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SAAC Forum => SAAC Forum Discussion Area => Topic started by: roddster on December 24, 2025, 12:50:40 PM

Title: 428 aluminum intakes. WTH??
Post by: roddster on December 24, 2025, 12:50:40 PM
  I might be looking for a new intake for my Tribute car.
   OK, isn't Blue Thunder out of business?  Those have gone to $1400 plus.
     So, the next choice is Edelbrock.  But, looking on Ebay, what's with all these unbranded aluminum dual plane knock-offs in the price range of $220 to $300.??
   Are they any good?
   I'll likely buy the Edelbrock one.
Title: Re: 428 aluminum intakes. WTH??
Post by: 98SVT - was 06GT on December 24, 2025, 01:59:47 PM
Quote from: roddster on December 24, 2025, 12:50:40 PMwhat's with all these unbranded aluminum dual plane knock-offs in the price range of $220 to $300.
In reality the ChiCom manufacturing process has greatly improved in the past 20 years. At 1/3 the price of an Edelbrock I'd take the gamble. Just make sure the seller takes returns and pays for the return shipping in case what arrives is pure junk.
Title: Re: 428 aluminum intakes. WTH??
Post by: Bob Gaines on December 24, 2025, 03:55:07 PM
Quote from: roddster on December 24, 2025, 12:50:40 PMI might be looking for a new intake for my Tribute car.
   OK, isn't Blue Thunder out of business?  Those have gone to $1400 plus.
     So, the next choice is Edelbrock.  But, looking on Ebay, what's with all these unbranded aluminum dual plane knock-offs in the price range of $220 to $300.??
   Are they any good?
   I'll likely buy the Edelbrock one.
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on December 24, 2025, 01:59:47 PM
Quote from: roddster on December 24, 2025, 12:50:40 PMwhat's with all these unbranded aluminum dual plane knock-offs in the price range of $220 to $300.
In reality the ChiCom manufacturing process has greatly improved in the past 20 years. At 1/3 the price of an Edelbrock I'd take the gamble. Just make sure the seller takes returns and pays for the return shipping in case what arrives is pure junk.
+1 .Go for it
Title: Re: 428 aluminum intakes. WTH??
Post by: FL SAAC on December 24, 2025, 04:11:20 PM
"They" make pretty accurate copies and the aluminum is just that aluminum.

Best of luck on your endeavors and the Merriest of Christmas to all !
Title: Re: 428 aluminum intakes. WTH??
Post by: JohnSlack on December 24, 2025, 07:05:33 PM
Rewarding groups that make inferior junk that you know is inferior junk instead of buying quality parts is why people stop making quality parts. My choice would be Edelbrock.

Crower made excellent billet connecting rods, Childs and Albert made excellent connecting rods. The Chinese have expanded their own manufacturing capacity and abilities based on cheap inferior copies of other manufacturers around the world. Shame on anyone who buys something predicting that it may need to be completely reworked or sent back, when it is sold as a finished product.


John
Title: Re: 428 aluminum intakes. WTH??
Post by: pbf777 on December 26, 2025, 05:15:10 PM
Quote from: JohnSlack on December 24, 2025, 07:05:33 PMRewarding groups that make inferior junk that you know is inferior junk instead of buying quality parts is why people stop making quality parts.
 
Crower made excellent billet connecting rods, Childs and Albert made excellent connecting rods. The Chinese have expanded their own manufacturing capacity and abilities based on cheap inferior copies of other manufacturers around the world. Shame on anyone who buys something predicting that it may need to be completely reworked or sent back, when it is sold as a finished product.

     HALLELUJAH!   ;D

     For crying out loud, when are we going to LEARN!   :-[

     Scott.
Title: Re: 428 aluminum intakes. WTH??
Post by: JohnSlack on December 26, 2025, 09:48:10 PM
Quote from: pbf777 on December 26, 2025, 05:15:10 PM
Quote from: JohnSlack on December 24, 2025, 07:05:33 PMRewarding groups that make inferior junk that you know is inferior junk instead of buying quality parts is why people stop making quality parts.
 
Crower made excellent billet connecting rods, Childs and Albert made excellent connecting rods. The Chinese have expanded their own manufacturing capacity and abilities based on cheap inferior copies of other manufacturers around the world. Shame on anyone who buys something predicting that it may need to be completely reworked or sent back, when it is sold as a finished product.

     HALLELUJAH!   ;D

     For crying out loud, when are we going to LEARN!   :-[

     Scott.

Scott,
Unlike most of the people who buy this junk they have never had to repair, make square, change bolt holes and then figure out how to get the guy to pay for the rework...only to find out after $700 to $800 of rework that the aluminum is porous and the mixture is now percolating through the runners to the outside. I tried to fix one once, and tried to fix an early set of DOVE FE heads.... another huge mistake. Everyone complains about the Chinese imports but they pay for the junk.


Sorry rant over.


Title: Re: 428 aluminum intakes. WTH??
Post by: Royce Peterson on December 27, 2025, 09:54:58 AM
Buying Ford intake manifolds you won't have any problems. The price will quickly fade. Buy once, cry once.
Title: Re: 428 aluminum intakes. WTH??
Post by: roddster on December 27, 2025, 12:07:21 PM
Quote from: FL SAAC on December 24, 2025, 04:11:20 PM"They" make pretty accurate copies and the aluminum is just that aluminum.

Best of luck on your endeavors and the Merriest of Christmas to all !

Just another stupid and useless comment from of friend in Floria-duh.
Title: Re: 428 aluminum intakes. WTH??
Post by: JohnSlack on December 27, 2025, 03:51:44 PM
Quote from: roddster on December 27, 2025, 12:07:21 PM
Quote from: FL SAAC on December 24, 2025, 04:11:20 PM"They" make pretty accurate copies and the aluminum is just that aluminum.

