Hello everyone. Looking for a little advice from the experts. I am attempting to make a custom intake manifold for my engine. The stock manifold is a 2 part with a lower part with long runners and an upper plenum. I am hoping to replicate something like this.
I have made a wooden buck to use to form the aluminum over. I was thinking of 3/16 or 1/4 for the top part which will be formed over the buck and 3/8 for the base plate that will bolt down to the lower piece. The base plate will need to have some machining done. These 2 pieces will need to be tig'd together. This is a boosted application so it will see at the MOST 30psi. I doubt i will ever push anything like that but better safe than sorry.
So my questions are what alloy would you guys recommend and do you think my thicknesses will be suitable. I was thinking of 6061 but then i was quoted by an online metal supplier to go with tool and jig plate. However i read somewhere that this tool and jig plate is not good for vacuum/boost applications. I am also curious about tempering the aluminum. My father mentioned that after tempering the aluminum it becomes softer and easier to form. If anyone has any links or advice about this i would really appreciate it.
Here are some pics of the wood buck from various angles to show what kind of bends will need to be made.
Thanks in advance.
Matt