrods: I should have the pricing worked out tomorrow. I have the quotes from my suppliers, and just have to go over everything with a fine toothed comb to make sure I'm not missing anything. So far it's right where I had hoped it would be...
I apologize for the delay. I have been going over the numbers and trying to mentally run through the process to find the little things that I may have missed, and the problems that can surface.
I am trying to do this for $600. That price would include two complete plenums that are fully TIG-welded, with a natural aluminum finish, and include the necessary ports for your vacuum accessories; and the throttle linkage to connect the two throttle bodies.
I am working on a few options to sell will the intakes. The main items are a matching, TIG-welded, vacuum can; and custom brackets for the accessories that are located near the intakes.
I can't guarantee that price yet, but so far it's working on paper. Are we in the ballpark???
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[This message has been edited by toddshotrods (edited 08-17-2007).]
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10:38 AM
TT Slick Member
Posts: 135 From: Columbus, Georgia Registered: Dec 2004
A few things that everyone should be aware of about the intake pictured above. 1. It has no hot water hook-up, there are no lines that run to the thermo. housing. I live in Georgia and have never had a problem with iceing. 2. There is no provision for EGR. I live south of Atlanta and we don't have emisions testing, yet. 3. The vacuum canister has been eliminated, although this could be used because the vacuum points still exists under the throttle body and are still functional. Just some points to ponder. One other thing is I had to modify the deck lid for throttle hook-up, although, this could be solved by making the hook-up next to the "out board" or rear throttle body.
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11:08 AM
Aug 18th, 2007
ceverhart Member
Posts: 240 From: haven ks usa Registered: Apr 2004
Originally posted by ceverhart: I am in for sure at that price, let me know when you are ready.
quote
Originally posted by Fiero1Fan: I am interested in both the round and square.
Round tube is the only thing on the agenda right now, The square is a thought and possibility for the future but, honestly, any more work on this depends on how well the first version sells. I am okay with selling only a couple of them, but that would definitely negate the logic of doing another version.
quote
Originally posted by Coinage: What were you going to do for where the tube meets the lower part on the inside of the tube?
The intake ports on the plenum's base plate will be fully radiused. My understanding is that the biggest disturbance inside would be the air making an abrupt transition into the ports due to them having square leading edges. I decided early on to only offer the radiused port edges. As for the sides of the base plate that protrude into the plenum, I was considering extending the leading edge of the base plate a bit, and tapering it off so that it creates a ramp instead of an abrupt dead end for the incoming air.
Any well-versed types or experts on this issue, I am listening and open to suggestions that I can make, which will not increase the price of the product. The number one goal here was to offer a decent product for a reasonable price for people who purchased and drive budget sports cars. Changes in the model that do not require additional CNC set up time during the machining process are the type of improvements we're looking for; e.g. subtle changes to the shapes that improve the performance and/or aesthetics.
edited for typos - again... ------------------ toddshotrods.com - wanna ride? crazy projects, features, articles, art & more
[This message has been edited by toddshotrods (edited 08-19-2007).]
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09:15 PM
Aug 19th, 2007
PaulJK Member
Posts: 6638 From: Los Angeles Registered: Oct 2001
Originally posted by toddshotrods: Round tube is the only thing on the agenda right now, The square is a thought and possibility for the future but, honestly, any more work on this depends on how well the first version sells. I am okay with selling only a couple of them, but that would definitely negates the logic of doing another version.