AFR Composite plastic intake manifold

[Alien DNA]

Hey gang!!

Has anyone seen these? I was wondering how long it would take for plastic components to made available.

Not sure on their reliability...but if its coming from AFR (Air Flow Research), it cant be all bad!!

Shame theyre only available for small block chevs.....no plans of a BBC version :(

"AFR developed a patented process and design for a 2-piece composite plastic intake manifold that reduces weight and increases power. These manifolds run up to 30° cooler than an aluminum manifold and weigh 9 to 11 pounds less (varies by model). The 2-piece design allows center runners to be removed without touching the distributor or losing coolant.
Features
Cast-in nitrous bosses
Dual distributor hold-downs
Intake bolt compression limiters
Carburetor vibration reduced 5%
Modular design with interchangeable runners
15+ horsepower and torque (more than competing units)
30° cooler and 9-11 pounds lighter than aluminum manifolds
Includes distributor bolts and 12-point intake bolts and washers
Viton rubber gaskets and O-ring distributor seal for leak-free operation"

[Innuendo]

Yeah the intake manifolds on the Gen III LS1/2/3 etc are all plastic. Even Carter carbs were plastic 20 years ago.

[Alien DNA]

True....and many Jap/Korean/Euro cars also. Cant say ive seen plastic intakes for SBCs before though.

[Taily]

Plastics have been around in induction systems for many years. As Inners mentioned Carter was using phenolic plastic in their Thermoquad carbies from the early 70s to keep the temperature of the fuel in the float chamber cooler. I remember reading somewhere about the mid 90's Ford having a splitting issue with their 4.6 V8s in the US - they used to drop their coolant without warning but that was an earlier design that plastics technology has now caught up with. Had a Mk 4 Golf with a plastic variable runner inlet manifold on it, one of the ways they get better economy/torque by varying the airspeed in the inlet manifold. I'm actually surprised (now that you mention them...) that they seem to have taken so long to find their way into aftermarket!