My intake will be coming off in a couple of weeks for some engine gasket work. What's the verdict regarding the divider plate inside? Will it make a difference if I remove it?

 

Never thought it was a good idea. I wouldn't remove it. I think it will compromise the structural integrity.

 

Mmmmmm -- how do you figure? From what I know, it was not present on 1998 and later intakes. I reviewed Silver_Dodge's Kegger Mod thread and he has pictures of removing it. Even though it's been 4+ years since I cut down the runners on mine, I remember it being nothing more than a casting remnant. It's a piece of aluminum that is fairly thick and cast in a particular shape, zman.

 

Just my personal opinion. The newer ones might be cast differently or thicker to make up for it. I could be wrong but didn't AIM have his crack after doing the mod?

 

Well, considering he's from Texas -- You know the old saying:

 

hahaha....

 

I got a manifold from a 97, no provisions for EGR, (since my truck didn't have it anyway), still had the center divider. I cut that feller right the hell out. No problems so far.

 

I think my crack was due to a faulty plate from hughes, I think the bolt holes were a bit too off center of the mounting points and I think it "pulled" the keg apart at the bottom.

That,or it was a defective cast keg. It never had the center divider in it.

If I had the center divider, I'd at least make a rounded cut at the top under the TB mount to help stabilize the vacuum on both sides of the engine. It'll help a bit so that each bore in the Throttle Body isn't feeding only one side of the engine. I know that the bottom is open a bit, but there's no sense in the air having to travel straight down and bend 90* to have opposite side bores feed a runner.

Better flow = better go.

 

If I had one with the divider, I'd get one without from the JY, do the mod and have it ready for when the work is performed. Less down time too.

 

Meh, I'm already planning to dive in deep so only the bottoms of my feet are visible. I'm going to take care of that leaking head gasket once and for all, ship the steering box off for a reconditioned unit with bearings, replace the burned up steering pump, install the Rock Solid steering fix, and modify the intake while I'm at it.