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I just received this information, keep and eye if you're buying a skunk2 pro series intake manifold, you might be buying a knock off!
Source:
Skunk2 Racing: Pro Series Intake Manifold Clone Alert
Skunk2 Pro Series Intake Manifold Clone Alert
Mar 30th, 2010 // Article By: Skunk2 Staff // Photographer: Skunk2 Staff
For years, unscrupulous competitors have advertised their knock-off intake manifolds as being the âsame as Skunk2.â They arenât. Skunk2âs Pro Series Intake Manifold continues to set the bar and remains the most copied intake manifold around simply because itâs the best. Learn why Pro Series Intake Manifolds stand apart from the rest and how you can avoid being fooled by the clone makers.
Poor Appearance:
Open the clones' box and the casting flaws and irregular blemishes are obvious. That's because the clone makers put little effort into ensuring an acceptable level of quality. In contrast, the care taken by the foundry to produce the highest quality as demanded by Skunk2 is unmatched. Even the clone makers' materials are different. Although both manifolds are constructed of cast aluminum, only Pro Series Intake Manifolds are made from virgin, 356 aluminum, not recycled metals that are brittle and prone to cracking and discoloration. (Be sure to view the photo gallery for close-up comparisons and detailed descriptions.)
Poor Performance:
The more air and fuel that can be introduced into an engine's combustion chambers, the more power can potentially be made. High-flow air filters, exhaust systems, headers, throttle bodies, and intake manifolds all contribute to this. But a bottleneck within any one of these components can restrict flow. That's why Skunk2 ensured that its Pro Series Intake Manifolds allow for maximum port-matching to take advantage of up to 75mm throttle bodies. The clone manifolds allow for no more than 66mm throttle body port-matching, creating a significant bottleneck within the intake stream and severely limiting horsepower potential. The clone manifolds' irregular casting is also apparent inside where harsh transitions from the plenum to the runners create turbulence and restrict smooth airflow. (Be sure to view the photo gallery for close-up comparisons and detailed descriptions.)
Get ready because other clone manifolds will be introduced to the market shortly, some under the guise of companies you may already be familiar with. Some may continue to outright steal the Skunk2 Pro Series name, others may simply steal the design while rebadging it as their own. Either way, beware, as the clones, the knock-offs, and the copycats all share one thing in common: a lack of innovation and one poor design.
Source:
Skunk2 Racing: Pro Series Intake Manifold Clone Alert
Irregular blemishes and casting marks are common among clone manifolds (3). That's because often times recycled, lesser grade aluminum is used to reduce manufacturing costs. The results are brittle manifolds that are prone to cracking and discoloration. Inside is where the clones further fall short. A harsh transition from the throttle body opening to the number four intake runner (2) and limited space for throttle body port matching (1) makes the clone manifolds no better than OEM castings.
Skunk2 reshaped and relocated the IAC passage on its manifolds to accommodate throttle body port-matching as large as 75mm without the risk of breaking through. The clone's OEM-located IAC passage allows for throttle body port-matching no larger than 66mm, resulting in a significant bottleneck, limited horsepower gains, and decreased performance.
Why upgrade your intake manifold to only be limited to a 66mm throttle body? Skunk2 Pro Series Intake Manifolds allow for port-matching as large as 75mm to allow you to extract the most power out of your engine as possible.
Pro Series Intake Manifolds feature smooth transitions from plenum to runners and clean parting lines for optimal air flow. Each runner entry is smoothly tapered, much like an air horn. A rough, V-shaped transition from plenum to runners within the clone manifolds is the result of a poor design and careless manufacturing. The results prohibit proper air flow and decrease performance.
The consistent finish and fitment of Pro Series Intake Manifolds is the result of care taken by the foundry to produce high-quality parts as demanded by Skunk2. Clone manifolds can be identified by their irregular casting marks near their badges (2), unpredictable finishes and blemishes, and slightly square-shaped plenums (1). Genuine Skunk2 Pro Series Intake Manifolds can also be identified by their acid-etched, stainless steel nameplates. Notice the slightly rounded corners and shiny appearance when compared to the clone. Also notice the make-shift, trimmed corners on the clone manifoldâs Pro Series nameplate. Once you know what to look for, spotting the clones, and then avoiding them, is easy.
Pro Series Intake Manifolds feature a smooth transition from the throttle body opening to the number four cylinderâs intake runner for smooth, uninterrupted flow. Each runner's transition is designed like an airfoil to improve flow and maximize performance. The clone's odd-shaped, abrupt transition from the throttle body opening to the number four cylinderâs intake runner impedes proper air flow and results in limited horsepower.
Although the packaging may appear similar, don't be fooled by what's inside.
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