I am personally creating this post to get back in touch with the 350z enthusiasts.

The post is regarding our plenum mainly, but also our company.

I ask that this be a post for ALL members to chime in on. regardless if they have ever even seen a plenum.

I even ask for those who feel they want to express NEGATIVE comments, bash, even jokes to chime in.

Ask any questions you would like, whether about the design of the plenum, or even our exhaust parts. Even ask questions regarding our communication or "lack of customer service"

I am trying to open the lines of communication for everyone to discuss the plenum. Even if you are "pro crawford" your post and opinion matter to us.

So if you have praise, compliments, questions, or just comments, post them HERE. Suggestions are always welcome. Feedback about the install, the performance, etc is also always welcome.

I apologize for being on the forum like I used to, but this is a thread I will be following and responding to often. I wont ignore hard questions or hard comments.

 

I am going to post my FULL experience with Kinetix so the public can decide for themselves.

Back before v1 was released, I sent Kinetix a JIC strut bar to test fit with the plenum. In return, they gave me a $150 discount when I purchased the plenum/cats combo. Got the parts and was happy.

A friend and I installed v1. Although I told him about 10 times not to, he was stupid and overtorqued two bolts, resulting in cracks around two of the front flange bolts. PMd kinetix and they sent me out a new plenum very quickly (it was a v2 at that time).

It was a while before I got around to installing my Kinetix cats. When I did, I noticed the bolt holes for the brace didn't line up perfectly. Rather than pull on them so they would line up, I decided to have them spot-welded to the bracket for support. I love the cats to this day; they perform great, slightly increase and slightly deepen the exhaust note.

About 4 weeks ago I noticed some cracks forming on my v2. I PMd requesting a replacement and was assured one would be sent out asap. I'm sure almost everyone here knows what happened next.

Anyway, Kinetix DID ship me out a v4; got it today. They have also offered, at my request, to give me a $150 store credit for the towing bill. They also credited me $50 for good faith. I am genuinely impressed by Kinetix's handling of customers, even through all the problems. A lesser company would have taken their profits and ran. Thanks Kinetix for your continuing support and I look forward to seeing your y-pipe and new aluminum manifold.

 

Do you have definite release date on Aluminum plenum?

 

i like my plenum. install was straight foward.. except i cut myself and burnt myself, holes lined up, and looks good under the hood. only downside is it's loud as hell, but it's not that bad thing. def. gives those civic drivers something to turn their head too when i'm revving at the light.

i'm generally satisfied with the plenum. i just hope it doesn't malfunction resulting in any serious problems.

 

no, we dont have a definite release date, but it is the number one priority right now, as soon as our replacements, and order total equal zero.

I really mean it when I say it is our top priority.

The new V4 plenum also has a couple changes probably not mentioned before.

It is quieter, not as loud at idle, or while driving.

The color is more of a true BLACK so it is quite a bit darker. The different plastic we used while being stronger, also accepts color pigments better. The V3 plenums and prior had almost a dark grey color when compared to the engine cover.

 

sorry about the cuts and burns!!!

 

I'd like it if you guys answered the phones more often. I've probably called at least 20 times throught the past months without answer.

Also I'm wondering about the flex issue right now. I get a pop noise whenever I'm accelerating from a very very very low speed and whenever I brake to a very very low speed. I'm thinking it MIGHT be the engine cover popping as it goes up and done....but then again it might be the plenum banging against the strut bar. I'm just wondering what are your insights on this matter and the severity of the situation.

Thanks

 

Love your resonated test pipes...went on without a hitch. As far as I can tell, you are the only company that sells resonated pipes. Bravo on that one.

I went Crawford with the plenum, only because I heard of some of cracking issues. That was back around V1-2...I like your products and hope you get everything sorted out so you can focus on new stuff!

 

I bought the Crawford plenum at about the same time that you were releasing your first version. That decision was based purely on the fact that I wanted an aluminum plenum because of my pending SC install. In the months since then, I have seen ALOT of posts about cracking and ultimately the wren57 blowout. If I were just starting to consider a plenum at this point I would never consider your offering despite the fact that you seem to stand behind your products 110%. Something gives me the feeling that there was a rush to market at some level on this. If I am wrong, I apologize since you seem to be a very proactive company and I wouldn't was to do anything to tarnish that image. I just feel that this plenum needed about 6+ months of testing on several different cars before it went to market.

 

So far I am very pleased with the V4 KINETIX plenum. I installed it on Satruday and it was a little easier to install without the center support screws. The integrated center support appears to be very strong and after seeing the plenum in action, I can tell you first hand that the plenum no longer moves in that area. It is rock solid in that area now. Another couple of very positive notes (which lsdunique stated) are the more quiet sound and the color. It is black as black can be! VERY nice looking under the hood as opposed to the previous dark grey (almost purple) versions.

However

The plenum now moves outward directly under the KINETIX logo. As I stated in a few other threads I don't understand how the plenum can move outward with the engine sucking the air in, but it does. Time will tell if this one is the the plenum or just another stone on the path to perfection.

