Intake Manifold Components

What Does an Intake Manifold Spacer Do?

An intake manifold spacer changes how your intake sits on the engine, and the material decides the job. Phenolic spacers reduce heat transfer from the engine to the intake charge. Aluminum spacers raise intake height or correct deck height when your block and intake don't match.

That makes a spacer a problem-solving part. You'd reach for phenolic when heat soak is the concern. You'd reach for aluminum when fitment or intake height is the issue.

Placement varies by part, so check each listing to see where your spacer mounts. Either way, you're changing your intake stack, so fitment checks matter.

If you're still picking the manifold itself, start with our intake manifolds and add the spacer once the intake is set.

Want more background before you buy? Our fuel, carburetor and intake tech articles cover intake and carburetor topics in more depth.

Which Phenolic and Billet Spacers Fit Your Engine?

The right spacer depends on your engine family, head port style and intake model. Here's what this category carries:

• Phenolic heat spacers for 1986-1993 5.0L Ford EFI OEM intakes, 1/2 in. thick
• Phenolic intake spacer kits for Ford Mustang 5.0L GT-40 and Cobra intakes, 3/8 in. thick
• Billet-aluminum spacers for GM LS rectangle-port heads, part number 335-551960
• Billet-aluminum spacers for GM LS cathedral-port heads, 1/2 in. thick with riser plates, seals and bolts
• Billet-aluminum intake lid spacer kit for GM LS Hi-Ram intakes, 1 in. thick, part number 335-551126-1

The LS spacers come from ICT Billet and are made for specific head port styles. Confirm whether your heads are cathedral-port or rectangle-port before you order. Kit contents vary, so check each listing for included seals and bolts.

Planning a swap? Our LS swap kits guide helps you map out the rest of the build.

How Do Tall-Deck Intake Spacer Plates Work?

Tall-deck intake spacer plates let you run a short-deck intake on a tall-deck block. Moroso spacer plates for Big Block Chevy adapt short-deck intakes to 10.200 in. (+.400 in.) tall-deck blocks. They mount between the cylinder heads and the intake.

A taller deck spreads the heads farther apart, so a standard intake won't line up with the ports or bolt holes. The plates close that gap. That means you can keep a short-deck intake you already own instead of hunting for a different manifold.

Each set includes 4 precision-machined aluminum plates in oval-port or rectangular-port versions. Order the version that matches your heads, because the two port styles aren't interchangeable.

Before you order, confirm your block's deck height and your head port shape. Plan on intake gaskets for both sides of each plate, since every plate adds a sealing surface.

What Other Intake Manifold Components Are Available?

Beyond spacers, this category carries plug kits, replacement runners, brand-specific spacer kits and complete intake manifold kits. Here's a quick breakdown:

• Plug kit from Mopar Performance with 8 plugs, part number 312-P5249926
• Replacement runner from FAST for LSXR intakes, Number 8 position, part number 146052-1
• Spacer kits from Edelbrock built for specific Edelbrock intakes
• Complete intake manifold kits for builders who want one package

A replacement intake runner lets you fix one damaged runner without buying a whole manifold. Match the runner position and intake model exactly before you check out. The Edelbrock spacer kits are intake-specific too, so match the kit to your exact manifold.

Replacement runners, plug kits and brand-specific spacers are model-specific parts. Keep your intake's part number handy while you shop. If you'd rather start fresh, a complete intake manifold kit keeps your order simple.

How Do I Choose the Right Intake Manifold Accessories?

Start with your engine, heads and intake, then pick accessories that solve a specific problem. Heat control points you to phenolic, while deck height or fitment points you to aluminum.

Write down your engine family, head port style and intake part number. Those three details narrow your options fast.

Next, plan the supporting parts. Spacers add sealing surfaces, so check our gaskets and seals for intake gaskets that match. If the intake's coming off anyway, it's a good time to look at lifter valley plates too.

Running a carbureted setup? A spacer changes your induction package, so read our guide on how to choose a carburetor to keep the top end matched.

Check linkage and air cleaner fit too, since added height moves the carburetor. Once your list is set, shop intake manifold components now and get back to building.