I am having my VICS manifold chemically stripped and mechanically blasted. It will look 100% like new when done. I plan on painting the top half of the intake manifold wrinkle black but I am torn on what to paint the lower portion or if I should paint it at all. Part of me says bare, part of me says paint it with clear coat, and another part of me says paint it with aluminum paint...

I kinda also want to paint it ford grey to match the engine block.

What say you?

 

I always thought painting only the upper half looks weird, since from the side you can see a lot of the lower half. My vote is match the valve cover, but if it's wrinkle, keep it off the lower half. Just match...glossyness. Matte for Matte, gloss for gloss, that sort of thing. Between the upper and lower.

 

Watch that as media.....

 

I also think only the top part of the IM painted looks bad. All or nothing. Artistic unity and all that

 

If you blast it with aluminum oxide, make sure it's VERY well cleaned afterwards. I'm told that aluminum castings can hold onto the blast media and then release it over time when it's bolted onto the engine, killing rings and bearings in as little as a hundred miles. IIRC you need ultrasonic cleaning or something like that.

--Ian

 

need pics of bay to see what we're workign with here

 

fixed

 

If you bead blast it, it will eventually turn chalky and nasty again. Might as well paint it with some aluminum look paint like VHT Nu-Cast or Eastwood Aluma Blast.

 

I'll see if I fan find pics of engine bay, but so much will be changing I don't know if it will be a good representation. I'll post valve cover and block to start?

I like the "alumablast" idea. I also like the idea of painting the whole thing black.

 

 

I'd probably do it in that dark charcoal color you have the lettering and vvt solenoid sprayed in

 

My $0.02: Skunk2 manifold anodized in the colour of your choice!

Why bother with the VICS manifold?

Agree with NOT painting only the top half, looks "half-arsed".

 

VICS manifold is heavily ported, and this was done almost a year ago. I am just now getting around to installing it. My choices are use stock VCTS manifold, use ported VICS manifold, BUY a flat top, or BUY a Skunk2.

Should it not flow up to our expectations I may someday go to a skunk2 manifold and throttle body but I am trying to keep the extra espenses to a minimum for now. Cleaning and paint will get somewhat reimbursed in the sale of the manifold should I ever try and sell it.

 

The gold looks baller. Do the IM the same color. Whole thing

 

Pics of ported manifold for reference.

 

I hope it works as good as you believe it should. Cause I've yet to see a ported IM where it actually helped (including when I myself tried it)

But I also don't think you need a stink2 either

 

The only thing I’m pretty sure of is that it flows better than a VCTS. I may at some point do A/B testing.

 

I'll bet it does too, the "VCTS" manifold is obviously a cheap Chinese knock-off of the Mazda "VTCS" (Variable Tumble Control System) manifold.

 

What kind of tool do you use that the aluminum comes off in huge chunks like that?

 

paint everything orange. EVERYTHING.

including the nuts/bolts, brackets, hoses, etc.


just like a muscle car.