-Chris

 

I think you are correct, in hindsight we definately would have had multiple cars tesing the product, and even in different climates.

In all honesty we got caught up in the growing demand for the product before we released it and released it too early.

Some have commented that we used the my350z.com members as guinea pigs for testing. This could not be further from the truth. These comments are implicating that we intended to use our customers for testing purposes. These problems have been INCREDIBLY hard on our company and our morale, not to mention very EXPENSIVE on us.

I think your problem with the sound comes from the strut bar possibly making contact with the plenum, try removing the bar to take a test drive around and see if the sound goes away.

I believe tensioning the bar will pull it away from the plenum. You may try that.

We are definately working on the phone problem. We think we will get better at it now that we are almost caught up, and are spending less time strictly in the shop. The reason I always post my personaly email address, and even on the website is because I can access it at all times. So you must believe me when I say that it is never our intentions to "dodge" communication, otherwise I wouldnt be posting my personal email address and answering it even in the middle of the night sometimes. I have had a couple customers email me past midnight, and were surprised to see a response within an hour as opposed to the next day.

As a small company, email was simply an easier way to communicate, but I also understand it is not everyones preferred method, and we are trying to improve.

 

i think you guys are doing a great job, i will continue to purchase kinetix products!, oh and when will i get my V4?

order number 1265

 

Enthuziastdrive, as I have stated before, I had the same popping sound at the same times as you. I removed my engine cover and my strut bar and drove the car and no longer had the popping sound. SO I removed my CF engine cover, which was considerably harder in construction, and put my OEM one back on and tightened the bolts to the strut bar as tight as I could possibly get them. The sound is no longer present. I think your problem is with the strut bar not being torqued down enough. Just my $.02.

Oh yeah. I AM HOSTING A GB FOR THE HIGH FLOW CATS OR RESONATED TEST PIPES. CHECK OUT THE PRIVATE GB FORUM FOR DETAILS. I just wanted to add my marketing $.02 as well.

Zach

 

I have your test pipes-they are great. I pre-ordered a plenum and received a V3-I love it. The V3 has developed a small crack and my V4 will arrive this Friday. I only wish that the majority of businesses, small and large, conducted themselves in this manner. This level of quality and customer service is rapidly disappearing, I own a business and I know, typically everyone wants to look for an angle or a way to get into your pocket.

 

Props to Kinetix. Even with the existing problems they always make good. And for all the bashers out there, buy a Crawford if you don't want the problems, Kinetix is a developmental company and I personally don't mind if there are problems, (it gives me something to mess with on the car, I love working on the Z) I will go out on a limb here and be willing to bet they will get it perfect, be it a plastic plenum or an aluminum plenum, I will stick by them and have faith in them. So like I said, MAD PROPS to you KINETIX! keep up the hard work and A1 customer service, and fellow members, these guys deserve some praise for busting their asses off trying to make things right.

OH JAMISON! when are you shipping my high flow cats??????????? ORDER # 1319

 

I'm glad to see this thread and I think it's a great idea.

Just curious if you've done anything with those 'hacky sack' playing employees of yours while you're not around???

All jokes aside, the v4 plenum is my very 1st product and experience with Kinetix. So far so good. I think it may be a good idea if the 'hex' replacement bolts for inside the plenum be replaced with standard hex-nut type. Chris managed to strip his trying to remove them and it sounded ugly. 'Red' lock-tite might be a little over kill as well ... typically 'blue' is used. Not everyone thinks 'a small drop' means ... well ... 'a small drop'.

my .02

 

"Even if you are "pro crawford" your post and opinion matter to us."

What is that supposed to mean? Yes, I'm pro Crawford, Pro JWT, Pro K&N, even Pro life. However, I'm not Pro Kinetix. This is your idea of Damage Control, and about time, I might add. Maybe it works for other members of the forum, but NOT for me!!!!!!!

You've just made too many errors and shipped too much bad product (both plenums and cats) to be considered as a potential vendor for me.

Lou

 

I'm curious about the plastic you are using for the plenum. It is obvious that the original design was too brittle. There are plastics that are much more resistant to cracking, almost unbreakable that you can use. Polycarbonate (GE lexan) used for bullet proof glass is one of them. What plastic are you currently using?
Jeff

 

I really dont understand who buys your plenum after all the problems people are posting here...I wouldnt want Kinetix plenum for free ...I wouldnt install it on my car even if YOU paid me to do it...
your company should be kissing those peoples feet...

 

I have posted before, but thought I would repeat. I think I have plenum V2 and have had NO problems. I run this on track. The plenum is great, but it's the other products I really like! The cats are excellent and really add to the Borla. The front A-arms are a godsend and a fantastic buy. This goes for the rear adjustment arms as well. No one else has brought these parts to market with the quality and price that Kinetix has. Please keep-up the great work and hang in there.

I will be back on track this weekend with all these parts - Rock on.