Making an Intake for the Ameri-Barra Vortec 4200
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- Опубліковано 5 жов 2024
- Today we make a custom Aluminum Sheet Metal intake Manifold for the Ameri-Barra Vortec 4200 DOHC VVT Inline 6 Trailblazer engine in the 1983 Ford Fairmont Futura. We did this by using some custom made 3D printed press dies in order to form our aluminum tubing into the shape of the intake runners. After making a homemade DIY intake manifcold flange, we TIG welded it all together and it came out fantastic!
Thanks for watching!!
I fully support your mission to show people how capable these engines are.
Amen brotha(or sista)
All of the forming for the velocity stacks was pretty ingenious
I shared your channel with a Trail Blazer Facebook group. People there are always looking for ways to increase the power of their TB and wondering how durable the engine is. You’re giving this engine the attention it deserves.
Well said. This engine needs development. Many many fans of this mill out there.
Awesome job man. Came out just like the plazmaman I had for my Barra. Congrats on your visit with Jeremy.
Nice mix of old/new technologies! I like the attention to detail and thought that goes into these projects.
This is extremely impressive fabrication!
Nice work. Keep it up man. Btw 9 second pass is already a hell of an achievement
So I commented first thing this morning but for some reason all my youtube comments didn't post. So I will try it again. Great work Calvin. really cool. I would think if you wanted to run a second set of injectors you could add a angled Bung to the runners on the intake fairly easily you would just need to optimize the angle and length for the injector you wanted to use. could even incorporate a drill guide into your printed jig. I love the fact you are doing all this in your home shop with your dad. You guys are amazing. I also think its great that you are getting recognized by Jeremy, Richard and others for what you are doing. I hope that your Channel takes off. Wouldn't it be great if we could get a billet block, forged internals and a custom cam optimized for boost on one of these. GREAT Work man
Yeah. I saw your comment pop up this morning, but when I went to go read it, it disappeared. Thanks for the kind words.
@@Calvin-Nelson you deserve it you are doing amazing work
Hell yeah love to see innovation
Wax might work better for the stack flaring, we used to use it to form aluminum way back in the day in shop class.
Thanks to Your and Richard vids I bought myself one maybe to replace a 4.0 ohv twin turbo in my Ford Granada in the future ;) I always dreamed of a Barra but obviously these are impossible to get here in Poland, but there are some 4200. So I got one in pieces, on a pallet, payed almost nothing, just to be able to measure it, get to know, etc. Some day maybe I'll put it back together, who knows. But to much work on customers cars to do it soon unfortunetely. If I do it, it will be a stick :) & turbo of course, shooting for 500+ hp. Thanks for all the info in the vids! Greetings from Poland :)
You are a certified mad scientist my man
I have loved your soundtrack choices on all your videos
Fantastic job. Really enjoyed your fabrication.
Need a 3D press die for the flared velocity stacks.
I would definitely buy an intake from you if you ever decide to go into production! Just picked up my motor last week and starting on it soon! Awesome content as always!
It won't be cheap if I have to put as much time into it as I did with this one. Thanks.
@@Calvin-Nelson completely understand!
@@Calvin-Nelson would you consider 3d scanning these and sending them to a machine shops and creating a run ? Im sure people would line up to purchase these from you!
@@pilsonandrew It would probably be better to come up with a different design and have something cast. Things are in the works. That's all I will say.
I want to see one or two of your 4200's on drag week.
I want one of these for my 47 Buick 2 door Sedanette...
Awesome information I have a feeling your channel is like Tesla right before the split getting ready to grow like no other! The cream always Rises to the top and soon the world will see your Genius
What your doing is awesome father timing sent me but y'all r doing great work I look forward to seeing more
Good job, it came out nice
I still dont understand why your channel hasnt blown up with subscribers, guess people dont want something different or like most of my friends that say....i have to have that V8 sound🙄. Im a Ford guy but appreciate any engine capable of making good power with stock production parts. Keep up the awesome work man, love the Studebaker project myself since i have a love for restomods.
It reminds of the 302 gmc inline 6 that they used to beat the v8s when they first came out, it was a beast for its day
great work. ingenuity, imagination.....skill. next 8's
Great work. Been following since 2018! That's exciting to hear skid factory getting information on them.
Man you are one Inspiring guy, Awesome fab work, Keep posting more videos
Wow!! Love the intake and the projects... You need more subscribers... Keep it up guys
Calvin i was thinking the other day when i saw you post this on the 4200 group on FB you should check out the TB48 intake manifolds they sell on alibaba they're $200 and look to be similar in size and length to what a 4200 is, might be able to just cut the TB48 flange off and weld on a 4200 flange if the runners all line up.
