98 intake manifold worth swapping?

[Tycarver]

The Intake/exhaust gasket on my 4.0 has burned out. So I will be pulling the intake manifold, I have a horse shoe style intake sitting in the shop as well. I know the review of the intake manifold has been debated as to if it’s worth swapping or not. Since I am already pulling it and have the parts sitting I ask the question of what would you do? Keep the older log style or swap the sensors and hoses to a horse shoe?

 

[Chris]

I doubt there is any substantial gain (if any at all). I don't know why it was redesigned in the first place, but if I had to guess it had something to do with emissions and adding more crap.

 

[JustDandee]

I think the horseshoe has a more balance length intake runner- seems like somewhere in a interview with the designer it had some merit-one of those AMX video series BUT either way if looking for incremental improvement I would be looking at ways to reduce the heat transfer from the exhaust to the intake while your in there.

 

[Tycarver]

I doubt there is any substantial gain (if any at all). I don't know why it was redesigned in the first place, but if I had to guess it had something to do with emissions and adding more crap.

That’s the synopsis I’ve drawn. Just don’t want to take it all back together and then decide I should have swapped them so wanted other opinions.

I think the horseshoe has a more balance length intake runner- seems like somewhere in a interview with the designer it had some merit-one of those AMX video series BUT either way if looking for incremental improvement I would be looking at ways to reduce the heat transfer from the exhaust to the intake while your in there.

i was thinking about trying to reduce the heat on the intake as well. I’ve heard the exhaust wraps make them rust out a lot faster however. Any suggestions of minimizing heat transfer there?

 

[Chris]

i was thinking about trying to reduce the heat on the intake as well. I’ve heard the exhaust wraps make them rust out a lot faster however. Any suggestions of minimizing heat transfer there?

If you want to reduce heat to the point where you can touch it while the engine is at full temp, I highly recommend having the intake and exhaust manifold ceramic coated. Believe me when I say that stuff works and then some.

Exhaust wraps will trap moisture and lead to rust. If you're serious about heat reduction, ceramic coating (or jet hot coating as it's sometimes called) is the way to go.

 

[JustDandee]

That’s the synopsis I’ve drawn. Just don’t want to take it all back together and then decide I should have swapped them so wanted other opinions.


i was thinking about trying to reduce the heat on the intake as well. I’ve heard the exhaust wraps make them rust out a lot faster however. Any suggestions of minimizing heat transfer there?

I am not sure wrapping exhaust is the way to go but getting a shield on the under side of the intake like DEI form a shield heat barriers.