I was thinking the same thing when I installed my plenum. I just thought that they had reinforced that area, but I guess not. I was concerned with the uneveness of the bolt head surface to the surface of the plenum not applying even pressure. I believe that is why mine is cracked also. I just don't want to have to remove the damn thing, install stock, then re-install new I love working on my car actually.....every time I do something like this under the hood, I get some crazy idea and try tinkering with things.....a bit too much shometimes.

 

what about instead of using 2 post, we use all 6 posts like the factory style? that way, it will minimize flexing since it's evenly tighten down on 6 points. This is just an idea maybe Kinetix can use in the future...

is there reason that it would not work?

 

air restriction!

 

well thats fine and dandy... but all the flow in the world doesnt help if more fail than not.

gotta find a happy medium with it.

 

He replied back to my email and actually the new plenum does have the center bolt changed to a bolt and washer (great minds think alike) and he has also stated more material in this area along with some fiberglass to help strength. I'm going to give it another shot. The bolt along should yeild some good results.

By the way even though it cracked he has been very responsive in trying to get things fixed in his design to sell a good product and that has to be worth something.
Thanks Mike

 

Boy I'm glad I read this post since I've had my Kinetix plenum only since about March. Went into my garage and popped the hood to look at the plenum. No cracks visible. I decided th start it up and sure enough there was a big crack from the center bolt area. I just spent the last 30-40 minutes removing the Kinetix. Thought about reinstalling the stock plenum but since the Z isn't my daily driver, I decided to just leave it apart until I can get the replacement.

Now I'm off to send an email to Kinetix about getting a replacement...

 

make sure you cover up your engine bay with a towel or something, you don't want something falling inside the engine while it is open to the elements.

 

Thanks for the tip!