Soo I was looking into changing out my intake plenum. I am currently running a Crawford Plenum. I love it, the problem is I can't run my strut tower bar with this set up. I would replace it with a Kenitx V+ Plenum. One would think they would perform about the same, right?
The question is should I keep what I am running, or swap to the Kenitix V+?
I could have a strut bar fabricated to work but I don't wanna spend $500 for that. just saying lol.
what would you lol just curious....
thanks for the advice in advance.

 

If I was on a budget, I would do a poor man's copy of the Motordyne MREV2 lower plenum. Meaning port the stock lower intake plenum and add a spacer kit. If you have a Rev-up DE this yields big gains. If you have a standard DE, return to the stock plenum and go with a simple spacer kit. The Kinetix V+ upper Plenum seems reasonable in todays market. I can't use it in CA sadly...not "C.A.R.B." legal (I don't think the Motordyne kits are either, but they fly under the radar). The Kinetix SSV plenum is crazy expensive, but claims to give the best gains.

Note: A good spacer kit should also include spacers/washers for the tower bar. If you go with either Kinetix options, no spacer needed. A tune will be required for maximum gains.
Cheers!
-Icer

 

Ahhh interesting. I am running a standard DE. A buddy told me don't worry about tuning just drive the car and enjoy it. I do like the fact that the V+ can be used with the strut bar. anything else you need spacers and all that, in some cases a new hood lol . see see more expensive lol

 

Yes, the V+ certainly seems like the best overall option given your situation. Hell, I would probably run with it, if it was legal in CA. But it would set off alarm bells whenever I had to get my state smog inspection. I like that it's a single composite piece that helps control heat soak and eliminates the 6 center clamshell bolts & posts, thus improving airflow to the runners in the lower plenum (especially for the front cylinders). It's also a huge bonus that you don't need to make any modifications to the factory tower bar. I assume the Z-height has already been adjusted in the mold, meaning the V+ increases total interior volume already, hence no need for a spacer...because that's already been incorporated in the design.

The SSV manifold is very popular, but also very expensive. It's also super flashy (looks out of place in the engine bay IMO) and not 50 state legal. The biggest gains appear to be at the top end of the RPM range, which unless you're tracking your car, you won't be using very often. For me, having an Uprev-DE, the MREV2 lower plenum yielded the biggest gains. It's literally an OEM part that was ported by Motordyne, so it passes the visual inspection. Before and after tuning showed about 15hp and 35ft/lb of torque gains at the mid-range (powerband) from this one bolt-on. Adding the spacer only gave minor gains at the very top end of the RPM range (+2-3hp). In my case, peak torque and hp drops off after 6400RPM, so there's not much point running up to redline (7k RPM) unless I was circuit racing or doing autocross events.

At the end of the day, you do you! I'm not sure what laws/regs you have to deal with in Georgia, but I'm guessing they are pretty relaxed about emissions related modifications compared to CA.

Cheers!
-Icer

 

The SSV is dead, the current iteration is the Velocity. It is better in every way when compared to the combos you proposed. Catch is cost, bling and not CARB friendly.

 

You either pay for the bar or pay for the parts lol.
Personally, I'd ditch all ideas and go with the Velocity, only one worth running if you aren't in California.
In your situation, leave it alone, or go Velocity, $500 is too close to the price of the Velocity.

 

yeah no California FOR ME!! I like my cars lol. that the most logical answer lol wither way I am gonna come out the same..

 

yeah no need for spacers for anything like that .. no tracking that I can think of. maybe a good spirited run through the countryside for me. but no tracking. I just feel like without the strut bar I am missing some sort of handling characteristics. don't get me wrong I do like the intake I have, I just don't like the fact it doesn't work with the strut bar. I also hate the fact I am 20 years too late to the Z game. all the glorious tips and tricks have all been done. I have missed out! Nothing really new going on besides the kids turning the 350Z into the modern day 240SX.