I was reading a post lastnight that said the VE 5 speed's came with a variable intake manifold but the auto does not. why do they look the exact same? do you have to swap the entire manifold to get variable intake or is there another was of changing it. some one please make this more clear, exactly what is different between the two. Thanks

 

The auto and 5spd are different. The intake sytem consist of (in order or air flow) throttle body, then upper plenum, then lower intake manifold then into the heads. I believe the TB and lower intake manifolds are the same on all VE auto and 5spd, don't quote me on that. As you are aware the 5spd plenum has the variable system while the auto does not. From looking at the 5spd plenum it does look like a direct bolt-on for the auto. The only issue is figuring a way to activate the varible sytem and tapping into a vacuum source. The more common way to activate the variable system is by using a window switch. Some auto VE guys have looked into this swap including myself. I already purchased a spare 5spd plenum but have not gotten a chance to do the swap, I also need to get a activation switch. What I've always wonder about these 5spd and auto plenum is why did Nissan only put them on the 5spd and not the auto. Did they know something we're not seeing? Will the performance suffer on the auto? With all the 4th gen guys (both auto and 5spd) who are installing the MEVI with great success this swap for VE auto gotta be good. I'm not one to tell someone to search, but if you search Middle Eastern Varible Intake or MEVI you'll get more info on activating the varible system. Even though the info will be base on the 4th gens it will be similar on ours. Enjoy

 

My theory on why they didn't put the VI on the auto's is because the mentality of people who buy an auto SE is that they want luxury, but like the look of the SE. I assume there's a little "kick" when the VI activates, and so Nissan didn't want the auto folks to complain about it. Of course, I've never ridden in a VE 5-speed so I could be totally off.

 

You can hear it more than you feel it. With my intake I can hear the difference when I've got the window down. It's not real obvious but the difference is there.

 

There is no kick, the only kick the auto guys feel also and it is when the 4k mark hits and the VTC switches. The swap can be done, just follow what the MEVI 4th gen guys do for set up, rpm switch, etc.

The Variable intake just holds the power up top, it doesnt fall off at 5200 like the auto, it starts at about 57-5800

 

My theory is maybe not so much better top end but much better lowend. Donald, do the auto's power really drop off earlier than the 5-sps?

Reason. The non-VI auto manifolds should have all the area that the VI manifolds have. But the VI manifolds should have the ability for greater intake velocity in the lower rpms due to the smaller area(when switched off)

I could be wrong though

 

Yes, my auto dropped off at about 5100 it seemed, but then again it shifted at 5200-5300rpm, so it doesnt matter anyways

The 5 speed will pull til the needle is at 7000rpm (I know stock tachs are off) and doesnt really seem to fall off...

 

Yes, my auto dropped off at about 6100 it seemed, but then again it shifted at 6200-6300rpm, so it doesnt matter anyways

The 5 speed will pull til the needle is at 7000rpm (I know stock tachs are off) and doesnt really seem to fall off...

 

My auto doesn't come alive until 3K when it kicks you. Then at 4K, it kicks MUCH harder. Then at 5K, it kicks another time even harder. And at 5.5K, it kicks even harder. Since my rev limiter is set at 6700, I have to shift somewhere around 6500 so I don't bump it. It shifts on it's own at 6100 rpm.

The closer I get to redline, the harder my car pulls. Too bad I have to shift. But, the smile comes back quickly when the tires break lose during the shift.

 

my power never drops off I take mine to about 6600 and it pulls the whole way, but it doesn't really pull until about 3700