I'm new to dielsels, but I went ahead and shot my intake mani in a SS paint I use. Question: wouldn't it be better to shoot this in a flat black for heat dissipation? ( I realize that I'm talking about a very minute effect)

I would think black would absorb heat... for dissipation, I would chrome or polish the thing.
John

Flat black is best for absorbing or dissipating heat, however the paint is not a good conductor, so it might actually insulate regardless of color.

good point.
now the point is what heat source to you want to block?
compressed air from the turbo heat? or ambient heat from the engine bay? how about the radiant heat from the exhaust manifold 1 inch below the intake at best? then there is the conductive heat from the exaust manifold/head itself that is in direct contact with the intake manifold... on a 616/617...
what to do, what to do...
John

This is a non turbo 95, with cold air intake. Its the ambient heat from the engine I was thinking of.

The "preffered" method is to shoot a very light coat of black paint on the part to enhance its dissipation. And again, its a very,. very small effect, not dyno measurable.

I'm going to leave the stainless steel paint on there. It looks nice! Just like fresh alum casting, but wont ever oxidize and cleans up better. ( restorers trick)