meyerj88

Ok... The other day I found that I have the all-plastic intake manifold on my 01 GT. I know there have been a lot of questions about the intake because I have used the search option, but I still haven't quite had my question answered yet. How durable is the all-plastic intake? Will it last for as long as I have the car if I don't mod the engine? The reason I ask is because my parents used to have an old Oldsmobile that had the 3800 series II engine and it also had a plastic intake. On that engine the manifold would need to be replaced approximately every 60,000 miles (The reason they sold it after the first replacement). It wasn't just that car either... it was almost every GM car w/ the 3800 engine. My friend had Pontiac GTP that needed the intake replaced and his parents had a Buick that needed it as well. Is the Ford intake a ticking time bomb or does it have a better design?

Also... down the road if I decide to supercharge my car, do I need to get the manifold w/ the alumiunum crossover or can the plastic intake handle the 8-9 psi boost safely? There probably won't be any other mods done to the car. If I supercharged it, it would be all stock at first.

AJ06GT

Nope, it's a ticking time bomb. There's not telling when, but it will almost certainly go no matter what you've done to your car. The stock manifold cracked on my car when the previous owner had it, and he certainly had no mods on the car. Just don't worry about it until it happens. It'll happen eventually, then you'll swap it. No point in worrying too much, it wont blow anything up when it finally cracks.

idcoocheimonster

As i had it understood. All mid '99+ GT's already cam with the aluminum crossover. As to where all the non-PI's came with the plastic one. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. Now if it already has the aluminum croosover, you should (and trust me I mean SHOULD) be ok with the Manifold under normal circumstances.

meyerj88

Nah.. I'm not worried too much. I was just curious. I had no idea Ford used plastic for their intakes too. My Dad has been avoiding all GM cars because of our experience w/ the 3800 engine. I guess GM isn't the only one now.

How about the manifold w/ the alumiunum crossover? How is the durability on that one?

idcoocheimonster

As to the reliability. My car, a 2001 Gt, has 130,xxx miles on it. And is all stock, save for the free mod of the removal of the intake silencer. And the manifold is still intact. Sure, it's blown out a spark plug or two. But never a leaky manifold.

meyerj88

I don't think so. I looked at my engine and it looks like I have the all plastic version.

Poobs

I screwed mine when trying to change the thermostat. If you over tighten the bolts on the thermostat housing it will cost you a new manifold

MediaMike

How do tell if you have the plastic intake or not? Also, how do tell the difference between a PI and non-PI? Sorry, I'm new to this whole Mustang thing and just recently bought a 2002 Mineral Grey Metallic Mustang GT and wouldn't mind knowing a little more about it.

dubarado

if it's stock and not a bullit, mach, or cobra.... it's plastic... and PI is 99+... non-PI is the 4.6 powered sn-95's.... gray is a good choice of color BTW... and I believe the lil aluminum crossover came in 03 or 04... becuase my 04 gt has it.

MediaMike

Thanks for the information. I love the color too. It's weird because sometimes it looks almost tan/pewter in certain light and angles.