I've been biting my tongue for the better part of a week, and I can't hold it in any longer. What does this sound like:

1. Product ships with no installation instructions, not even an on line link.

2. People have cracked the product because it can be tightened down to much.

3. More than one person has a vacuum leak.

4. All holes don't line up.

5. Some holes need to be reamed by the consumer.

Yet, with all these issues, no one complains, no one! A similar product, the one I own, has had none of these issues, yet it's been slammed by a good many of you. I just don't understand?

Lou

 

So you posted a thread bitching about a product you don't own?

 

Lou,

Just enjoy your plenum. We bought a good product from Crawford. If the Kinetix is not up to par, we will hear about it soon enough .

 

I ordered one and you are making me worry. Quit it

Actually, I am sure I will have to do a little "tuning" when I get it, but so be it. Now if it is outright broke, that is a whole other story.

 

I have one on order right now...

I am kind of worried about it myself. It doesn't seem to be a "straight" forward install. It looks like there are different kinds of "tweaks" to get the unit installed. Hopefully we get enough feedback from the members using the plenum. There are some members with no issues.

 

I own the Kinetix plenum and the Crawford V5. For me, both installed in the exact same way except that I tightened the bolts on the crawford a little tighter but not much. I have had zero issues with both plenums.

 

Well I understand your point a little, but if I remember correctly his site states that he'll stand behind his product. That has to mean something, especially when someone is trying to make a product thats new and affordable to help other Z owners. He post on the threads trying to help his customers and does not ignore them. I think it will be fine in the end. I feel there will be some problems at first with a new product once it gets massed produced, look at the original 03 Z and how they've corrected some off the problems. I feel this is why no one has complained, but thats my opinion.
Thanks Mike

 

How many iterations is the crawford up to? 5 now. Wait till the 5th gen of the Kinetix to cry.

 

I think the various generations of crawford were just cosmetic changes.

I dont own either, but I will say from photos(with the possible exception of coloring on the kinetix) both have a vissually pleasing part.

crawford also has theirs custom made each time, changing the design isnt a big deal. getting a new mold made... not so easy. though itd be my guess the solution is a different polymer material, something less brittle, but not softer. it can happen. bend but dont break, thats the key.

 

Will receive my Kinetex Plenum and Cats on Friday. Depending upon the time it arrives, will probably install on Friday. Cats Saturday or Sunday. Kinetix is prepared to stand behind their product. If I am unhappy or there is a defect, at least I have an OEM Plenum that can be reinstalled.

 

I prefer the raw look of my early crawford plenum, but I can also see the appeal of the kinetix. Fortunately, (not because I don't like it) the crawford will be coming off this weekend to make room for this:

 

what instructions need come with it? Old one off, new one on - pretty straightforward.

As for tightending, its plastic being attached to aluminum - no torque specs needed, just use a 3/8 wratchet and tighten down till its snug.

I really think the mellowdrama here gets to be a bit much sometimes. You have to realize you have 2 homegrown parts here...neither is being mass produced. Hell, how many mass produced parts come with isntructions that are either wrong, incomplete, missing, etc. In any event, as of today there are instructions online I am told on Kinetix site

Any competant shops can easily install either one of these pieces.....if it worries you in the least when you look at it, its probably worth the $50-$70 a shop will charge to put it on.

 

the only thing that worrys me on the Kinetix Plenum is how much I should tighten down the bolts.. I don't have torque wrench, and not planning to go out and buy one just for this installation.. Will it be easy to tight down the bolts without the torque wrench and not worry about it crack? dunno.. have to wait until next week to find out... other than that, I think just be careful when installing the new plenum, and double check all gaskets to prevent vacuum leak...

 

don't sweat it. Just put a dab of thread-loc compund on the bolts and tighten til its firm, but no more. Use a 1/4" ratchet with a short handle and it will be harder to over-torque it.

 

Didnt Max have trouble with his ol school Crawford? and who cares anyways...the plenum vs plenum story is old and lame now. Lets just enjoy are fast cars like were supposed to.

 

How can you own a car like this and have a bunch of mods and not own a simple torque wrench?

 

How about you let the people who actually own one and/or have seen one in person post their negative comments about it. As long as you have no personal stake in either one what does it matter to you?

Competition brings lower prices. Lower prices are good, so what's the problem. There's always problems with first generations of products. This is like every other product that's ever been put to market. It's just the way things go.

 

Im a huge Crawford fan.. They make a GREAT product and best of all they stand by it.. Lots of people have there products and had ZERO problems. I bought V4 Plenum and just replaced it with V5 Black. I also bought there cats which were also very high quality!! So dont worry as people say anything weather it intelligent or just an opinion.

Here's a pic of my engine bay. Ill take more pics and post this weekend!

 

man...your gonna take me for a ride in that beast at the meet right?

 

and here is a picture of mine......





ps-I LOVE this PLENUM!