Just got a new S&B intake elbow and it is obviously made from a sand cast. The ID is very rough, I am wondering if anyone has taken the time to try and smooth the inside of the elbow?

 

Could help turbulence?

 

Not sure that is the objective of the intake. Otherwise no one would port and polish intakes.

How about this question, is the ID of the other aftermarket intake elbows rough or smooth?

 

My Bladerunner was a bit rough too. I smoothed it out somewhat with a Dremel.

 

I was thinking about one of these. Any pics of the inside of it?

 

On the road this week and the intake is at the house. Came in the mail yesterday so did not get a chance to get pictures. Will do it next weekend for sure.

In the mean time visualize spreading sand on wet paint and you get the idea on the surface texture of the inside. I checked for any of the grains that are loose and all were tight.

 

I am considering buying one of these soon so I read your post. First "sandcasting" does not sound correct for a composite material. It is normally used for metal castings.

I would recommend contacting S&B before you install it, perhaps you received an imperfect unit. I came across the following thread on another forum with a post from S&B with a PDF of a complete cut away section of the horn showing it to be perfectly smooth inside. The underlined words in the post are the downloadable PDFs

http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/3r...-intake-3.html

S&B's post is a little over halfway down.dated Nov 2, 2008.

 

For $280.00 that thing had better be slicker than owl snot on a rainy day.
From the looks of it, that thing should not cost them more than $20.00 to make.
Man, some of this stuff is just ridiculous.

 

I couldn't agree with you more. That's why I'm such a tightwad when it comes to certain mods. I went the cheap route and picked up a 2nd gen manifold. Now to get it put on....
I too think that the intake should be smooth inside. I wonder why these companies don't smooth them out!?!?!?

 

Maybe that is why it is not smooth, it is the least expensive aftermarket intake elbow out there.

I will be taking a bead hone to it this weekend and will post before and after pictures.

As for the cost of manufacture, I will agree there is one hell of a mark up on these things.