Aluminum Intake Distributor Advantages?

[ldrhoades]

Odd question perhaps, but I'm wondering what the advantages are of the aluminum intake distributors used on the x51 power kit cars (and GT3s) vs the normal plastic parts on the production engines.  Anyone know or have a hypothesis?  Thanks!

[Loren]

Of course the GT3 is a completely different engine.

 

My guess is weight, strength, heat transfer, and cost. The aluminum intake on the X51 package is about four times the cost of the stock.

[ldrhoades]

I was thinking the same thing, but I've never heard of the plastic pieces breaking. I'm guessing there must be some performance advantage. I've heard the plastic can flex quite a bit, perhaps that is part of the puzzle. On the weight side, I suspect the plastic is actually lighter.