Polishing A Stocker Intake

SSGT Mustang · 01-04-2014, 07:11 PM

I'm pretty sure that the answer is no, but I'll ask anyway. Can the outside of an aluminum stocker intake be polished, so long as the runners, plenum, etc. are not modified?

I know that they can be painted. Polishing would look really nice though.

69Cobra · 01-04-2014, 11:19 PM

I've wondered the same thing.

Geerhead55 · 01-04-2014, 11:29 PM

You would think it shouldn't matter, as long as you can prove it hasn't been "polished" inside, should a tech official ask you to remove it. My 2 cents.
Danny Durham

Chipper Chapman · 01-04-2014, 11:39 PM

I believe you're not even supposed to remove any casting flash somewhere in the book, so my take would be not allowed.

SSGT Mustang · 01-04-2014, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geerhead55

You would think it shouldn't matter, as long as you can prove it hasn't been "polished" inside, should a tech official ask you to remove it. My 2 cents.
Danny Durham

I agree. Also, as long as you don't remove or modify the part number or any other identifiers. Just polishing it so it looks nice (like using chrome or polished valve covers, timing covers, etc.).

John Scott · 01-05-2014, 08:58 AM

"Must retain the unaltered stock manifold, consistent with year and
engine horsepower claimed. Grinding, sandblasting, or any other
modification to manifold prohibited. Any film coating inside
manifold prohibited. Runners and plenum must retain OEM
appearance. Final acceptance at the discretion of the NHRA
Technical Services Department."

I'm with Chipper. I interpret the rule to mean that polishing would not be allowed.

John

HandOverFist · 01-05-2014, 10:51 AM

Considering the intent of the rule I doubt one would have a problem with it.

Tom Meyer · 01-05-2014, 12:41 PM

So you can not laser cut it . I have heard about this, but was it ever done?? Tom

Lee Valentine · 01-05-2014, 12:46 PM

Stop worrying about the outside and work on the inside. Bill Jenkins once told me if it ain't ugly it's not going to be fast, because you're worried about the wrong thing. This isn't a car show it's a race.

Alan Roehrich · 01-05-2014, 12:59 PM

Your problem will be that there will be a question of whether or not you polished the outside in order to disguise illegal cutting, welding, and/or grinding, or other alterations.

I'm with Lee. Make little effort, and spend little money, upon appearances until the car is very competitive. It need only be presentable and not embarassing. There's nothing wrong with wanting it to look good. But not at the expense of making it faster. If you're polishing the intake yourself, there are other things to better spend your time on. If you're paying someone to do it, there are other things to better spend your money on.

01-04-2014, 07:11 PM	#1
SSGT Mustang Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jersey Posts: 359 Likes: 35 Liked 204 Times in 54 Posts	Polishing A Stocker Intake I'm pretty sure that the answer is no, but I'll ask anyway. Can the outside of an aluminum stocker intake be polished, so long as the runners, plenum, etc. are not modified? I know that they can be painted. Polishing would look really nice though.

01-04-2014, 11:19 PM	#2
69Cobra Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: California, Ky Posts: 669 Likes: 61 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Polishing A Stocker Intake I've wondered the same thing. __________________ Kris Rachford 69 Cobra 428CJ 4 Speed C/S 3032

01-04-2014, 11:29 PM	#3
Geerhead55 VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tacoma, Washington Posts: 1,632 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Polishing A Stocker Intake You would think it shouldn't matter, as long as you can prove it hasn't been "polished" inside, should a tech official ask you to remove it. My 2 cents. Danny Durham

01-04-2014, 11:39 PM	#4
Chipper Chapman Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Belmont N.S. Canada Posts: 473 Likes: 246 Liked 166 Times in 71 Posts	Re: Polishing A Stocker Intake I believe you're not even supposed to remove any casting flash somewhere in the book, so my take would be not allowed. __________________ Chris Chapman 1969 Chevelle NHRA F-G/SA 1090

01-05-2014, 08:58 AM	#6
John Scott Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 69 Likes: 1 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Polishing A Stocker Intake "Must retain the unaltered stock manifold, consistent with year and engine horsepower claimed. Grinding, sandblasting, or any other modification to manifold prohibited. Any film coating inside manifold prohibited. Runners and plenum must retain OEM appearance. Final acceptance at the discretion of the NHRA Technical Services Department." I'm with Chipper. I interpret the rule to mean that polishing would not be allowed. John

01-05-2014, 10:51 AM	#7
HandOverFist VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Gulf Breeze, FL Posts: 1,651 Likes: 8 Liked 33 Times in 16 Posts	Re: Polishing A Stocker Intake Considering the intent of the rule I doubt one would have a problem with it. __________________ Rich Taylor I/SA - 321

01-05-2014, 12:41 PM	#8
Tom Meyer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Pierce NE Posts: 933 Likes: 74 Liked 351 Times in 120 Posts	Re: Polishing A Stocker Intake So you can not laser cut it . I have heard about this, but was it ever done?? Tom __________________ Tom Meyer 5240 SS Stock ???

01-05-2014, 12:46 PM	#9
Lee Valentine Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Brookfield, CT Posts: 708 Likes: 13 Liked 319 Times in 68 Posts	Re: Polishing A Stocker Intake Stop worrying about the outside and work on the inside. Bill Jenkins once told me if it ain't ugly it's not going to be fast, because you're worried about the wrong thing. This isn't a car show it's a race. __________________ Lee Valentine 1661 STK

01-05-2014, 12:59 PM	#10
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,090 Likes: 1,534 Liked 1,758 Times in 398 Posts	Re: Polishing A Stocker Intake Your problem will be that there will be a question of whether or not you polished the outside in order to disguise illegal cutting, welding, and/or grinding, or other alterations. I'm with Lee. Make little effort, and spend little money, upon appearances until the car is very competitive. It need only be presentable and not embarassing. There's nothing wrong with wanting it to look good. But not at the expense of making it faster. If you're polishing the intake yourself, there are other things to better spend your time on. If you're paying someone to do it, there are other things to better spend your money on. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S