Skunk2 Pro Series Mitsubishi Evo VII/VIII/IX Intake Manifold (Race Only) SKU: SKK307-06-0500

Below is a detailed breakdown / critical appraisal of the claimed and plausible advantages of the Skunk2 Pro Series Mitsubishi Evo VII/VIII/IX Intake Manifold (Race Only) — SKU SKK307-06-0500. 

Some claims are manufacturer-driven and should be scrutinized.

Key design claims & advantages

From product descriptions and vendor literature, here are the main features and advantages claimed for this Skunk2 manifold:

Feature / Design Element	Claimed Advantage	Comments / Scrutiny
Larger bore / OEM-length runners + tapered design	Improved airflow (especially at higher RPM) while retaining midrange power	This design philosophy aims to avoid the classic tradeoff of big plenum, short runners which often loses midrange torque. The OEM-length runners help preserve midrange response.
Larger, tapered plenum	Better air charge acceleration and increased volumetric efficiency at high rpm	The plenum acts as a buffer; a well-designed plenum can help reduce pulsation losses and improve high rpm breathing. The tapered shape presumably helps guide flow more smoothly.
Thicker casting / more material for porting	More margin for aggressive porting, structural rigidity	The thicker walls allow safe material removal during porting or matching to head ports without risking structural weakness.
Matched runner exits, hand-finished machining	Reduced flow losses, smoother transitions, better sealing	Matching the manifold ports to the cylinder head reduces turbulence and losses. Hand finish helps reduce sharp edges or mismatch areas.
Wave scavenging / tuning effects	Increased usable power across a broader RPM band (especially in the engine optimal range)	By properly sizing runner lengths, diameters, and plenum volume, one can harness pressure wave effects (intake pulses) to help cylinder filling at chosen RPM ranges.
Bolt-on design (reuse of stock throttle body location / piping)	Simplifies installation; avoids major plumbing changes	Because it retains the factory throttle body location and port positions for many accessories, it lowers the barrier to installation.
Additional vacuum / boost accessory ports (1/8 NPT)	Flexibility for boost controllers, gauges, and vacuum devices	This gives users extra ports for plumbing without needing to tap or adapt elsewhere.
Performance gains claims (e.g. ~33+ whp with matching parts)	Significant top-end gains while retaining usable midrange	Skunk2 themselves promote peak gains as high as 33+ whp when paired with Pro Series Throttle Body.
Manufactured quality: shell molding, 356 aluminum, vacuum tested	Strong, reliable construction; leak resistance	The quality of castings and internal finish helps longevity, consistency, and performance.

Realistic benefits & caveats

While the design is promising, here is what to realistically expect (and what to be cautious of) when using this for a Mitsubishi Evo VII/VIII/IX:

Benefits you may see

1. Improved high-RPM breathing
   The larger bore, optimized plenum, and tuned runner geometry may allow higher airflow at elevated RPMs, enabling more power near the top end.
2. Broader usable powerband
   Because they deliberately retained runner length and tapered geometry, the midrange shouldn’t suffer excessively (compared to extreme “race” manifolds). Many users report decent response down low.  
3. Better gains when combined with supporting mods
   The manifold’s advantage is likely maximized when paired with a matching throttle body, porting, cam / turbo / head flow capacity — it won’t magically double performance by itself.
4. Tuning flexibility / future modifications
   Thick casting + extra ports + ability to match to bigger throttle bodies or do modifications gives headroom for further upgrades.
5. Improved component aesthetics / quality
   Better finish, stronger materials, and designed for performance builds, which may outlast stock components under demanding use.

Key caveats and potential drawbacks

• “Race Only” designation
  The SKU is labeled “Race Only,” meaning it may not be legal for street use in many jurisdictions (emissions / certification). Performance gains may come at the cost of compliance or durability in street conditions.
• Not a silver bullet — limited by upstream/downstream constraints
  The intake manifold is only one link in the airflow chain. Gains will depend on how well the head, turbo, intercooler, intake piping, and tuning all match.
• Possible loss of low-end torque if improperly matched / tuned
  If the manifold is too large or optimized for very high rpm, a mismatch could soften response or torque in the lower band.
• Greater need for careful tuning
  To fully exploit the gains, tuning is crucial. Improper fueling, timing, or boost control can negate advantages or even worsen drivability.
• Weight, heat soak, and latent thermal effects
  Even though cast aluminum is good, larger castings heat up and retain heat differently, which could influence intake temps under high load.
• Cost vs. marginal returns
  Depending on how restrictive the stock manifold is, the jump in power might not justify the expense unless the rest of the system is also upgraded.

Conclusion

The Skunk2 Pro Series Intake Manifold (SKK307-06-0500) is a high-quality aftermarket manifold with thoughtful design features aimed at improving performance, especially at higher RPMs, while trying to preserve midrange behavior. 

Its thicker casting, well-finished port matching, flexible upgradeability, and extra ports for accessories make it a strong option for serious builds.

That said, the real-world benefits will heavily depend on how the rest of your engine and induction system is spec’d and tuned. 

If you have supporting mods (higher capacity turbo, strong head flow, tuned ECU), this manifold can be a compelling upgrade. For a more mild or stock setup, gains may be modest.

Skunk2 Pro Series Mitsubishi Evo VII/VIII/IX Intake Manifold (Race Only) SKU: SKK307-06-0500