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NWP DE-k spacer install

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Old Jun 7, 2010 | 05:29 AM
  #1  
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NWP DE-k spacer install

So on Saturday I tackled the install. It is not for the faint of heart! Took 8 hours total (with some smoke breaks in between). The main issue was the bracket on the back of the VI. It was very difficult to get to. Also I decided to clean out the VI and LIM while at because it was kinda dirty. Over all the material and fittiment (after modification) was excellent. As for gains I feel slight low end, however my car is in need of dyno tuning. To be very honest on a DEK it is not as straight forward an install like a 4th or 5.5 gen. But as a bonus I learned a lot about the motors!
Old Jun 7, 2010 | 07:39 AM
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I just install mine over the weekend as well. If you have the right tools, its pretty straight forward with the instruction.
Old Jun 7, 2010 | 08:33 AM
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On my 5.5 it was pretty easy. It took a little longer than it was supposed to but I took my time and allowed the RTV to set up before going to the next step. The most difficult part of the whole thing was finding a torque wrench that could go down to 7 ft lbs for some of the fasteners.

As for the gains, low end is pretty good, midrange pulls a bit better and the upper end is just phenomenal.
Old Jun 7, 2010 | 01:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Froggmann
On my 5.5 it was pretty easy. It took a little longer than it was supposed to but I took my time and allowed the RTV to set up before going to the next step. The most difficult part of the whole thing was finding a torque wrench that could go down to 7 ft lbs for some of the fasteners.

As for the gains, low end is pretty good, midrange pulls a bit better and the upper end is just phenomenal.
That's easy...84 in/lbs.....Snap On (click type torque wrench) 1/4" drive (30 in/lbs-200 in-lbs).....
Old Jun 7, 2010 | 01:20 PM
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Glad you got em in!

Get it tuned, I'm waiting for numbers.
Old Jun 7, 2010 | 02:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Froggmann
As for the gains, low end is pretty good, midrange pulls a bit better and the upper end is just phenomenal.
now wait a sec...you're a 5.5. i wanna hear DE-K owners chime in to let me know how much of a differnce they feel.
Old Jun 7, 2010 | 02:42 PM
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Wait, must be missin somethin. why an intake spacer for an already plastic manifold?
Old Jun 7, 2010 | 05:03 PM
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Originally Posted by ChevelleRH
Wait, must be missin somethin. why an intake spacer for an already plastic manifold?
1. Our lower intake manifold is not plastic...

2. Intake manifold spacers also increase the runner length which in theory will still make power over factory length runners.

3. Everyone who has installed these so far on a dek has noticed an increase in power.
Old Jun 7, 2010 | 05:56 PM
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Ok. Still doesnt seem like it would do much IMO. the LIM makes up little of the overall, but if something more than the butt dyno warrants it...

