I'm thinking of routing my intake in similar fashion to GMK and Titan (See NECO boards). Those guys have a pretty good deal going, but I'd like to go even cheaper. I've found some sources for 3" stainless or aluminum pipe, but that still puts me in the $75 range just for pipe and connectors. I'm also thinking "plastics" for heat-soak avoidance.

1. CPVC--I've heard PVC is bad, but CPVC is rated to 300 degrees F. Any fume issues with it?

2. ABS--can it take the heat?

3. PC-ABS--Where do you get this stuff?

4. Shop-Vac hose--Yes, I know it has internal ridges, but they are of uniform height. I don't know how large a hose is available, but if the hose were of, say 3.5" ID, the ridges would be covered by the boundary airflow, and the non-turbulent core airflow would be identical to that in a 3" smooth pipe. (That's my armchair theory, anyway.) Any thoughts on this are appreciated.

Function before fashion. '96 Contour SE "Toss the Contour into a corner, and it's as easy to catch as a softball thrown by a preschooler." -Edmunds, 1998