Best of luck on your endeavors and the Merriest of Christmas to all !

Just another stupid and useless comment from of friend in Floria-duh.

Well yes, because all aluminum is not just aluminum. There are different alloys that each bring "Pros & Cons" to the table. Which is why specific casting alloys are used for intake manifolds.
Title: Re: 428 aluminum intakes. WTH??
Post by: JohnSlack on December 27, 2025, 04:42:23 PM
Quote from: Royce Peterson on December 27, 2025, 09:54:58 AMBuying Ford intake manifolds you won't have any problems. The price will quickly fade. Buy once, cry once.

By far Ford factory intake manifolds may make you tear up slightly not cry. I can say that I have not ever bought a factory intake manifold that I lost money on.
Title: Re: 428 aluminum intakes. WTH??
Post by: FL SAAC on December 28, 2025, 08:58:57 AM
Quote from: JohnSlack on December 27, 2025, 03:51:44 PM
Quote from: roddster on December 27, 2025, 12:07:21 PM
Quote from: FL SAAC on December 24, 2025, 04:11:20 PM"They" make pretty accurate copies and the aluminum is just that aluminum.

Best of luck on your endeavors and the Merriest of Christmas to all !

Just another stupid and useless comment from of friend in Floria-duh.

Well yes, because all aluminum is not just aluminum. There are different alloys that each bring "Pros & Cons" to the table. Which is why specific casting alloys are used for intake manifolds.


Excellent point
Title: Re: 428 aluminum intakes. WTH??
Post by: Royce Peterson on December 28, 2025, 03:54:06 PM
Quote from: JohnSlack on December 27, 2025, 04:42:23 PM
Quote from: Royce Peterson on December 27, 2025, 09:54:58 AMBuying Ford intake manifolds you won't have any problems. The price will quickly fade. Buy once, cry once.

By far Ford factory intake manifolds may make you tear up slightly not cry. I can say that I have not ever bought a factory intake manifold that I lost money on.

The problem is you can pay too much and then the intake won't be a good deal. Knowing your vendor can pay off. Particularly if you are buying to resell.
Title: Re: 428 aluminum intakes. WTH??
Post by: JohnSlack on December 29, 2025, 01:54:16 AM
Quote from: Royce Peterson on December 28, 2025, 03:54:06 PM
Quote from: JohnSlack on December 27, 2025, 04:42:23 PM
Quote from: Royce Peterson on December 27, 2025, 09:54:58 AMBuying Ford intake manifolds you won't have any problems. The price will quickly fade. Buy once, cry once.

By far Ford factory intake manifolds may make you tear up slightly not cry. I can say that I have not ever bought a factory intake manifold that I lost money on.

The problem is you can pay too much and then the intake won't be a good deal. Knowing your vendor can pay off. Particularly if you are buying to resell.

I know what I am buying and suggest two things, #1 know what you are buying and exactly what you are buying. #2 Don't buy anything you don't want to get stuck with.
Title: Re: 428 aluminum intakes. WTH??
Post by: TLea on December 29, 2025, 02:20:29 PM
When you buy just tell yourself " I didn't pay too much, I just bought it too early" Real Ford parts will only appreciate in value
Title: Re: 428 aluminum intakes. WTH??
Post by: JohnSlack on December 29, 2025, 07:29:52 PM
Quote from: TLea on December 29, 2025, 02:20:29 PMWhen you buy just tell yourself " I didn't pay too much, I just bought it too early" Real Ford parts will only appreciate in value

Plus 1!
Title: Re: 428 aluminum intakes. WTH??
Post by: pbf777 on December 29, 2025, 11:34:25 PM
    An instance of how the populous is just determined to "shoot themselves in the foot" on this topic of "Walmart-Mentality", this that was brought forth in our shop one day; as a guy had purchased a couple of the 'cheap' "Garrett Like" turbos off ebay, and on the first hard-run, both the compressor and turbine blades shredded, and of course this lead to internal engine damage.  After incurring a somewhat rather extensive repair requirement, this at a rather great expenditure, on his way out the door with his "fixed stuff",  I inquired as to what he was going to do for replacement turbos this time around?   ??? 

    His response was that he was just going to order another pair of the same "CHEAP" turbos, those that had blown-up on him previously!   :o   I said:  "What the F@#K!  Didn't you learn anything from the previous experience?"  He said: "But they're just sooo . . .  cheap!  I can buy three sets of those for the price of only one set of the "GOOD ONE'S".    ::)

    Scott. 
Title: Re: 428 aluminum intakes. WTH??
Post by: JohnSlack on December 30, 2025, 12:57:33 AM
Quote from: pbf777 on December 29, 2025, 11:34:25 PMAn instance of how the populous is just determined to "shoot themselves in the foot" on this topic of "Walmart-Mentality", this that was brought forth in our shop one day; as a guy had purchased a couple of the 'cheap' "Garrett Like" turbos off ebay, and on the first hard-run, both the compressor and turbine blades shredded, and of course this lead to internal engine damage.  After incurring a somewhat rather extensive repair requirement, this at a rather great expenditure, on his way out the door with his "fixed stuff",  I inquired as to what he was going to do for replacement turbos this time around?   ??? 

    His response was that he was just going to order another pair of the same "CHEAP" turbos, those that had blown-up on him previously!   :o   I said:  "What the F@#K!  Didn't you learn anything from the previous experience?"  He said: "But they're just sooo . . .  cheap!  I can buy three sets of those for the price of only one set of the "GOOD ONE'S".    ::)

    Scott. 

And I just look at the floor and shake my head.
Title: Re: 428 aluminum intakes. WTH??
Post by: roddster on December 30, 2025, 12:20:55 PM
   I'm with the "buy American" team.