Originally Posted by kidrock (Post 5237956)

IIRC, there are a few contributors with painted or powdercoated intakes. On some, it looks pretty good. On others...meh.

I think polished runners would look awesome...but you'd probably never be able to keep 'em in good condition.

Yea, I agree... polished runners would look killer, but also agree that keeping them that way would be a royal PITA!!

A couple people have mentioned having the inners done with ceramic coating. I might recommend against this. Porsche has done an excellent job engineering these motors, to the point where there is truly not much one can do to inexpensively modify and realize significant horsepower. Chances are, the intakes were engineered to pretty exacting specifications.

I have to disagree on this point.... Porsche intake mainfolds on the 3.2L and the 3.3L SUCK, as they come from the factory. On my 3.2L intake I had it flow tested before and after the Extrudehoned process. The process only makes about 40 more CFM increase over stock, but what it does do wonderfully is balance the runners. Before, the runners had close to 70 CFM difference between the runners... After the process, only 4 CFM difference between the runners. Trust me, there is TONS of room for improvement on the intakes!


For a short time, Harley Davidson enthusiasts were polishing the heads of their Evolution motors...thinking they were getting more bang for their buck. In reality, they weren't realizing any true gains...because the rough texture of the heads near the intake were specifically engineered to "break up" or atomize the incoming fuel more efficiently. Smooth, polished heads defeated that purpose.

I think that would be the case on a carbed engine, but if its EFI, there might be some slight gains by playing around with that sort of stuff. Granted, that would be fore the person who has sunk every last cent into the engine, and is looking for that extra 1 or 2 HP...... Not even worth it for the everyday person....
I know these aren't Harleys, I am only drawing a feasible analogy. :D

Originally Posted by proffighter (Post 5238924)

My 5 cents:

Polishing the intake has nothing to do with EFI or not. You can look at Superbikes, even at MotoGP bikes and you'll never find polishing these days. Benefits of slightly rough surface are better mixture and better flow (Have you ever touch a shark? No flush skin)

Originally Posted by mack6820 (Post 5239577)

soooooo. I will paint them then.
Thanks guys!