[Formulajones]

Hasn't really been the case, many head builders are reporting how nice the offshore castings have been, even better in some instances than the small amount of stuff still cast in the states with less porosity and core shift issues. It's the build quality after that comes into question.

The problem with USA made stuff today has a lot to do with where the business in question is located, as many states have a clause that allows business to claim USA made on their products by simply applying a procedure to said product, even though the vast majority of it is done over seas. So it's not that cut and dry, and certainly made in USA does not mean what it used to.

The fact of the matter is that most everything you buy today is coming from a foreign country whether people want to acknowledge it or not. Just finishing the product might be done here in some shape or form.

In the case of aluminum intakes, much like cylinder heads, it's just cast over there. Sometimes the finish work is done there on some products, sometimes it's done here. Like AFR enforcer heads just as one example. USA made because AFR finishes the seats, valve job, guides etc....and since they are in California, well....... Excellent product, but they are cast in China. Allows them to sell that product line cheaper yet they perform just as well and have high end parts in them.
The ones you have to watch out for are the heads that are cast and assembled/finished in china. Parts and procedures are questionable. Castings seem to be decent.

It's how this hobby as well as others have become, and it's honestly the fault of the people being cheap that drove the market this way. Might as well get used to it, it's not going to change.