Intake Manifold Swap

[Big Bad James]

My pal just bought a 1995 Buick Regal with a 3800 Series I. As soon as I saw the engine, I fell in love with how the intake manifold looks.

Observe:
http://www.collegehillshonda.com/ebay/buick/le12.jpg
http://www.custombuiltwebs.com/ebayc...burg%20025.jpg

I like the LS1-resembling look of the manifold, and I think it'd look pretty killer if bolted onto a Series II in an F-Body, without the 3800 Tuned Port Injection beauty cover on it.

My question is actually multi-layered:
a) Will the intake from the 3800 Series I fit on a 3800 Series II?
b) If so, will the intake hurt performance unless it is ported to Series II specs?
c) Since the intake will be facing the wrong way (FWD vs RWD config.), can the intake be turned the other way to face towards the engine bay? (I've seen intake manifolds turned the other way on LT1 motors in Fieros, and got curious.)

If anyone knows anyone who has tried this, or if anyone knows whether this would work or not, please feel free to add your input.

[ September 28, 2003: Message edited by: Big Bad James ]</p>

[Dominic]

Look at where the intake is on that car.

Then look at where the belts are.

Compare with your car.

Will it work? no.

[Big Bad James]

Wait a minute...

...damn it! Another good-in-theory/bad-in-practice idea.

But hold up, like I said, you'd have to turn the manifold around, like on LT1 swap-in Fieros.

[ September 28, 2003: Message edited by: Big Bad James ]</p>

[toast]

You will not gain anything if you go to the composite manifold. Don't even waist your time with it.

[Big Bad James]

You have to admit though, without that beauty cover, and a little polish on the manifold, it would look pretty nice.

[phoenix64]

Why can't you just turn the manifold around? And how about an answer from someone who has actualy taken one of these things apart.

[Ted]

It seems pretty dumb to go through all that work of even trying just so the intake manifold would look cooler, or similar to the LS1. Just go out and buy an LS1. Then you can get one of those nice LS6 intakes that are all shiny looking.

[Big Bad James]

Just go out and buy an LS1, eh? Hmm, while I'm at it, I should probably take my Aston Martin for an engine overhaul.

I'm not made of money here, and a Series 1 intake would be something unique and different on an F-Body. Also quite inexpensive if I look around. I'll have the intake ported if it doesn't flow enough at first, but I want it because it's different.

[ September 29, 2003: Message edited by: Big Bad James ]</p>

[memphis_raines]

Well, if you're wanting different, get a custom paint job in hot pink with yellow racing stripes. Maybe some navy blue fuzzy dice to go with it. hehe That's different........

[navyblue2000]

cut the guy some slack guys.

hey man, the intake manifolds off a series 2 FWD car looks kinda like that, has the external runners. OUR intake manifolds supposedly actually have the same/if not better design, it's just our runners are internal, not seen.

[Big Bad James]

I'm curious why the 3800 Series II FWD cars advertise 205 HP and ours advertise 200 HP. Maybe it has something to do with the intake.

And can the FWD intake be turned around to accomodate the type of applications I want to do?

[merlinsrealm]

well for one thing the intake you are showing is lighter...Alays a good thing...second the intake uses ram pulse technology which is based on LS1 intakes.....flows much better than our series 2 intakes....

[phoenix64]

Don't forget no heat soak

[Big Bad James]

Hmm, I may have struck upon something that no one really considered to... well... consider. :D

The big, unanswered question: Will it fit, and if so, can it be turned around?

[black98V6]

nobody is gonna know till you give it a try man..
I'd say go for it and see what happens.. if it does then you get to go around saying neener neener neener.. if it doesn't .. well at least you tried..