SRT8-Specific Performance & Engine/Intake/Exhaust ModsThis section is for topics related to SRT8 performance & performance mods. For non SRT8-specific topics, please post in the All Models Forums.
Steve, thanks for the great write-up, complete with photos. That, in itself, is special.
So is the huge task of grinding down the ports (I tried this once, as a lad, on a Buick Striaght 8 engine we had hauled out - it was the toughest project I ever tackled on a car).
Not only did you smooth down the ports, you decided to take that rough hewn manifold exterior and polish it up to perfection!!!
The result is Gearhead Eye Candy - Awesome stuff!
(sidenote: as Steve points out -aluminium particles can be very hazardous to your health; possibly even a significant factor in diseases like Alzheimer's. If you do this, be sure to wear the right protection)
Great job on this Steve. I did this earlier this year and it was veerrrrryyyyyy time consuming. I have to agree, once you start to see that shine start to come through, you start to be like a kid in a candy store. I finally finished mine after about 3 months, so I give you props for finishing in way less time.
Also have to agree that if I had the money, I would pay someone to do this. No way I think I could convince myself to do it again.
NIIIICE!!! That is beautiful!!! You won't regret it... as soon as you get the first compliment it will be all worth it! I had mine polished and now I know why it cost so much... that is a ton of work! Great job!
Thanks for all of the info, including the useful descriptions of the tools and the safety warning. Very nice job, now we all can't wait to see that engine bay!
I don't suppose you have access to a flowbench or a way to compare before and after flow characteristics? Or does the IM outflow the cylinder heads?
No flow numbers but with what seems like a pound of metal dug out of the insides I have no question it will flow better. Just reducing the size of the fuel injector bosses removed a good 25% of the air flow obstructions.
Our local DFW LX club has a guy that does CNC porting and performance tuning for a living and he recommends that I get a tune. According to him, opening up the manifold as much as I did can cause the engine to run lean at higher RPMs. He says I will probably need to have the fuel ratio raised .1 or .2 points. He said I could do myself with my Predator or bring it in for a tune. Since I am curious to see what effect this mod had I will take the car to him for a dyno tune.
As for out-flowing the heads, I have a set of ported big valve heads and a nice lopey cam (I'm still collecting parts) just waiting to be installed so no worries!
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I drive a 300 C SRT to kick ass and look good doing it!.
Last edited by tx_bandit; 11-13-2012 at 10:25 AM.
The Following User Says Thank You to tx_bandit For This Useful Post:
Great job on this Steve. I did this earlier this year and it was veerrrrryyyyyy time consuming. I have to agree, once you start to see that shine start to come through, you start to be like a kid in a candy store. I finally finished mine after about 3 months, so I give you props for finishing in way less time.
Also have to agree that if I had the money, I would pay someone to do this. No way I think I could convince myself to do it again.
Yes, its the shine that kept me going. When I felt like giving it up I would slap a wool buffing wheel on the dremel and polish up a couple of inches. Seeing that one part of the manifold shine would give me the incentive to keep going
Here is a short video I made on how to polish aluminum parts. This is for rough cast surface parts like intakes, water pumps and valve covers. If the piece is already pretty smooth (like the brake lines coming out of the ABS box) you can just use sandpaper and steel wool.
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Awesome stuff! 
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