Scorps

How does the plastic not melt??


or is it just a cover?

I don't know about these new cars....I own an 82 so its all Cast-Iron

__________________
A.K.A. PainTrain

bad30th

No its not a cover...the intake is made entirely of plastic.

There are many plastics and plastic polymers that have a melting point far higher than any temperature an intake will ever reach...

Scorps

That is as bad and Dodge makeing bearing out of plastic!

well not the bearings but the collar that holds the bearing is plastic on some Mini-Vans!

bad30th

if the melting point of the plastic used is far enough above the actual temperatures reached, then it is actually a good idea. Weight savings, heat transfer, ability to injection mold, etc.

Plastics arent always bad, and there are more plastics used in aerospace and transportation than I am sure you'd be comfrtable knowing about, given most peoples misconception that all plastics melt at low temperatures.

james t kirk

Well I can assure you that THIS plastic is JUNK. It can not handle what it is supposed to do and will crack over time. In my case, the intake maniold cracked and i had to replace the entire engine after 65,000 miles.

Replacing engines due to cracked intake manifolds does not come under the heading of normal maintenance.

Here's a link that shows the problem.....

http://www.babcox.com/editorial/ar/eb110112.htm

Here's a link to consumer affairs....

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automan/plastic.html

Here's a link to the news that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating the plastic intake manifolds for exploding under backfire and causing engine fires....

http://www.pulse24.com/News_Features...5-001/page.asp

As far as "weight savings" goes, a typical plastic intake manifold weighs 4.5 kilograms, verses 12.7 kilograms for aluminum. Over the lifetime of the car, this weight savings will save the automobile owner $7.91 in gasoline. Roughly a Big Mac Combo and a Sundae at McDonalds. Of course, the new engine you will need to buy will run you in the area of $5,000.00, but hey, you did get that Big Mac Combo and Sundae for free!

I am sure you want back up, so please click on this link the EPA in the USA who did an extensive study comparing aluminum and plastic intake manifolds. Pan down to page 24 at the bottom of the page so you see i am not pulling these numbers.

Another interesting tib bit in this EPA report is on page 18 where they grade the manifolds. Read the structural marks.

http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/60...A600R99023.pdf

Here's a guy who almost got scortched...

http://www.cartrackers.com/Forums/li...Lemon/395.html

GM has a very big problem on their hands.

There are millions of these pieces of junk engines on the market (all 3800 type K built between 96 and 2003) In 2004 supposedly they have altered the design.


THE ONLY REASON THAT GM IS USING PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS IS THAT THEY ARE CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP TO BUILD. Again refering to the EPA study, page 18, you will note that plastic intake manifolds cost half of what an aluminum manifold costs.

If when i bought my buick they said to me, "Hey, you can have the car for X and get a cheap plastic intake manifold that will crack and destroy your engine at 65,000 miles costing you $5,000 hard earned dollars, or pay $100.00 more and get an aluminum intake manifold that will last forever"

Wonder what I would have done?

bad30th

Dude calm down....I'm not saying that this particular plastic intake is the best design ever....obviously its flawed. I am agreeing with you....if that many people are having a problem, its flawed. You are right.

As far as weight savings goes.....dropping ANY weight from the front of a car (especially a FWD, and probably with the exception of a Mid engined car) will help EVERY aspect of its performance.....acceleration, braking, handling, weight distribution....everything. Guys go thru hell to save a few pounds here and there. I know your average person only cares about gas mileage, which is why you mentioned only that. But I could give a shit about gas mileage. Weight savings is important.

We wont even talk about the advantages of a plastic intake for heat transfer and improving power...

My point about the intake is that GM is not the only company doing it because its "CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP".....Mazda, Ford, I'm sure a few others are starting to.

To be perfectly honest, I wouldnt be surprised if, in a few years, maybe 10 or 20, I dont know, that EVERY new vehicle will have a plastic intake manifold. Why? Because car manifacturers are ALL looking to save money. And because, when properly designed, plastic will outperform aluminum (for an intake manifold).

When car manifacturers started making aluminum manifolds (and heads ), people had the same agrument.....aluminum cant stand up the the heat produced in an engine, it cracks, it warps....same exact shit.

But why did the manufacturers do it? Cheaper( ), lighter( ), and better heat transfer properties.....same exact shit.

And yes, there were problems with the first aluminum intakes and heads, but obviously, they did get worked out. So will plastic.

james t kirk

I agree with you.

But GM treats people with the plastic intake manifold problem like crap.

And aluminum costs a lot more than cast iron too by the way.

I still love the old GM's though. Anything from about 70 on back is truly a classic. It's the new GM's i hate.

I would love an old vette, or Camaro, or GTO, or firebird, Chevelle, etc, etc. Those cars were truly impressive designs for their time.

bad30th

http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthr...threadid=40942

Honda treats their customers like crap too. Its sorta universal, I think.

Scorps

I love the old chevs to....I have been looking for a 70's or 80's camaro.....more because they are nicer and not all plastic.

Ov3rKiLL

Does GM stanbd for General Motors comp? cause if it does then my dad has a safari from them and i must say it hasnt turned out to be a bad acar.

bad30th

yes, GM = General Motors