I been playing with the idea of making a 3d printed intake for my car. So far I finished with the design and printed a test fit piece in PLA. Now is time to pick a material that can take the under hood temperatures. Under hood temperature under heavy load will be around 210-220F. What do you guys suggest to print the final intake? Someone suggested Nylon. I did some research and Nylon 66 or PE 66 is used extensively in intake manifolds but I do t think is the same exact material that we can 3d print.

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Polycarbonate or high temp nylon. Are you sure that temp range is correct for under the hood on the intake? I have no idea it just seems high to me.

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Polycarbonate is probably the most heat-resistant filament that can be printed on consumer printers; it prints at a little more than 300degC, but it may start getting soft at lower temps and I don’t think it would last as long as you’d like it to.

You could consider making a mold with the PLA print, and just casting the manifold with a resin specifically designed for this application (or any high temperature resin really). It’s more work on your end, but the end result will be very nice. This may not be the best option if you have no experience with casting though; it’s not hard but will take a bit of learning to get to work nicely.

Sorry I put Celsius by mistake. The temperature range is 210-220 Fahrenheit. Which high temp nylon are you suggesting?

Nice looking part! Our HT material might just be enough for your application, with a temperature resistance of about 100/110C. We’ve helped a guy 3D print inlet manifolds which he has used on a Mini Cooper.

best,
Gijs

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Thanks! I been looking at your filament and I am wondering how food is at taking vibration and repeated heat cycles?

You could you matterhackers PC or Polycarbonate. You put Fahrenheit.

There are not too many Thermoset resins that can take that kind of heat. Thermoplastics are the way to go.

Honestly, PC or Nylon are your best bet for a prosumer machine. If you want something that will last spend the money and get your part made out of ULTEM 1010. I know a few guys that use this under their Corvette and it works like a charm.

-Peak Additive

How big is this part? We might have some time for a test print…

The elbow is not that big. I don’t have the model with me right now but if I remember correctly It is about 11" on the long side, on the short side is about 6" and the diameter is 3.25" OD. I will verify the dimensions when I get home. Let me know if you want me send you the STL file.

Thanks

The dimension are actually 9" x 5" with a 3.25" OD.

STL file would be great!

best,

Gijs

Here is the STL file.

Thanks
Elbow for ColorFabb.STL (34.5 MB)

Thanks! It’s a little tall for the standard UM2, so I’ve split the part. Let you know how it progresses.

best,
Gijs

Awesome thanks for the update. I am going to Atlanta Motorsports Park on August the 27th. Maybe the part can see some real world testing :).

Hi Juan,

Stumbled on this thread. FYI, we have a garage at AMP, 3D printer, and Solid Works. Please email me at mike@hongnorr.com if we can help in any way, or swing by the garage next time you’re at the track (HONG NORR - a couple doors down from Discovery)

Mike