Inlet Manifold Re-Design

[8V_lane_tamer]

Just started my autosport engineering degree at uni, and as part of the sylabus (<- ?) i have to do some rapid prototyping. If anyone is unfamiliar with rapid prototyping it basically consists of feeding a computer aided design into a prototyping machine which in automotive terms usually involves a resin bath which uses lasers to build up a model in 0.1mm increments. In my case, iv got access to a powder based prototyping machine. I'm a bit dubious about the airflow issues at the end of the model, due to surface roughness issues, but thats a bit of a side note. The reason for me waffling on is that weve basically been given a blank slate to design any automotive related part we want. I thought it might be a good idea to flow an original manifold, redesign it, then flow the prototype and see if i can make a vast improvement on it.
My question basically is, is it worth it? I was planning to design it for a stage 1 type engine with basic breathing improvements (straight thru exhaust, induction kit, tubular manifold). My concern is that the original manifold flows an adequate amount of air for simple breathing mods, and any increase in flow may result in the engine drawing in too much air thus creating a narrower but higher power band, pretty much against the reason i own an 8v. In an ideal world i'd like to bring the power band down slightly lower. iirc its set about 3500rpm. If i could bring it down to about 3000rpm or even 2500rpm, that would be awesome.
Sorry for waffling, but any advice to give me a bit of a leg-up would be marvellous. Side note, i need a standard manifold and standard head (blacktop 90bhp; condition is not an issue provided neither is cracked) at a super reasonable price as uni wont buy me one if anyone has one lying about. :( Thanks again for reading this mini essay :)
P.s. if anyone has seen this on saxo sports, i apologise :)

[Simo]

Sounds like an interesting project ;)

An inlet manifold re-design would certainly be useful for saxo owners who have turbocharged or supercharged their engines (better flow/strangth/pressure rating, etc).

I guess this isn't really what you are after though, as it would make your experiements/improvements harder to quantify?

I have a spare VTS inlet manifold, but sadly do not have a spare 8v inlet. :oops:

Would your re-design look simply at flow regimes, etc or would you look at increasing throttle body diameter too? I guess you want to compare standard parts with re-designed parts of the same dimensions, etc?

[8V_lane_tamer]

the original plan was to use standard parts. this would give me a betta idea of flow increase. if i was successful in designin a manifold which both increased flow while maintaining a positive turbulence thru to the combustion chamber, i would probably have a look at increasin throttle body diameter. I realise all engineering is based on a trial and error approach , but as i am only gonna get two attempts at creating this manifold, i wouldnt mind a hand to make sure im as close as possible first time. Ya see, the point of the project from the unis point of view is not to create an efficient part, more to familiarise myself with the rapid prototyping process. So as far as there concerned, provided i have documentation and a model, regardless of how well it works, i will still pass. I jus quite fancied killing two birds with one stone.

[WestyVTR]

look at other performance parts speak to the companys who designed them, find out all the relitive info then have a bash yourself...! interesting post, hope all goes well....