Questions regarding the PHP intake spacer

[racorcey]

Before posting this question, I did use the search facility and found some interesting info regarding this item, but the one thing that eluded me was finding someone that had done a clean before-and-after install and dyno test using the intake spacer.

Anyone know of or remember this info, if it exists?

Thanks!

[magindat]

Reinhart did and posted about it a while back, but it was on a S/C car. I was about to get rid of mine, but since his post showed a positive difference, I kept it.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=34838&page=4#41

[racorcey]

Roger that! I looked at that post. Nothing like a little power adder to spike things up a bit.

I hope someone can still come up with a good, "clean", before and after.

Most of my experience is with the LT1 and LS1 motors from GM. On the LT1, it was found that since the bottom of intake was acting as the valley pan too, it unnecessarily heated up the intake charge. One of the early exprimenters found that by epoxying the bottom surface of the intake facing the engine, it acted like some decent insulation, allowing some more hp/tq to develop. The LS series of motor totally removed that problem, and also by going to a full, plastic, intake manifold. There are more reasons than that for the LS motor series' increased power, but the intake was a major contributor. In addition, the LS motor series also went to the Ford v8 firing order - a more efficient means to produce more even power pulses and smooth out power-robbing vibrations.

Anyway, it seems from what I have read so far in the searched posts, that this intake mod for the 4v motor has something of an insulating quality for the top half of the intake manifold, hence maybe some power gain.

I saw some numbers bandied about, from a 7 to 15 hp increase, but it wasn't clear, and, at least I couldn't find any clean dyno comparisons.

- Randy

[ctrlraven]

From what I have gathered on here is that on a NA car with stock exhaust manifolds power gains are pretty low but once headers go on it helps increase the effectiveness of the intake spacer. More air in, more air out.

[VAmarauder03]

i dont have any exact numbers or experience with my car, i did however talk with the leading mustang performance shop in my area and he told me that they have seen increases on some cars and nothing on others, so who really knows without dynoing before and after, doubt if this helps much but i figured i would share.

[Zack]

Anyone ever comtemplated installing 3 gaskets instead of the spacer?
It would be a lot cheaper.

[Krytin]

Anyone ever comtemplated installing 3 gaskets instead of the spacer?
It would be a lot cheaper.
What are the gaskets made of?
The only reason I can think of that would make it a bad idea is the gaskets compressing/deforming and creating a vacuum leak. If they can take the squeeze by themselves - it should work!

[RF Overlord]

Oh Zack, you so funny... :D

Seriously, I don't think that type of gasket would seal properly against another gasket. It looks like they need a smooth, hard surface to seal effectively.

FWIW, I installed the PHP spacer on Phoebe and I did notice a small increase in mid-range "pull" and improved throttle response, but I only have the "butt dyno" to go on. This car has Dennis's Cobra exhaust and a stock airbox.

[magindat]

Anyone ever comtemplated installing 3 gaskets instead of the spacer?
It would be a lot cheaper.

I put forward that the intake spacer works due to air FLOW and not air TEMP.

The reason I say this is because the wise Jack Roush (not so much) decided to run hot radiator coolant through our upper intake to heat it up so as to prevent oil gunk clogs from the PCV system.

If you want the MOST from the PHP intake spacer, put on an air/oil separator and remove the coolant flow to the vacuum bung and now you have increased FLOW and decreased TEMP.

[Paul T. Casey]

The overall gain was minimal, however it moved the mid range graph up a tad. Helps a little with that "flat spot" in the "butt dyno."

[Zack]

I put forward that the intake spacer works due to air FLOW and not air TEMP.

The reason I say this is because the wise Jack Roush (not so much) decided to run hot radiator coolant through our upper intake to heat it up so as to prevent oil gunk clogs from the PCV system.

If you want the MOST from the PHP intake spacer, put on an air/oil separator and remove the coolant flow to the vacuum bung and now you have increased FLOW and decreased TEMP.


