I installed my BC billet manifolds today:
BC Billet Intake Manifolds This is a two-piece arrangement; the intake to head segment is billet, & carb to intake segment is hard rubber.
No pics yet, no test yet.
Initial impressions:
Pro:
- I like billet
- Stronger than OEM
- No need for a carb brace (although I used my patented heavy-duty ghetto-engineered zip tie)
- Potentially improved flow
Con
- $$$$
- Cheap-looking vacuum caps (a/k/a squirrel condoms) supplied
- Different size fasteners used; intake to head uses 4mm hex wrench, carb to intake uses 5mm hex wrench
- Minor "gunsmithing" fitting required with a precision file to get the carb to intake section mounting bolts to mount up properly
- Poor design for intake to head lower mounting bolts - can't get a straight shot at the bolt head. Fortunately I had a ball-end allen wrench that enabled me to tighten those fastners, otherwise TS, no joy. BC doesn't mention that. All they would have to do to fix is is machine relief/clearance notches in the underside of the billet intake. But noooo...they didn't. Looks like I'll be looking for a custom hex wrench as a work-around.
While the manifolds were off I did some light intake port cleanup work with hand-files, just to remove some rough edges inside of the machined mating surface at the head.
Pics of the newly mounted manifolds to follow when I get around to it.
Bonus installation tip: a light smear of grease in the o-ring channel will retain the o-ring in place while installing the manifold.