Here's a link to the alibaba ad i was talking about
www.alibaba.com/product-detail/aluminum-tb48-air-intake-plenum-for_60659114580.html
@@thewraith6360 Now there is an idea. Only problem I see is it will likely not line up. The TB48 has a 3.92 inch bore. This means that the bore spacing is probably around 4.2-4.3 on the TB48. The bore spacing on a 4200 is 4.062. I wonder if there are other engines out there that we could do something similar with. I like what you are thinking.
@@Calvin-Nelson Theres also the 1FZ from toyota, its a 4.5L which wikipedia says is 3.94 inch bore is that better or worse? I think the closest bore size you'll find with an aftermarket support is the barra (3.632 inch bore) but i can't find anything on alibaba or ebay for the barra, however theres a guy on instagram who's username is "customalloywelding" who sells DIY intake manifold kits for the barra. Its what corey from "fuel injection sucks" youtube page used on his barra ford LTD and i think the kits were pretty damn cheap if im remembering correctly, probably even cheaper if you decide to not get the barra intake flange with the kit. He's starting to make his own billet intake manifold flanges for his barra intake manifolds i don't see why he wouldn't be able to make the same DIY kit but with a 4200 flange instead of a barra one.
@@thewraith6360 The issue is the bore spacing. Not the bore. That is also what I found. The only engine close is the Barra. I'll have to look into their kits.
@@Calvin-Nelson I see, badass job on the intake manifold though really cleaver how you did the velocity stack ends and the plenum never thought of doing a plenum with intercooler piping lol
Have you considered selling the dies and a plans set for this intake or maybe going into production for market?
I have. It may be a little expensive. I have $50 in plastic, and like 2 days in print time alone. If there is interest I would consider it.
I have been meaning to watch this video for a while and man what a treat it was when I finally did! You have a lot of talent and I may be kidding myself but the way your father and you think and your relationship reminds me a lot of mine and my dad. Keep doing what you're doing buddy, I really enjoy the content!
You're about the only guy out there dedicated to what has to be the greatest GM creation of the 21st century. Doing it on a shoestring budget no less.
I'm going to port a couple of sets and get some legit cams using the exact same spec as the best cams I can find for a 2J. I hate video but it has to be done.
My hat's off to you Sir. You're going to succeed in a big way soon enough.
beautiful music
Phenomenal! Really enjoy your channel.
I've been watching a few of your videos on this build now. I'm really impressed. I think I'd love one of these in my pickup. Just NA, it's not a speed build, just a daily. But I like inlines and my old 4.9 is getting hard to get good new parts for, every new parts I've gotten has been poop.
Sorry I can only give you one thumb up on the video. You deserve all the thumbs! Flipping awesome.
Love this! I always had a lot of respect for these 4200’s when I work for GM in the early/ mid 2000’s. I remember hearing rumors that they made low 300’s N/A during commission testing when they were being developed. I’ve been dreaming of some sort of in-line six to to eventually swap in my 280zx turbo. This would be amazing if I could fit it under the hood. 😆
Keep up the great work !
Dang those press dies, well done. Fantastic work.
You found it!! Lol
My father bought a 2008 trailblazer with the 4200... i’ve never even heard anything about these motors. But I always thought it was a pretty cool motor being a 4.2L I6 making 300hp NA... now I’m thinking about dropping my ls swap plans to swap one into my 01 blazer (Xtreme).. I’ve got a 6.0 LS on the stand and boxes full of parts. I’ve Always been a big fan of the RB26-RB25 I6 motors. 🤔.. don’t get me wrong I love the sound of a turbo LS but there is something about that turbo i6 sound coming out of blazer that has slicks and front runners that gives me goosebumps. Maybe it’s just me lol
How to make an aluminum intake? Buy it from Calvin😝
That intro music... This should be in a sepia filter...”We rescued this engine from the third story attic of a lone, decrepit Victorian home. When we found her, she was starving for attention, neglected, lacking the most basic needs. She was GM’s dirty little secret... forgotten...”
Do you have on any plans on selling any of these custom pieces you made for the 4200 platform? I'd love to do a turbo 4200 OBS swap
Right, he'd be making good money being the only one who makes these things. Probably takes forever to make the intake manifold and oil pan tho so he'd be able to name his price lol
I would like to put one of these engines in a Jag I've had sitting in the garage for years. The V12 that's in it was blown years ago.
Do it!
