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 • 1200cc Controlled Manifolds

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 • 1200cc Controlled Manifolds

Posted by fvee5 at 23-02-2010 00:33
Hi everyone,

I race a Formula Vee in the US and we are using 1200 cc motors. We are currently evaluating the use of a spec (controlled) manifold and one of your controlled manifolds was sent over here for us to evaluate. I haven't personally seen the manifold but I have seen pictures. I don't do my own engine work so I don't know a lot about this kind of stuff but some concerns have been voiced to me about issues that might come up if we did make the switch to a spec manifold. A couple of these concerns are that there will be more development work on heads and carbs thus costing competitors more money for those parts and that the spec manifolds that end up flowing better then others will end up being worth more. However, the spec manifold is attractive to a lot of drivers because of the low cost and the perception that it will equalize the playing field. One comment is that it worked for you guys so it work for us. I just want to make sure that we are comparing apples to apples so I hope you guys don't mind if I ask some questions about it. I appreciate any information that you can give me.

1) Why and when was the controlled manifold introduced?
2) I noticed from your rules that your engines are "sealed". Does this limit the amount of porting that can be done on the heads?
3) Was there any development work on the engines to help them work better with the controlled manifold?
4) How many controlled manifolds were initially made and what was the cost?
5) I understand that it is difficult to obtain a controlled manifold now -- why is that?
6) Have the controlled manifolds ended up costing more now as a result?
7) How soon after the spec manifold was introduced did the 1600 cc motors get introduced and what percentage of the drivers switched to 1600s?
8 ) Approximately how many FV drivers are currently running with the controlled manifold?

Ok, that is probably enough to get the discussion going. :) If there is any other info that you think I need then please pass it along!

Best regards and happy racing!

Ray Phillips
Member
Posts: 2

 • Re: 1200cc Controlled Manifolds

Posted by daniel at 18-03-2010 10:06
Hi Ray
Your concerns about the extra work on porting heads could be valid, it wasnt an issue here because when the 1200 control manifolds came in most of the focus had already shifted to 1600 engines.
Also we have supply issues now as a min order of around 20 or so units is required. This means that a lot of old cars in sheds are hard to sell/arn't running because they cant get the right manifold or run with the old one.

One idea that has been suggested here is to go with a 1300/1500 single port manifold which *Should* outflow even the best 1200 heads, but no research has been done on that.

Daniel
Manager
Posts: 12

 • Re: 1200cc Controlled Manifolds

Posted by fvee5 at 19-03-2010 03:51
Hi Daniel,

Thanks for the reply -- I was beginning to wonder if anybody was out there! My engine builder did dyno one of your control manifolds and he didn't like the resultant power band which led him to believe that there would be some re-porting of heads in order to make it work the most effectively. Other engine builders feel the same way which means that there would be a lot of extra money spent on re-designing heads -- which are certainly more expensive then manifolds. Our FV committee is still looking into a spec manifold but the focus has shifted to coming up with something that is a little closer in size to our current manifolds. This of course means that there needs to be an evaluation period for each design that they come with so the earliest that it could be implemented is 2011 and it is more likely that it will be 2012 -- if it is implemented at all. At this point it is not a parts supply issue so it is still unclear as to whether or not most of our drivers even want to entertain a spec manifold. Again, if you or anyone else has any info that you think is pertinent to our discussions then please pass it along.

Best Regards,

Ray
Member
Posts: 2

 • Re: 1200cc Controlled Manifolds

Posted by chequer57 at 25-03-2010 08:37
Hi Daniel & Ray,

Daniel I assume what you mean with your suggestion is use the centre section of a 1300 or 1500 manifolds and make up ends to suit a 1200.

1300/1500 engines are wider port to port and their inlet manifold ports are angled while a 1200 is horizontal.

Ray I would be asking the people involved in the concept and fabrication of our control manifold questions directly it seems they may be a bit shy of forums.

Regards,

Ian Lee
Manager
Posts: 26