Rich, the real reason for the coolant being routed through the manifold is to prevent the intake from freezing in extremely cold climates.

I have it bypassed in all my cars.

[racorcey]

Rich, the real reason for the coolant being routed through the manifold is to prevent the intake from freezing in extremely cold climates.

I have it bypassed in all my cars.

Yah - this was one of the quickie performance mods on the LT1 too. Coolant was routed directly through the throttle body. Didn't take too many of us to bypass that little power robber.

I haven't taken the time to look at that equivalent on my MM. Thanks for pointing that one out.

- Randy

[VAmarauder03]

Anyone ever comtemplated installing 3 gaskets instead of the spacer?
It would be a lot cheaper.


cheaper yes but the spacer is thicker isnt ???

[RR|Suki]

I put forward that the intake spacer works due to air FLOW and not air TEMP.

The reason I say this is because the wise Jack Roush (not so much) decided to run hot radiator coolant through our upper intake to heat it up so as to prevent oil gunk clogs from the PCV system.

If you want the MOST from the PHP intake spacer, put on an air/oil separator and remove the coolant flow to the vacuum bung and now you have increased FLOW and decreased TEMP.

I never even payed attention to this...hmmmm might be worth pulling off, good lookin out. :D

[Vortech347]

Its a cheap and easy mod. I've thought about it myself but I've wondered benifits as well.

[CRUZTAKER]

From what I have gathered on here is that on a NA car with stock exhaust manifolds power gains are pretty low but once headers go on it helps increase the effectiveness of the intake spacer. More air in, more air out.

I can't prove it, but for the $80 out the door I couldn't resist the potential 5-12 torque increase on mine. Anything to get those 60 foots into the 1.60's.

Mission accomplished.

[magindat]

All in all I think it was worth it when NA and continues to be worth it SC. It's cheap and easy and does provide some gain... even if only on the butt-o-meter.

[Blackened300a]

If you want the MOST from the PHP intake spacer, put on an air/oil separator and remove the coolant flow to the vacuum bung and now you have increased FLOW and decreased TEMP.

Any pics or a how-to for this mod? Im curious now.

[RF Overlord]

Yeah, me too Rich...

Although being from the great state of Massatuckey, where's it's currently 26°, I may want to wait until spring to do it... :rolleyes:

[Paul]

me 3 please - how do I bypass this coolant flow?

[VAmarauder03]

i think hes referring to the heated pcv valve, now from the looks of it in my personal opinion there would be minimal gain if any at all,im leaning on the side of none at all, but i guess every bit helps??? just hope the pcv doesnt freeze up...

[ctrlraven]

Any pics or a how-to for this mod? Im curious now.

x2........

[magindat]

OK, OK, I'll take pics of my setup and start a new thread....

[Paul]

OK, OK, I'll take pics of my setup and start a new thread....

This is in reference to bypassing the coolant flow through the throttle body... I think I've figured out the location, but want to be sure. TIA!

[mpearce]

Anyone ever tried 2 spacers on top of one another?

What do you think that would do?

[BruteForce]

Anyone ever tried 2 spacers on top of one another?

What do you think that would do?

Wear a hole in your hood liner? :P

[RF Overlord]

Mat, I'm not sure you could get it to seal correctly with 2 spacers and 3 gaskets. Even with longer bolts, I don't think you could torque them down enough without damaging the threads in one or more bolt holes. I had one strip out on me just installing the single spacer using the recommended torque; magindat had the same problem as well.

[magindat]

I found a good engine pic of Bruteforce's engine (Thanks! :D) and circled in red the coolant connections.

Simply remove the coolant connections from the black connectors and connect them together. If this is to be permanent, go ahead and cut them for length so they'll 'lay down' in the bundle behind the valve cover. If seasonal, just leave the length alone so it's reversible.