Keep them videos comin
Cool manifold build! Is the plenum all 0.065" wall? Freind of mine had a home built manifold on a Ford zetec turbo and he encountered some weld cracking due to fatigue and flexibility under boost. I'm assuming you didn't put any bracing or baffling inside? Looks good overall, mill work is always fun :)
The tubes are .065. all the flat surfaces are .1875.
Very nice! If these engines get a good cult following, you could probably make a bit fabing and selling these parts.
Awesome fab work! Keep up the great work! 👍🏻
Sick🔥🔥🔥
You really remind me of my nephew he fabricates everything for his engine projects because nothing is made for Buicks
That thing is a beast, gotta find one for myself, heehee
Nice work. I have a TIG machine but never use it. I can't seem to get the hang of it.
It takes a LOT of practice.
I can build things on the lathe and I'll usually take it somewhere else for the welding. @@Calvin-Nelson
I'm just sad that I opted to get the 5.3 GMC Envoy I have instead of picking up the nicer 4.2 that was closer to me because there was no aftermarket support for the 6. The 5.3 is cool to have but it's just a run-of-the-mill LS now.
Its okay the LS is still awesome. Think of it like having a 2jz in Japan. Just because its everywhere doesn't mean its any less cool.
Hi, just wondering if you have tried or would be interested to try putting the exhaust cam onto the intake side for dual VVT. Chevrolet has stated that this engine was designed with future implementation of intake side VVT in mind, and while it's not from the same manufacturer, Frankenstein Motorsport has done a similar thing with the 2ARFXE Toyota motor, putting the intake VVT cam onto the exhaust side and works.
Would definitely be interested, but it would be a very difficult thing to do
Loookin gooood
Damn that stl would come in handy 😉
00:12 - IN THE BIN! 😛
Lol. Glad someone noticed!!
PRIMO fab skills👍👍👍
I have a early trailblazer 4200 and it is a tough engine. A friend has the same engine in a mid size GMC pickup but it is a 5 cylinder.. I would think it has better balance than the 4200.
The 5 cylinders have balance shafts. The 6 cylinders don't, so take that how you will. 😉
Is the intake close to a 2JZ?
Nope. way larger
Great job! Was thinking using Holley terminator x and using progressive nitrous control which uses a pwm to run the pwm solenoid that gm uses control vvt on the 4200 engine.
Any thoughts would be appreciated thanks
@@richardkent3522 Short answer is I don't recommend it.
I tried open loop control before. After figuring out the closed loop control on the Goldbox, I found out that duty cycle does not give a linear response to VVT angle. In fact there is very little correlation. It has to "hunt" around to maintain a steady position. Also, terminator X does not support the more common trigger pattern that these engines have, which is a 6+1 crank wheel.
@@richardkent3522 If it was possible to run the VVT with a Terminator, I would be running one! Trust me!!! Lol
Ok, thanks, One other question how thick is the bellhousing adapter for the studebaker?
@@richardkent3522 3/8"
Great content! I've been looking for a modern inline 5 or 6 to put in my s30. I think this may be it. RB's are for the rich. If only the valve cover didnt look so meh. :D
Agreed. The valve covers are a little ugly. That's why I modified the one on my wagon.
Now that you have the prototype made can you 3d print an intake? There's definitely a market for an affordable intake option.
Amera-Barra ftw!!
Awesome!!! Are those injector sockets on the head? If so you can put two injector bungs on each runner and run 18 injectors and never run out of fuel 😎
Haha. Yeah. We'll do that when we break 2000hp. Lol
Awesome job 3d printed dyes were sweet . What do u and the Oldman do for day jobs? with the skills n knowledge that u have it must be in welding , automotive or engineering but i wouldn't be suprised if u said computers as intelligent as u are.
Thanks. I'm an Electrical Engineer, and my Dad is a Mechanical engineer.
I'm wondering if you could make either a 3x2 sidedraught set up with the Borla throttle bodies (their IDA 48 look alikes), or a full ITB (6x1) set up like the old BMW M6's and M5's had? 🤔
When there is a will, there is a way
@@Calvin-Nelson The only major difference in what I think I will do is, instead of using a Ford Fox body, I would like to try a GM G-body car with a 4L80-E transmission.
Great work! I thought you were going to print out adapters to use a 2jz intake setup?
Decided that was not worth the risk. Also, the 2jz plenum is not really ideal for a 4.2L.
Nivlac57 what are you running for plugs and gap? We have been running my build on dyno and thinking about different plugs and turn the up boost to 15psi +.
@@gregsefcik6700 I've been running NGK LTR6IX plugs. With like .025 gap.
Thanks man!
