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By DANIEL TINDER - 3 Years Ago
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A Calif. BT seller offers to paint manifold for an added $50. It seems likely they would be experienced in any required prep, etc., and thus maybe worth it (?).
Just wondering if anyone has dealt with them? Their descriptions & reviews seem quite positive, though over $700 IS pricey. While I likely won’t put the manifold into service anytime soon, I worry about future availability (not to mention inflation). In fact, I may not upgrade to a larger carb. yet, even then, so I wonder if the available conversion spacers work well in reverse (teapot on BT)?
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By Lou - 3 Years Ago
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If you painted the engine yourself, I would sugest you paint the manafold yourself as to asure a color match.
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By DANIEL TINDER - 3 Years Ago
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N/A. I’m sure they have access to the same spray cans.
I’m currently conversing re: high-temp undercoat on the heat riser area. Apparently, not something they routinely do.
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By MoonShadow - 3 Years Ago
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If you aren't in a hurry why not order a Mummert manifold and wait for it? They do out perform the BT.
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By 55blacktie - 3 Years Ago
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Different lots of the same color, even from same manufacturer, can vary slightly. Unless you don't intend to repaint your engine, I wouldn't recommend having someone else paint the intake. Even then, you might be more successful picking the color that most closely matches your engine. Quality-wise, not all brands are equal. Unless you want it to look original, while retaining heat choke, I, too, would consider Mummert's intake. It was considerably cheaper than BT last time I looked.
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By slumlord444 - 3 Years Ago
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I'd definitely paint it myself. I went with Blue Thunder because I got a deal on one someone here had and because when painted it is difficult to tell that it's not a B intake. The Mummert is not as easy to hide. Performance wise on the street I doubt if you'd notice the difference. If you aren't in a rush and Mummert is cheaper I'd go with Mummert. I have his heads and love them. He has great parts.
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By Joe-JDC - 3 Years Ago
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Performance wise, I have ported a couple of dozen of the Mummert and BT manifolds, and out of the box, they flow nearly identical average cfm. Both can be ported to flow nearly the same amount of air, also. The newest version of the BT without the slot has the firing order on it, and it is definitely hard to distinguish from a stock iron intake when painted red. This intake helped make 402hp on my latest Y Block. Joe-JDC 
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By PF Arcand - 3 Years Ago
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Daniel: If you can get by without an exhaust deflector, your chances of keeping paint on the crossover will be better. Unless you really need heat, I'd use Truck intake gaskets, which are available and they have partially restricted crossover heat. I have them on a 'B" intake, without the exhaust flap & the heat seems to be adequate & the paint stays on so far. I live in S. West Canada... And re $700 for a B.T. intake. That can't be right!.
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By DANIEL TINDER - 3 Years Ago
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Thanks all for the feedback: M.S.: J.M. built my stroker motor, but I want the heat riser.
55BT: Since parts were painted at long time intervals, I will have to live with any variation of lot shades from the same brand/color. Also, willing to pay more for the OEM look.
SL444: Just too many other irons-in-the-fire these day to bother with saving only 50 bucks (I’m getting the firing order model).
Joe: “without the slot”. I assume previous models have a non-orig. ‘slot’ to accept elect. distributors? I will be using OEM or vintage Mallory.
DLR: The eBay seller recommended Dupli-Color. T-Bird restorers use Seymour. I coated the riser area on my orig. iron manifold with red hi-temp engine enamel before final color applied. I also have no butterfly. Paint still like new after 100K miles.
Paul: I also use the truck gasket. Might be enough to prevent riser paint damage by itself, but why risk it? Also, will do some more shopping before spending the $700, but if only viable outlet for the latest firing # model, then no choice.
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By charliemccraney - 3 Years Ago
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The slot is a window cut out in the dividing wall between the two ovals. This reduces vacuum and hurts low end performance.
If you get one of these older ones, have that filed in. It makes a big difference.
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By DANIEL TINDER - 3 Years Ago
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Thanks Charlie. eBay listing photo shows no slot on new Y-Block models, though I notice their FE manifolds still have it.
P.S. re: the high/$700 (delivered) price. Nobody else selling them on eBay. ‘Google shopping’ neither.
BTW: I like the seller’s blurb re: prep & handling. If you have been buying things from China like I have recently, you would appreciate, & happily pay a premium to avoid grief down the road.
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By Ted - 3 Years Ago
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Here’s some more info on both the Blue Thunder intakes and the slots.
The latest version Blue Intake (Version V) has the firing order and no plenum slot. Version IV intakes also came without the plenum slot but has no firing order. Version I, II, & III intakes have the plenum slots. Version III intakes were modified at the back to accommodate the larger diameter MSD distributors. Version 1V & V intakes continue to have that modification for the larger diameter distributors. Version II has a slightly higher carburetor base than version I.
Here is the article that was in a previous issue of ‘The Y-Block Magazine’ that went into detail as to the different performance attributes of plenum slots versus no plenum slots.
Intake Manifold Plenum Slots – Eaton Balancing
Keep in mind that the ECZ-B 4V iron intakes came from the factory with and without the firing order on the intakes. As a general rule, ECZ-B intake manifolds cast until mid-February 1957 did not have the firing order on them and intakes cast after that had the firing order.
As Joe points out, the performance between the Blue Thunder and the Mummert intakes are similar when comparing both as un-ported and ported. Despite the higher cost of the Blue Thunder intake manifolds, I still have those people that want the Blue Thunder due to them being heat riser capable and/or having an appearance that looks closer to being stock. When the Blue Thunder intake is painted, it takes a sharp eye to discern that manifold from a stock intake.
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By Richard - 3 Years Ago
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RE: Version lll -V larger diameter Distributor mount… Can a stock diameter distributor be used
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By charliemccraney - 3 Years Ago
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The one in my picture is Version II or earlier and it works with stock distributors so III and later will definitely work for a stock distributor..
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By DANIEL TINDER - 3 Years Ago
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Ted (9/22/2021)
Here’s some more info on both the Blue Thunder intakes and the slots. The latest version Blue Intake (Version V) has the firing order and no plenum slot. Version IV intakes also came without the plenum slot but has no firing order. Version I, II, & III intakes have the plenum slots. Version III intakes were modified at the back to accommodate the larger diameter MSD distributors. Version 1V & V intakes continue to have that modification for the larger diameter distributors. Version II has a slightly higher carburetor base than version I. Here is the article that was in a previous issue of ‘The Y-Block Magazine’ that went into detail as to the different performance attributes of plenum slots versus no plenum slots. Intake Manifold Plenum Slots – Eaton Balancing Keep in mind that the ECZ-B 4V iron intakes came from the factory with and without the firing order on the intakes. As a general rule, ECZ-B intake manifolds cast until mid-February 1957 did not have the firing order on them and intakes cast after that had the firing order. As Joe points out, the performance between the Blue Thunder and the Mummert intakes are similar when comparing both as un-ported and ported. Despite the higher cost of the Blue Thunder intake manifolds, I still have those people that want the Blue Thunder due to them being heat riser capable and/or having an appearance that looks closer to being stock. When the Blue Thunder intake is painted, it takes a sharp eye to discern that manifold from a stock intake.
Ted,
I see the seller also offers (alum.?) BT hold-down clamps. Is there reason (aside from weight) to use instead of the OEM steel clamps?
Also, the eBay seller lists you as a customer. Have you experience with their powder-coat/Duplicate-Color work, and likely recommend?
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