I am swapping my OEM plenum for a chrome one, any tips you can pass along would be appreciated.

Is the stock gasket re-usable?

Thanks,

AZ350Z

 

Don't overtighten the bolts and you can reuse the gasket

 

Thanks. I don't need a torque wrench do I?

 

it's real easy to snap a bolt so be careful..

I just tighten with one hand and when I feel it's sorta tight, I give it one more half turn.. I think the torque specs are ridiculously low..

--mike

 

yes, it is either 6 lbs or 7lbs of torque, you should use a calibrated torque wrench. Aluminum block... very easy to strip the holes out, and the torque isn't much at all

 

Thanks, I will get a torque wrench.

 

hrmm -- didn't have any problems with my crawford install, and i cranked the hell out of those

it's pretty straightforward -- just make sure not to unplug the throttlebody when you pop it off the old plenum (the throttle body bolts are a pain in the butt to get off, may want to have some wd-40 handy)

just make sure to keep accountability of your bolts and washers, as you really really don't want to drop one into your engine

 

Also, be careful with the gasket when removing the coolant hoses from the original plenum. The ones in back are a pita to get off, and might spray coolant if you're not careful. I accidentaly bent my stock gasket when struggling with the back hose, and then almost blinded myself with the spray when it DID come off. Damn sausagefingers.

 

And dont forget to clear the little rubber oil filler cap thingy...dont know the technical term for it. But on more than one occasion, it got stuck under the plenum after I trqed everything down...doah!

2nd notice for not overtightening those bolts, and especially the nuts. Grab a socket wrench by the center...and just turn until you cant turn anymore...that is about 10lbs of force. Use a star pattern to tighten them down....working your way around opposite sides until everything is tight.

 

I broke a bolt in half from overtightening then i had to get a screw extractor and it was a biatchh!! I also dropped a screw in the engine.. Also, dont forget to switch the cap thing from the front of the plenum over

 

Technicaly the tq setting should be 61 inch lbs. Yes, I said inch, my craftsman clickable torque wrench started at 10 ft lbs, I recomend you rent an inch lb wrench from your local Kragen, you will hardly need it for anything else.
There is also a specific order they should be losten (revers order) and tighend in (forward order, see picture).


Chris

 

Thanks to all, I will get on it tommorow & post pics.