Computer-aided design mockups are sent to Ford's rapid prototype lab where they are analyzed and input into one of many 3D printers. Roughly one week later, a finished product is ready to be cleaned, painted and used.

"Toward the end of the 2014 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship season, we began to design a number of revisions for our intake manifold," explained Martinez.

"In order to rapidly prototype and prove them out, we 3D-printed several intakes and tested them on our dyno and verified performance on the track. The iterations we created based on the 2014 intake manifold accelerated the development on our 2015 manifold - which is both lighter and brings improved airflow."

Take it to the track

Leading up to the 2015 24 Hours of Daytona, Ford Performance engineers opted for a 3D-printed intake manifold for the Chip Ganassi Racing Daytona Prototype car.

Employing the most advanced intake yet printed, in combination with carbon fiber intake plenums developed by Multimatic, a strong, reliable and lightweight intake manifold was created for the No. 02 Target Ford EcoBoost-Riley.

"The prototype manifold exceeded our expectations in testing, so in the essence of time we decided to use it for the race," said Martinez. "We modified our intake with carbon fiber components, painted it, and then it was ready to go to the track."

Bringing home the hardware

Chip Ganassi Racing, led by drivers Scott Dixon, Kyle Larson, Jamie McMurray and Tony Kanaan, won the Daytona classic - holding off stiff competition in the last hour of the race.

"It was a great day for Ford and a great day for Ganassi," said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. "We had a great car and great drivers. And, of course, we had really great power, reliability and fuel economy out of the EcoBoost engine. This is a great testament to the entire team. I couldn't be prouder of them."

Now, Ford aims to repeat this performance at the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship race at the Belle Isle Grand Prix on May 30.

End