What intake manifold should I use?

[Zac692069]

I am currently building at 2.3 6bolt for my 95 Tsi. My question for you guys is what intake manifold should I go with for the quickest spool and low end power? My setup is FP cast manifold, HX40 Pro, 274 cams, ballance shaft elimination kit, VRSF front mount.

That's all I have bought so far. I plan on buying a lot more parts but my next piece is an intake manifold. Input please!

 

[LiquidX]

What sort of airflow do you plan to push with the HX40? When I was talking with a vendor who's no longer around, it was concluded that with the HX40 and it's airflow, the JMF Drag manifold was the way to go.

However, the new Magnus cast manifold is VERY VERY appealing and I would opt for that honestly. There has been some solid number improvements going to the cast manifold from a SMIM from the same company. Reason being is pretty much any shape can be produced using a cast from unlike welding. This process allowed them to fine tune their design for optimum gains and flow pattern. I would look into that to see what you think. That is also of course you have a 6 bolt head and not using the 2g head.

Magnus Motorsports V3 Cast Aluminum Intake for 1G DSM

 

[Zac692069]

I will be running a 6 bolt head. I have come accross that manifold, I have to admit, that's on the top of my selection for intakes. I just wanted to see what others have tried and tested maybe even running a similar setup. But so far, I like the cast one the best. I'm just scared of the price .

 

[LiquidX]

"Gotta pay to play" but from the numbers I've seen, it's definitely the way to go IMO. I've even considered switching to a 6 bolt head to run that IM but that would require a lot of modifications right now being 6 bolt with 2g head.

But yes, +1 on the Magnus cast manifold. If that's out of your range then go with the Magnus Race or JMF Drag manifold.

 

[TALONTRAX]

I`m running a bone stock 2g head & intake mani on a 6 bolt 2.4 stroker in my 98 tsi awd(4g63 block). With the stroker, it`s recommended to keep it under 6500 rpm (yea . . . right - broke that rule several times). Despite the increased stroke, it still WANTS to wind to the stratosphere, but it does it`s damage down low (2800 - 6000). It will roast all 4 tires effortlessly, never did that before. Anyway, the smaller ports on the 2g head & intake compliment the stroker platform, as the velocity on the smaller ports is superb for a lower to midrange engine like a stroker. If you were running a high rpm engine, I`d go with a 1g head & intake with the bigger ports which will flow better at high rpms. . .

 

[nitrouskris]

magnus cast intake maifold, i did a back to back test vs the jm drag intake - its a great manifold but magnus come out on top.

 

[Zac692069]

See that's another thing I was tempted about, using a 2g head on the 6bolt. 2g head would equal better low end? I'm not looking for high rev with this motor. That's what I have a r6 for.

 

[talonDSMerr]

For quickest spool and low end, you'll probably want to stay away from most aftermarket intake manifolds, as appealing as they may be. They usually employ huge plenums, which take longer to fill, and short runners, which suit high revving motors more than low revving strokers.

I decided on a 6bolt head on my 2.3 paired with a cyclone IM. The stock 6 bolt IM will also be better for spool and low end than most aftermarket IM but it'll sacrifice some top-end, but you said you'd be okay with that...

 

[bastarddsm]

Just remember that a dsm with lots of low end torque will be very hard on transmissions.

 

[ludevtec93]

ever thought of the hawver cast intake manifold? btw i have one for sale

 

[Zac692069]

I completely understand the whole torque and tearing things apart deal. I take care of my cars but you do make a valid point. My build is going to basically be my "toy" might take it to the track a few times a year at best. But it's sole purpose is to make me smile when I romp on it.

I will look into the hawver. Until now I don't believe I have heard of that brand.

 

[MightyMax88]

I bought the JMF race (limited space in my Mighty Max build since the master cylinder is in the way) for my 2.3L build, but that was before the Magnus cast was out (ordered it like a month or 2 before I even saw the Magnus).

I'm seriously thinking going the way of the Magnus cast manifold setup for RWD, and selling my race version of the JMF (which btw is a great manifold, but everything about the Magnus is better).

Anyhow, I say shell out the extra money for the Magnus.

 

[romeen]

I am currently building at 2.3 6bolt for my 95 Tsi. My question for you guys is what intake manifold should I go with for the quickest spool and low end power? My setup is FP cast manifold, HX40 Pro, 274 cams, ballance shaft elimination kit, VRSF front mount.

That's all I have bought so far. I plan on buying a lot more parts but my next piece is an intake manifold. Input please!

A properly functioning Cyclone IM can give you the quick spool and responsiveness of a small runner IM (2G) and then give you the top end flow of a 1G IM. I just switched from a 1G to a Cyclone IM and the difference in spool and midrange is very noticeable. However, this is with an EVO3 16G so I don't know how well it would match up with your Holset.