PVC Intake

[spkrman]

Figured I'd start a discussion on the subject.

I've had PVC intakes in my past 2 cars with no ill effects... the piping never got nearly hot enough to release any sort of gases. I do mold PVC, and do realize how much it takes to get it to melt/release gases... but as long as its not the thinnest wall stuff, there is no chance of it releasing gasses into the motor, especially not with "cool" air flowin through it. perhaps idling in 110+ degree weather the thin wall stuff will have some issues.

On that note, I mold the thin wall stuff... the thicker walled PVC just takes WAY too much heat to heat all the way through, my space heater gets plenty hot to melt the thin stuff, but it cant get all the way through the thick stuff. if even the heat from the space heater was continuosly blowing on a thicker walled PVC tube while the motor was going... i'd imagine that just the air pulling through the intake would keep it from melting in the first place. If you have heat like the space heater does, your car is probably on fire, and melting PVC is your last worry :).

Everywhere I have read negative about a PVC intake, I havent seen any hard data saying its a bad thing. I've had em in my cars for years, and I the intakes have never gotten remotely close to hot enough to melt.

But, I'd have to say, ABS would be nice to use, its just not as readily available.

And I'd also have to concede that PVC directly over, or running parralel to the motor would not be a good idea.

But, I can't find an intake for under $150 for the yaris... and honestly I think 150 is way too much... doesnt even require any odd bends or a long pipe. PVC just looks like a good option, especially bent (not using 45 degree pieces) and painted.