I got my V4 plenum installed this morning. I was a little impatient, so I went ahead and reinstalled the strut bar and my CF engine cover prior to driving the car. There are several things I would like to find opinions on:

1. When I first started the car, I noticed a rougher idle. Has anyone else noticed this and is it normal?

2. Also, I noticed that when I come to a stop with the brakes slightly depressed, I hear a creaking sound from under the hood. This only occurs when i am coming to a stop. It doesnt do it when I rev the engine while in park. Also, has anyone else noticed this? I was thinking that maybe I didnt completely tighten down the strut bar and that is possibly what is causing the creaking sound.

3. Should I try removing the strut bar and drive a little to see if it persists?

4. One last thing, how do I ensure that there is no air leaks around either of the gaskets. I want to say I read that someone sprayed carb cleaner around the gasket. If there is a leak, wouldnt the engine rev up when i spray?

I read on a thread yesterday about the 6 screws that install to the bottom plenum and how hard they were to remove after the locktite had set up, so I used hex head screws instead. Sorry for the ton of questions. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Zach

 

Also, here is a pic of my plenum and engine cover installed. Its not the best quality.

 

definitly go over it with liquid, if it sucks it in, then you have a leak somewhere. gasket or otherwise. thats a good chance as the cause of the rough idle.

 

I would agree you might have an air leak. Double check all the hoses. Did you disconnect the battery for several hours allowing the ECU to reset before the install? I installed the v4 yesterday (had a v2 and v3). This seems a lot stronger with no loss in performance over earlier versions. One up side to this version is that it is a lot quieter than earlier models.

 

Double check the torque settings on all your bolts, including those on the throttle body. Rough idle is common if you have a vacuum leak. Did you damage the gasket during the install? If you bend it, it's not advisable to reuse it.

First, though, try to reset your ECU. Sometimes that smooths out the idle.

 

This afternoon I drove my car and the idle was about normal. Just to be sure, I bought some carb cleaner and sprayed around my throttle body and the parts of the plenum gasket that i could get to and no change in idle. I also removed my CF engine cover and put the OEM one back on and tightened the bolts down for the strut bar and now I have no more creaking noise. So I am back to normal. Thanks for the input guys.

 

So, how do u rate it so far?

 

It seems to be a great mod so far. I just added an exhaust to me car Friday, so I cant tell which one is providing the bigggest gains.

 

be sure to use only the Blue colored loctite.
it tightens.. but provides the ability to let the bolts be removed.

Red loctite is used for pernament fastening..

Just thought you ought to know..

I read that thread about the one person usning Red loctite..
and couldn't get the screws out..

 

I used the red loctite, but I didnt use the allen head screws that were included with the plenum. I bought some hex head screws and used them instead. I hope I will not have to be removing this plenum. So far, I have read good things about the V4 plenum. Hopefully thats the way it will stay.

Zach

 

did you guys use online instructions or the ones included in the packet? i don't think you were even suppose to use locktite for the 6 bolts inside.

 

I installed my V4 Plenum on Saturday and noticed the creaking noise while braking too. I couldn't get my engine cover to fit either. This thing is LOUD. Driving at highway speeds, it produces a drone. Hope I can get used to it.

 

I fixed the creaking sound by just retightening the strut bar and the engine cover and it went away.

 

the creaking sound was the strut-bar rubbing the plenum....I had the same issue... but i just took the strut bar off....I have not reinstalled but lets just say handeling is not that great at 100mph+.... LOL...

 

I've been getting the creaking sound too... some days its worse than others... I have a V3. I've been wondering about this and I'm surprised no one has really mentioned this before... I thought up till now that maybe it was my strut bar not torqued down enough...

 

I installed my V4 on Saturday and it seems to be MUCH stronger than the previous versions. Feels REALLY stong while driving. The sound it makes is considerably quieter than the previous ones and the center no longer flexes. However, it now flexes directly where the KINETIX logo is on the Plenum. Here's the weird thing... it flexes outward!! I don't see how, since the engine is sucking in, but that's what happens.

I have the strut bar and engine cover both on and there is no creaking sound at all

-Chris

 

I istalled mine too and no idel problems or noises. Power gain is noticable as well. Im exited about this mod. Had the V3 and this one should last.

 

THAT is the popping noise when i brake?! hmmm..i'll look into it after work

 

Yes, the popping/creaking noise only occurred when I was braking, almost stopped. I just tightened the strut bar down as tight as I could get it and the noise went away. I also removed my CF engine cover and put the OEM one back on.

Zach

 

I understand what you mean, I always drive with music so I don't hear it. So driving home from work today I turned it off. Mine makes the noise as well whenever I break and when I accelerate from a stop! I might try tightening the strut bar...but I already torqued it to factory specs.

Did you just tighten the strut bar so that the plenum had no clearance and can no longer move upwards and thus no longer "pops" ?