I added about a 6" length of tubing and connected one black connector to the other just to cap it off. I've seen others (greggash) use 1/4" rubber caps. Nothing is really needed. It just helps for it not to look 'forgotten' or 'undone'.

I believe it's a 1/4" connector. I used brass to avoid potential failure of plastic down the road.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/5/4/8/pic.JPG

[magindat]

By the way, you can clearly see his PHP intake spacer below the polished upper intake!!!

[magindat]

Rich, the real reason for the coolant being routed through the manifold is to prevent the intake from freezing in extremely cold climates.

I have it bypassed in all my cars.

Prolly right. I just don't think like that in Sunny FL!!! :cool:

[Blackened300a]

Do you recomend capping it off or connecting them together? I wouldnt want a restricted flow.

BTW, that exact polished intake sit on top of my engine now. :D

[magindat]

Connect the hoses together. Cap the places you took them from.

[MercOut]

I am also interested in buying the intake spacers but from my understanding from this thread it really doesnt add any power unless you add headers. Correct?

[magindat]

You'll notice the difference in the butt-o-meter. Cheap mod. Worth it.

[MercOut]

Whats the butt-o-meter?

[magindat]

Are you kidding?!

The seat-o-the-pants dyno?

[MercOut]

lol...ya'll are too funny on this forum

[Blackened300a]

Its that feeling after you do a mod and take the first test drive, you try to judge if the mod made any improvment.

[RF Overlord]

MdRider, I'm not sure anyone has done a dyno comparo between with-spacer and without-spacer, with no other changes, but in TRW it does improve throttle response and seems to broaden the mid-range power band a little. For the money it's a nice mod, especially when combined with underdrive pulleys.

[Paul]

Thanks for the detail and the pic Rich!

[mpearce]

Mat, I'm not sure you could get it to seal correctly with 2 spacers and 3 gaskets. Even with longer bolts, I don't think you could torque them down enough without damaging the threads in one or more bolt holes. I had one strip out on me just installing the single spacer using the recommended torque; magindat had the same problem as well.

Makes sense. I was just curious how thick you could go before running into clearance issues etc. If 1 spacer improves airflow so much, I was just curious what 2 may do (if designed properly etc)

Seems like a good idea though. I know a lot of the Buick people have them. I looked into one, but I didn't want to spend money on something that I would end up not needing in the future.

-Mat

[94_302]

Check out on mach1registry.com there is a user by the screename Roy who makes spacers that are thicker than the PHP. I think he has even done a 3/4 or 1 inch spacer.

[Big House]

Well I added mines withthe help of my wife and whencombined with the headers and exhaust they netted a 30 horse and torque increase after the tune. I can't say for sure if the increase was headers allone but I think it had something to do with it.

[Blackened300a]

Check out on mach1registry.com there is a user by the screename Roy who makes spacers that are thicker than the PHP. I think he has even done a 3/4 or 1 inch spacer.

Do they have the same EGR as us? Thats the biggest pain of the job is lining it back up with the new height.

[magindat]

Makes sense. I was just curious how thick you could go before running into clearance issues etc. If 1 spacer improves airflow so much, I was just curious what 2 may do (if designed properly etc)

Seems like a good idea though. I know a lot of the Buick people have them. I looked into one, but I didn't want to spend money on something that I would end up not needing in the future.

-Mat

DR showed gains with is VS without it on a centrifugal SC, so I kept mine. If you would be going Trilogy in the future, that may play into your decision.

[94_302]

Do they have the same EGR as us? Thats the biggest pain of the job is lining it back up with the new height.

I don't think so since there intake is switched around, but a larger spacer will fit. I would say just fined someone who deleted their egr and cut it and have it welded to the original to make up for that distance. I'm also not sure if it will fit. For them they have the shaker and that just gets raised a little higher. Or you could just delete the egr unless you have emissions. Although I don't think it would be too bad to swap out the spacer and put the stock egr back on each time you have emissions since it's only every few years right?