any ideas about coating an aluminum intake with iron or some kind of metal that will pass a magnet test and not scratch of easy enough to show the aluminum. It's all for a class that suggests not using aluminum.

Why not just follow the rules?

any ideas about coating an aluminum intake with iron or some kind of metal that will pass a magnet test and not scratch of easy enough to show the aluminum. It's all for a class that suggests not using aluminum.

Is "suggests" the key word? Or are the words actually "aluminum intake not allowed"? Sounds fishy to me.

Sounds like a class rule that, like all class rules some people try to "bend" them. I have never heard of a "rule" that "suggests" that kind of defeats the purpose of a rule.

In any case, I don't think there is any process that will aloow you to "coat" an aluminum manifold with iron. Your best bet would be to coat the manifold with some sort of high temp adhessive and cover the whole thing with metal dust (cast iron, or steel). Not very practical and would be a lot of work. Is there any reason you can't modify an iron intake to get the performance you want and stay within the rules? Is there a rule that says no welding or porting? If not you can probably get where you want to be with a little effort.

Yes the term "suggests" was a kind way of saying that "not allowed". If you have ever tried using the original factory intake from a Cdillac 500 motor you realize instantly you have two huge problems, sixty pounds of dead weight and the fact that the runners actually go downhill to the carburetor base not uphill. I'm just guessing but thats probably not great in the performance department.
I have already thought about the rules and to watch everyone else's intent to stretch them and me not seems pretty lazy if not lonely. I have been using this intake for five years without any notice and would like to continue.
I have found a company to handle whats needed and yes you can coat any metal based object with a iron based coating.
What I am a little miffed at was how late I found this out compared to others that are light years ahead of my bending of the rules. It"s tough trying to keep up sometimes.

If the rules dont say you must have a "factory original" cast iron intake, maybe you can adapt a manifold off another engine. I know some of the Studebaker racers section early Cadillac iron intakes or use 340 Mopar aluminum intakes with adapters. You might be able to do something along the same lines.

If that isn't where you want to be, look into "spray metalizing". It's used to build up crank throws when they are undersize. You might find someone out there that can spray a coating of steel on aluminum.