F.A.S.T. Science - LS1 Intake Manifold

Finally-A New High-Performance Composite LS1 Intake Manifold

By Scott Parkhurst

Since its introduction, hot rodders have been looking for an improved version of the factory GM LS1 intake manifold. The factory design was so good, many didn't feel it would be feasible to create such a part, since so much power had been milked using the OEM composite piece. The use of aluminum is a touchy subject, since aluminum has different heat properties than does plastic. Making a new LS1 intake from aluminum could lead to heat-soaking and potential loss of power that had been gained from a better airflow design. The heat found underhood in most LS1-urged vehicles is much greater than traditional V-8 cars, since sloping hoodlines of F-bodies and Corvettes hug the top of the engine tightly, insulating heat.

To truly find benefit in an aftermarket intake manifold design, it would have to be a composite part like the OEM piece, in addition to having a better design than the one crafted using all the resources of General Motors. That's quite a bill to fill, and it would take a dream team of hot rodders to complete such a task.

The innovators at Fuel-Air-Spark Technologies (FAST), a member of the Comp Performance Group, decided to take on the challenge. They enlisted the aid of their best researchers, and brought in some help from outside the company walls.

To map the airflow through the intake and devise a plan to improve it across the rpm spectrum, FAST brought in noted NASCAR and NHRA intake guru Keith Wilson of Wilson Manifolds. Keith's work has been well documented and the dominance of his designs is without question. Next, FAST needed a company to create the composite piece they were considering, and Managed Programs LLC was called on.

As you may have read in our coverage of the Advanced Engine Technology Conference (AETC), Managed Programs is a manufacturer of composite products specializing in intricate molds and OEM-level products. The need for a multi-piece intake manifold (for porting access) combined with established minimal material thickness, consistency and quality concerns for mass production, and cost controls to ensure the product would be marketable all figured into the plan. This would not be easy, and there was no true precedent. No other aftermarket manufacturer had ever tried to manufacture such a complex part for use strictly as an aftermarket component to traditional hot rodders. Unlike OEM developments, there was not a guarantee on how many of these intakes would be required, and gearing up for a huge or time-limited production run could not be part of the equation. This would be a relatively small production run, and a long-term plan had to be developed to ensure its availability long into the future. The intake was given the designation "LSX" and will see several incarnations with varying options and specific sizes in the future.

The result of all the research, planning, and manufacturing will be available to the public very soon. We at PHR were lucky enough to get a look at the prototype part, see some of the data, and ask questions of the principals involved. We met with Scooter Brothers of Comp Cams, Jay Rohrback of FAST, and Keith Wilson of Wilson Manifolds, and hit them with a battery of questions. The data is solid, the LSX design is impeccable, and the manufacturing is at least of OEM quality, if not superior.

It's quite rare we predict the success of an aftermarket part prior to its introduction, but based on all the information we were able to acquire, this new LSX intake by FAST is a bullseye. Check out the photos and read the captions accompanying them to see why. If you've got an LS1-urged ride, were confident you'll want one of these intakes feeding it!