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For years, unscrupulous competitors have advertised their knock-off intake manifolds as being the “same as Skunk2.” They aren’t. Skunk2’s Pro Series Intake Manifold continues to set the bar and remains the most copied intake manifold around simply because it’s the best. Learn why Pro Series Intake Manifolds stand apart from the rest and how you can avoid being fooled by the clone makers.
Poor Appearance:
Open the clones' box and the casting flaws and irregular blemishes are obvious. That's because the clone makers put little effort into ensuring an acceptable level of quality. In contrast, the care taken by the foundry to produce the highest quality as demanded by Skunk2 is unmatched. Even the clone makers' materials are different. Although both manifolds are constructed of cast aluminum, only Pro Series Intake Manifolds are made from virgin, 356 aluminum, not recycled metals that are brittle and prone to cracking and discoloration. (Be sure to view the photo gallery for close-up comparisons and detailed descriptions.)
Poor Performance:
The more air and fuel that can be introduced into an engine's combustion chambers, the more power can potentially be made. High-flow air filters, exhaust systems, headers, throttle bodies, and intake manifolds all contribute to this. But a bottleneck within any one of these components can restrict flow. That's why Skunk2 ensured that its Pro Series Intake Manifolds allow for maximum port-matching to take advantage of up to 75mm throttle bodies. The clone manifolds allow for no more than 66mm throttle body port-matching, creating a significant bottleneck within the intake stream and severely limiting horsepower potential. The clone manifolds' irregular casting is also apparent inside where harsh transitions from the plenum to the runners create turbulence and restrict smooth airflow. (Be sure to view the photo gallery for close-up comparisons and detailed descriptions.)
Get ready because other clone manifolds will be introduced to the market shortly, some under the guise of companies you may already be familiar with. Some may continue to outright steal the Skunk2 Pro Series name, others may simply steal the design while rebadging it as their own. Either way, beware, as the clones, the knock-offs, and the copycats all share one thing in common: a lack of innovation and one poor design.
