Looking to buy a new intake for my truck. What is out there? I see Dorman is popular, but is it decent? I have reservations about Dorman parts.... but will get it if you guys say it is reliable. Is there anything else out there that is better?

 

See if you can find an aluminum intake off a 99 F150 5.4.

https://www.f150online.com/forums/v8...-4-intake.html

Otherwise, Dorman is the only game in town.

 

I have seen other brands than Dorman.

the aluminum is only the upper and not the lower as well, correct?

 

That I don't know.

I do know that if you use a Dorman manifold, you have to use their gaskets, not Ford gaskets.

 

I do know if I go with an aftermarket manifold that my Ford gaskets won't work

I did some more searching and you can get the aluminum upper and lower manifolds from a 99 --- this will pretty much triple the cost of the manifold though over a new plastic aftermarket unit.

good thing this isn't my daily driver......

 

The thing with the "after market" upper intake I had noticed is that many did not have the brass threaded inserts for all of the bolts that attach to the manifold.
Dorman seemed to have the fewest brass threaded inserts , & OEM had the most, as well as, a better PCV port on the rear......so look closely at what your are getting. I got a aftermarket one and it wasn't a Dorman, ( sorry I can't remember what it was) it had the brass inserts for most of the more critical attaching points but not all. So far the one I got is working well.....but If I had to do it again I'd probably spring for the OEM, or maybe try to find the all aluminum stuff.

Without the brass threaded inserts they most likely include self threading screws and these are way easy to over torque and strip as you go into the plastic. With brass threaded inserts your readily able to remove and retighten bolts without so much concern of stripping it out. Not that you can't strip this brass threaded inserts out but it is harder.

Also note the rear PCV port on the rear....This where the one I got seemed to fall short. The fitment was a bit sloppy in a area that is prone to vacuum leaks ( the infamous "elbow") & it came with a couple of different options to put in (depending on your application), so, you and to pick the one that works for yours. Now to my knowledge it hasn't been leaking, but why add to already suspect area.

 

I ended up getting the 1999 aluminum Ford intake off ebay. this is what I got:


replacement pipe for the bent one on it (dorman):






and the lower (dorman):

 

forgot to order a new knock sensor

got the lower today. what is the huge hole in the front?


any lube or adhesive I should use on the new pipe when I go to put it in? what is the correct orientation of it?

 

So.... Dorman says there is a block off plate in the box...... there wasn't...... Rockauto says there is not one included......

not happy right now..... i need this plate!!!!!

 

so has no one here actually put an aluminum upper and lower on a non-1999 model?

seems like everyone here recommended this, but now that I got it, there is 0 support of these components

that hole should have a block off plate or a tuning valve, but if I just through a tuning valve in there to cover the hole, I will probably fail smog because the techs will think I have something that is not hooked up

 

I just looked at my truck but the alternator is sitting in the way blocking my view. MIne has a plastic manifold. It's been raining here the last couple of days. I'll try to get a better look when the rain stops.

 

yeah, I just ordered aluminum to make my own block off plate.....

someone else @ dorman said they don't make one.....

 

 

This happened today.

what is the recommended way to screw it down? I have a flat washer, split lock washer, and blue loctite.

I can use all, or some. Lmk

 

going to be joining the upper and lower this weekend. what should I use as far as bolt heads, flanged, regular? also what washers? split lock, flat, etc.....