those egr tubes are pretty tough to bend arent they? If memory serves me it looks like half inch pipe copper tubing right?

 

It's main purpose is to help the air around the bend, and then help out heat reduction. What isn't optimal about that? If it was marketed a soley benefits from heat reduction, I agree there are better places to put it. But anything to help the air get around that bend is good.

[edit]Thinking back, dumb idea.[/edit]


I made a 1/2" aluminum spacer for my truck, haven't installed it yet. If I felt like buying this phenolic one I would do a dyno comparison. But honestly, I really don't think there would be that much of a difference.

 

Somebody has to "splain" to me what the phenolic spacer under the blower would do for the truck. First of all...if you do the spacer above the blower ( wich I have found to be very benificial) then how would you have room for a lower one also. (Hood clearance ??)

The blower is a belt driven heater....it blows hot air at the intercooler. So putting an insulating gasket between the blower and the lower manifold would do what ?? Is it going to keep heat from migrating into the lower manifold or do I have this in reverse. Help me out here. (I would rather see a copper gasket between the IC and mid plate but thats just me)

As far as phenolic for an upper manifold heat insultor, that is also pissin in the wind (IMHO) That upper manifold runs at almost the same temurature as the hot air that is constantly blowing on it from the engine fan. I would rather have the strength of aluminum in this area. Unless you have a cammed lightning, these engines pull a lot of vacuum, I would hate to see a phenolic spacer cave in after you snapped the throttle shut. Just a thought.
Dale

 

Here is a picture of he spacer in action...

It should help some of you understand where it goes.

 

doug... what is the "2...3...4" written on the intake for?

 

Not sure - I think it is a part they used for R&D of some kind - Its not my truck.. It was Paul Gaminos truck from the Atlanta FFW race. A few more pictures here
http://www.talonclub.com/4images/cat..._id=55&page=15

 

Excuse to get a cowl hood (Ooops, I already have a hood sitting in the living room)

I would think that it would help prevent heat transfer to the lower plenum/intercooler, but lacking in the science area I can't say for fact if that would happen.

As for say a phenolic spacer between the heads and lower plenum, on the VW 1.8t engines they have a phenolic spacer that goes between the head and the intake plenum. Over on the boards somewhere is some proven data of power increases from this, and reports of the intake being cooler to the touch, and these are with turbo's running over 15psi with semi-efficient intercoolers (well the modded ones running over 15psi). Thinking about it may not do our trucks much good since the blower is sitting up there, where-as the 1.8t engine the turbo is on the opposite side of the intake.

 

Hey Jim

When we come down on friday for some dyno/tuning time, why don't I put one of these on.

How bout this, we run my truck without the spacer, then we'll put one on and run and and get some numbers.

My truck is your run of the mill 2000 with all the bolt on's, running a 4# pulley.

This will give the majority of the lightning community something to go by and they can decide.

I have no built motor, no head work, and no cams, so this would be a good test. I'm willing to be the guinnea pig unless it's already been done.

 

This is definitely an interesting part.

It is my opinion that since JDM made the product and is trying to sell it to all of us they should be the ones that prove that it works with some real numbers. You can sit here all day long and talk theories of why it works, even if they make sense, I want to see 'real' proof w/ dyno and track numbers before I would consider the purchase.

 

The burden runs the other way. The consumer does not have to prove that a product doesn't work, the manufacturer has to prove that it does -- BEFORE it makes the claim. Check the FTC regulations.

So the plenum is cooler. So what? What does this get me? It's all about the HP, baby. I cannot see marketing any performance part without hard data to back it up. This is not a 3 AM infomercial.

And I know something else that can't be polished.

 

Long, but well said. I'm not one to stir the pot, but sometimes these threads get WAY out of hand. Jim NEVER made a HP claim, all he said is that it smooths out the transition to 'help' straighten the airflow, and keeps the upper intake plenum cooler during runs. Do you REALLY need any more information than that? He can charge whatever he wants, and those of us with pocketbooks to afford an L should realize that it's a small market (getting bigger with the introduction of the '03 Cobra and many of the same parts) so we should expect to pay a little more for smaller manufacture.

If you can make the part - go make it. Hell, if I was being bashed like Jim's products typically do, then I would probably have the very same reaction as he did. You can only take so much before you pop.

I know it wasn't an original idea, but he was the first to have the part made and tested for the L. Is there anyone else here that can say that?

Jim/JDM - Nice work on the part. I wish you success with your business and those who are loyal to your service.

Jeez...Sometimes I hate being the one who just watches these dramas unfold.

...my flame suit is on...

 

You can market a "performance" product without data - no problem. Just don't surprised if someone says it won't do *****. Actually, Jim should be the LAST person to be surprised by someone questioning a product.

 

I cleaned most of the offf topic bashing crap out of this and reopened it at 2 members request. Lets keep it on topic.

Doug

 

Jim or Justin,

On Doug's picture, is that the way the blower sits on the spacer? With that slight gap, or is it not tightened yet?

$89 bucks is do-able.

 

I've been wanting to do this for a long time! I really want to make my own, not just because I'm a cheap pr!ck (but I am) more so I can brush up on my machining abilities! Looks great guys!