After reading through this whole trend today, while Kinetix is the blame for most of this situation, we are still being a little hard on them. So far the plenums haven't shown good results long term, but this is hardly says anything about the rest of their products. Their new FI plenum, along with their other stuff, shouldn't just be thrown in this situation and said that they are all bad also. Different products, different designs, different results.

That said, it would be difficult for me to purchase the plastic kinetix plenum at this point. The best concept out there, hopefully they can get this right, although I don't if anyone will just leave it under the hood and never check it again.

 

You would think Kinetix would be a little more receptive to this situation since it is so publicized.

I understand that comparing Kinetix to Nissan or a Government agency is harsh, but when other people's lives are on the line, companies must be held to the strictest standards. And if Kinetix can't afford to do the proper design and testing, then they should not attempt to reap the profits of a faulty product. Just my opinion and not a knock on Kinetix by any means. They made it farther than I ever would have.

Side note: Wren, I received the Y-pipe today (a day early) and installed it. I really enjoy the slightly meaner exhaust note, and just as advertised it works perfectly. Thanks again.

Dan

 

Let's not forget, several folks have had fitment and cracking problems with their cats also. Thats why I wound up cancelling my order for them.

 

2003z, knew someone would say that, lol. They have had their share of problems, really love to see the results of their y-pipe and FI plenum. I know some have given up, lol, but that FI plenum is still one of the best looking mods I have ever seen for our car. It is the main reason why so many people paid attention to kinetix in the beginning. Hopefully they will produce that and not have any problems, cause I think it is real important for their company to make sure that product comes out right.

 

So get Top Secret on the phone and beg to buy thiers. That's where Kinetix got the idea for that one. Top Secret had that thing built and working over a year ago.

 

After reading through this thread, first I must say thank God your ok Wren and you didn't end up in some ditch in the middle of nowhere.

However a question(s) came to my mind with all the people getting on Kinetix for having 4 versions of said plenum, but I thought Crawford plenum had 5 versions of their own.

So I'm asking myself why did Crawford make so many different versions? Was it merely for cosmetic purposes or did some of those fail in some way. I'll do a search on the forum for why they have so many, but if someone could sum it up quickly that would be great.

For the people on this thread that back Crawford and hate Kinetix, should they really be blasting on Kinetix so much if Crawford has had some trouble in the past with their plenums. Are the Crawford folk just trying to sway future buyers, I mean whats the deal? I'm just trying to be fair about this, I know this is kinetix thread but people in previous posts have brought up Crawford numerous times. So I think one extra post about Crawford won't hurt.

 

Crawford's revisions were either to the manufacturing process to make the plenums less expensive or the the cosmetic look of the plenum to make them more appealing.

A version 1 will work as well as a version 5.

 

Thanks Danny, thats what I've been coming up so far with my search, like I said all I'm trying to do is be fair.

 

Crawford has had five versions of their plenum because:

1. Two of their versions were never sold, they were just experimental only.

2. The other changes were for cosmetic or sound control purposes only. There were never failures due to design.

To the best of my knowledge the history is:

V1 - This still left the 3 bumps in the back portion of the plenum. The rear portion of the plenum was stock, and had the front portion raised with a welded in insert. There were four internal mounting screws, the three in back, and one in front. This really was not, IMO, an attractive piece.

V2 - Same as V1, but the bumps in the back of the plenum were smoothed out. This one was also powder coated to try and hid some of the welding.

V3 - This was experimental I believe.

V4 - Also experimental, it had the new one piece top, with no central mounting screws, and had an unacceptable noise level. It was the test mule for the V5

V5 - The current version, has two central mounting screws, with welded in supports for those screws. The top is now one piece, with ribs, and a new welding process is used.

I had a V2, and traded up to a V5. I had absolutely no issues with my V2, I only traded for cosmetic purposes. There are still a lot of V2s out there (Victor is still using one). IMO, the V5 is really a piece of art as well as fine piece of speed equipment. I believe it is still the best bang for the buck available to us.