Tungsten Disulfide for the pistons for low friction and wear….
Man I finally toasted my RB25... I've really been thinking about building one of these engines..that would be a decent bump in displacement for me.... how well do they rev out tho??? I just found your channel and I've been trying to soak up the info thank you!!!
They rev ok. With the right damper 7000 is possible. They aren't like the Nissan motors though. Lol.
Yep that's cool!
What 3d printer are you using?
Prusa Mk3s
I really need a manifold. What would it cost for you to make a guy one?
The process is called metal spinning.
Why did I just haul my 05 trailblazer to the scrapyard? Motor was in A1 shape 🙁
Looks great. Alot of manual labor. Did you use any formulas or just the"SWAG" theory?
I talked to a guy that has done intake manifold design in the past. Followed his recommendations. Only thing I didn't do was make the radius entry into the runners like he wanted me to. I figured the velocity stacks would do ok, and I was just trying to get it done.
@@Calvin-Nelson cool thanks.
Freaking killer
How many runners do you think the 3d printed press could do before it is too worn?
Make a form tool for your tool post.
Did you use any kind of gasket in-between where the intake mates up with the block? I know the stock one has the 3 individual gaskets.
Yes. My dad made a paper gasket
How much would you charge me for everything ? As in to ship the parts so I could do my own ? I have been watching a mannn I really want to be different from where I am from in Michigan Pontiac
Tremendous information I want swap 4.2 into RX8 do you think is possible??
You would probably need a pretty large bump in the hood. It may fit better than I anticipate. I've never really been around one. We made one fit in a Fiat, so anything is possible.
E85 won't eat up the plastic? I have no idea what you printed it with just assuming regular pla - would love to do a similar injector setup on my subaru
I have a 1967 Chevy C-10 with a 250 straight 6 , I would love to put a stock 2006 4200 motor and transmission , and rad in my truck , Are these motor and trans cheap to buy from a scrap yard ?
Yes. Very cheap
Did you ever get anywhere with the 3d printed manifold? Would love to get the file.
I don't think the 3d printer runners is a great idea. I'm actually looking to have the designs made in metal soon.
What were the tube specs you used for the intake runners?? Wall thickess/diameter. Thanks
I used 2.5 diameter 0.060 wall, but I would recommend 2.25 diameter
06:20 come with me and you'll see - the world of osha violations XD
The intake looks great! Are you selling parts you make for these engines?
Nope. Too much time involved
@@Calvin-Nelson I understand that, I just wasn’t sure since you were talking about possibly selling the 3d printed intake runners in the one video.
@@chrissmyth8926 Nah. Too much risk there. Lol. I never actually had the guts to try them out unfortunately
Would you be willing to build another intake like this?
No. Have waaaay too much time in it.
Where can i find the intake manifold fromb
I was wondering would u build the same intake for mine? And what would u charge?
Probably not. I have way too much time into it. I'm working with someone to try to start selling intakes though. Stay tuned for that.
your fabrication skills are awesome but need more practice on these welds nice job
For sure. I did my best. I'm happy with it.
Polish it 😊
Where I can buy the turbo manifolds???
I made both of them. I would have to charge way too much for them to make it worth my time.
6:23 omg that made me fucking nervous lol
Any data on intake temps with a black painted IC vs natural?
Nope. It will probably hurt the performance of the intercooler, but if you are going for stealth, it is what it is.
How much would u charge to make intake for my 04chevy trailblazer
I have way too much time into these manifolds. I'm trying to work with larger companies to produce them. Stay tuned
Can we get that stl file
Has anyone attempted fabricating an intake to run a supercharger?
Yep.
@@Calvin-Nelson where do I find the information on that?
Would you sell the intake flange as a part?
There was a guy doing it on the Facebook page. I need to look into have a place make them. Making them on a manual mill sucks.
@@Calvin-Nelson seems like having one laser or water jet cut would be an easier, though costlier option.
What material are you 3d printing the press dies from?
Polycarbonate
@@Calvin-Nelson Got a link, by chance? I make some press dies for things reasonably often, and usually I make them out of wood and it's very time consuming. Being able to use print them would be a huge time saver. Thanks.
Is there vvt on the intake cam
No. Only exhaust.
Are you using any head studs and if so can I have the part number please
I am not. 97-02 Gen 3 LS head studs should work though.
@@Calvin-Nelson thanks man I really appreciate the information
Loads of work when you could run an ls with a 2 cylinder advantage. The cost of the 4200 is foolish
The cost of not doing something that will make you happy is far more foolish. Personally I try not to judge others for doing what makes them happy.