I have about almost 90k miles on my car and my mechanic said that its about time for a tune up so i need some more spark plugs i am thinking about going with NGK Iridiums and then he mentioned something about a
PLENEUM GASKET and i dont have any idea what that is nor where to get them from or whichs ones to get and whichs ones not to get. and i have no idea how much i should pay for one. any info would help!!

 

what year do you have?
00-01 not available
02-03 NWP Engineering

Aaron created these just for us and there have been PLENTY of threads about them.

they are called Thermal Intake Manifold Spacers

http://www.nwpengineering.com/

 

plenum = intake manifold

Car is probably 3.5 since he would be changing the UIM gasket and the plugs at the same time.

Get the spacers from aaron, if you dont want em just get a nissan oem or a felpro gasket.

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....spacers+intake

get them, they are beautifully designed and well worth the money. nice increase right where you need it in the power curve.

 

so this will replace the Plenum gasket for good and this Thermal Intake Manifold Spacers wiil give me more power and work just as good. is just a little of power or really good noticable power. and does it really give you 10hp and 12tq or is it less

 

it will replace the IM gasket and add spacers between both parts of the IM and elbow and TB. they will not transfer heat, so the air entering the engine is cooler and more dense. plus, it smooths out the air as it passes through the IM.

it is noticeable power...and like i said, its right where you need it.

where have you been this was a huge deal on here a year ago when Aaron introduced them.

 

ive seen it before but i just thought that it was a ugrade that would require other parts and that it might harm the engine. I will take this upgrade strongly into consideration. Is it pretty easy to install and what spark plugs would you recommend. I thinking about the NGK iridium 8.00 a plug

 

You can NOT go wrong with Aaron's kit. I've got it and the power is definitely there. Do you have an intake? The reason I ask is because of the sound produced with these spacers. Love the sound... Other then headers this definitely produces the power you are missing. Oh... and don't short yourself go with the whole kit while your under the hood. You'll be happy that you did.

Anyway NGK Platinums or Iridium's are good. I paid right and 9.00 and change a piece for mine.

Lastly, do the install yourself. Aaron provides a detailed write up on how to install these. Follow those and you'll be fine. There is a spark plug write up for the 3.5 also. If you are doing the spacers then you won't have any issues getting to the back plugs. GL man...

 

I had to deal with the plenum gasket yesterday.. I called up the dealership to get a price on the gasket ($50). I mentioned I was going to replace the spark plugs (2002 = 3.5L = PITA), and that I need the gasket for the intake manifold. The guy on the phone sounded shocked, asked me where I got my directions and told me they were wrong, and all I needed was the plenum gasket. (I think another guy working in the parts department there referred to it as an intake manifold upper gasket.

I'd honestly never heard of a plenum before. Apparently, the plenum is what sits on top of the intake manifold. It's the silver part that you see (with the six "tubes" when your engine cover is still on. The intake manifold is what the plenum sits on. You only have to remove the plenum to get to the spark plugs, coils, fuel injectors, etc.

 

can we please use the correct name for the part on our cars...intake manifold.

the entire thing from the throttle body to the engine is the intake manifold
includes -
Lower Intake Manifold
Upper Intake Manifold (Lower Collector)
Elbow (Upper Collector)

and the parts guy is right, when you change the spark plugs, you only need the "intake manifold gasket" since all you remove is the upper IM

 

PLENUM CHAMBER
Definition: A chamber, located between the throttle body and the runners of an intake manifold, used to distribute the intake charge evenly and to enhance engine breathing.


a VQ35 on a Z has this...we dont. we have the TB and then the runners.

 

The parts guy said plenum, I said intake manifold. I've never even heard of a plenum.

 

kinda like using a vias block off plate to help mid to top end?

 

Not the same principle at all.




Anyhow, I've removed my I'm many times and have yet to replace it. It's metal . I'm saying go out and do this, I'm just sayin'....

Eh, it's probably not a good practice to do this though.

 

Do you have an intake? The reason I ask is because of the sound produced with these spacers. Love the sound... Other then headers this definitely produces the power you are missing.

Do YOU have an intake? Are you saying it overpowers the intake or works better with/without it??

I've got the lil stillen short ram ?

 

works well with intake (intake tone is louder and deeper). they both work together to deliever an increased amount of colder more dense air to the cylinders.

 

Yeah... don't confuse what I'm saying. I was saying that the sound produced with this set up is nice with an intake.

 

do plenum spacers work for every type of motor or just the VQ? the plenum spacer has been around for the Z,G,FX community for over 3 years...if the concept is being used universally then it must be an easy way to add volume and change the flow characteristics in an otherwise stock intake manifold. i do know that "up rev" '05+ VQ35DE's used in manual trans Z33 and G35 coupes need an '04 VQ lower manifold collector to experience the better midrange powerband.

 

I thought I touched base on this earlier?