Lou

 

Thanks Lou for summing that up. Just wanted to make sure that Kinetix was getting treated unfairly when another has many versions as well, but as stated there didn't versions for cosmetic reasons (per se) and not failure of the system as a whole.

 

See... none of you have see the UGLIEST of all Crawford Plenums.

Prototype #002 still resides under my hood. It's the last remaining original as #001 and #003 were cut up to make newer versions.

... Guess what? It flows as good as ANY Version 5!!!!

 

I went with Crawford because I didn't want to deal with the similar problems that people have been stating in this thread. Who has time to take their plenum off and on 4 times? And I still don't miss my STOCK plenum...so I don't know why people fuss about that. I guess with kinetix it's a good thing you get to keep it.

I think Kinetix will have a great product...when they get it all figured out...if they ever do. Perhaps plastic just isn't the way to go on these cars...who knows.

I just got a set of their resonated test pipes on my car last night. LOVE THEM! (don't get these confused with their high flow cats)

But I wouldn't touch their plenum....

 

If I get a plenum it will be Crawford. I know some owners who are still running version 1. They have had no problems and they have never complained about Crawford customer service.

 

Well Crawford answers the phones. I had a general question about removing the plenum even before I bought a polished V5 from doug to get that independent dyno done.

He spent 20 minutes on the phone helping me with my stock plenum questions when I wasn't even a customer. I think that's good customer service. Replacing faulty parts under warranty is not customer service, it's required by law. And from what I have heard, it takes some time to get a replacement.

I don't want to make this a Kinetix vs. Crawford thing all over again, but Kinetix is getting treated fairly, all things considered, and I think it's a real black mark on their company that they don't keep an eye on this thread and keep wren apprised of the situation.

 

Anyone know what a stock plenum costs from the dealer or internet? I'm looking to Crawford and don't "think" I need to keep the stock one for the extra $200 core but never say never. If I keep this car 3-5 years, who cares if it has an aftermarket plenum and no engine cover when sold (currently G35 w/2K miles). If for some reason however I need to sell my toy car in a year, I would like the option of going back to stock but can't justify keeping the stock plenum just because of my indecision. Honestly, I can't recall putting any stock parts back on any of my last 4 cars ever.....even though I had the parts. (and still do)

 

I agree, I have talked to Doug a few times and the phones rings like 2 times and he's on it. I spoke to him and ordered his high flow cats today. I have also contacted him by e-mail about 6 times and I can count on getting a response within 24 hours every time. After reading about the problems with the RT's blowing out and the Kinetix cracking, I decided the best option were the Crawford's.
I also agree with the faulty parts statement. Replacing faulty parts is NOT great customer service. It's called covering your azz against a law suit.

 

*UPDATE*

Plenum v4 arrived today and will be shipped out today as I sold it to a man in Canada. HOWEVER, after over a week and several e-mails, Kinetix has YET to return a single e-mail or even address the issue of towing.
This wouldn't really bother me except for they hinted and implied to the public that they would "make good" for the towing fees, but in private they avoid the topic altogether. This shows me that they want people's business and will do anything to get it, but don't really mean what they say sometimes. Bothers me greatly and makes me question not only their plenum, but now their company as a whole. Anyway, I thought everyone deserved an update so there it is.

Crawford plenum is on order.

 

This company is a complete and total joke! The product simply DOES NOT WORK. Who cares if they will send you another defective product to replace the defective product that just broke on your ride. VI=defective; V2=defective; V3=defective. Gee, who's willing to bet that the V4 is going to be defective as well?

 

Wren, I am very suprised to see this post, as I received your email regarding a request on your part for credit towards future parts and I emailed back promptly stating I would love to give you credit and would even further accomodate you on price for being so understanding.

That was the last email I received from you, now I sent the response, but I guess it is possible that it was not received, did not go through, whatever. But that was still the last email I received from you, and that was last week.

I would have zero motive to not respond to your email.

I am sorry you did not receive the email.

 

I never recieved an email stating anything regarding credit. I sincerely and 100% withdraw my previous post, and apologize for making it. I do appreciate your response to this thread and also your promptness in mailing out my v4. I'll be sending an email soon.