Last edited by ChevelleRH; Jun 7, 2010 at 06:01 PM.
Old Jun 8, 2010 | 08:15 PM
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there are good gains from the dek motor with the spacers. its not as much as y-pipe but its noticeable and up top the engine pulls hard passed 5k... more than usual.
I would say give the engine 4-5 days to actually even itself out and you will find good consistency. also with an intake filter my gas mileage went up 1-2 mpg on the highway even when going 85.
on the dek the y-pipe n spacers are the least expensive way to see some gains IMO.
for the record the outside of the manifold is plastic but the actual tubing inside has metal. i was suprised to see it when i took off the UIM.
Old Jun 8, 2010 | 08:55 PM
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The spacers are supposed to reduce the intake air temperature by 40 degrees and make the 5.5 aluminum intake cool to the touch. After the spacer install I can still fry an egg on my manifold, but I still gained 28 peak horsepower in the midrange. So increasing runner length definitely helps.
Old Jun 8, 2010 | 09:59 PM
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Nice that you got them in cant wait till I get some!!
Old Jun 9, 2010 | 11:42 AM
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Originally Posted by knight_yyz
The spacers are supposed to reduce the intake air temperature by 40 degrees and make the 5.5 aluminum intake cool to the touch. After the spacer install I can still fry an egg on my manifold, but I still gained 28 peak horsepower in the midrange. So increasing runner length definitely helps.
I noticed the same thing but only after I let the engine heatsoak for a bit. If I pop the hood after running on the freeway the UIM is not cool but still a lot cooler than the rest of the engine.
Old Jun 9, 2010 | 11:44 AM
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Originally Posted by knight_yyz
The spacers are supposed to reduce the intake air temperature by 40 degrees and make the 5.5 aluminum intake cool to the touch. After the spacer install I can still fry an egg on my manifold, but I still gained 28 peak horsepower in the midrange. So increasing runner length definitely helps.
Holy cow, when did you do this dyno?
Old Jun 9, 2010 | 02:37 PM
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ok you VQ35 guys need to get out cause we already know that the spacer helps you guys!
i wanna hear the DE-K guys chime in!
Old Jun 9, 2010 | 06:01 PM
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Took me about 5 hours because of annoying things like that bracket that attaches to the back of the manifold and the bracket that attaches to that bracket. Did find a big mouse nest below the lower part though. Did a 5.5 right after mine. Took less than an hour taking my time.
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 03:31 PM
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Originally Posted by rayac88
there are good gains from the dek motor with the spacers. its not as much as y-pipe but its noticeable and up top the engine pulls hard passed 5k... more than usual.
I would say give the engine 4-5 days to actually even itself out and you will find good consistency. also with an intake filter my gas mileage went up 1-2 mpg on the highway even when going 85.
on the dek the y-pipe n spacers are the least expensive way to see some gains IMO.
for the record the outside of the manifold is plastic but the actual tubing inside has metal. i was suprised to see it when i took off the UIM.
I'm bumping this months old thread in an attempt to get more feedback from DE-K nwp spacer users.
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 04:54 PM
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I have them. install was not bad. I never used a dremel before doing this and I had no problems. I really can say what difference they made because I installed just about everything at once. Headers, exhuast, intake and more. I know many will say they are pointless because the upper manifold doesnt get that hot. My reason for the purchase was the fact that these spacers lenthen the intake runners and reduce lower intake manifold temp. My last reason among a few other small ones, is NWP make parts for maximas. If we do not support the vendor that make maxima specific items then we will have even less aftermarket support. Finally, I will state that I do not notice any low end power loss with my power rod removed. These spacers with my flywheel, pulley, pftb and other mods must make up for the reported loss in the lower rpm band. The car is a 97 VQ30DE with 00vi.
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 05:09 PM
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Originally Posted by maxboy325
I have them. install was not bad. I never used a dremel before doing this and I had no problems. I really can say what difference they made because I installed just about everything at once. Headers, exhuast, intake and more. I know many will say they are pointless because the upper manifold doesnt get that hot. My reason for the purchase was the fact that these spacers lenthen the intake runners and reduce lower intake manifold temp. My last reason among a few other small ones, is NWP make parts for maximas. If we do not support the vendor that make maxima specific items then we will have even less aftermarket support. Finally, I will state that I do not notice any low end power loss with my power rod removed. These spacers with my flywheel, pulley, pftb and other mods must make up for the reported loss in the lower rpm band. The car is a 97 VQ30DE with 00vi.
Okay that's good to hear (and I don't think anyone can be mad @ your reason for supporting NWP lol)

Earlier in this thread someone posted that while the uim is plastic on the outside, the inner piping is metal? That kinda renewed my interest. Thanks for the update
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 05:32 PM
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Hmm very interesting. In for more input. May just sway me to get spacers for my DE-K....
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 05:34 PM
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Originally Posted by 5 ltr. beater
ok you VQ35 guys need to get out cause we already know that the spacer helps you guys!
i wanna hear the DE-K guys chime in!
Old Jan 12, 2011 | 04:50 AM
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Originally Posted by 5 ltr. beater
ok you VQ35 guys need to get out cause we already know that the spacer helps you guys!
i wanna hear the DE-K guys chime in!

+1!!!

Mine are just sitting at home at the moment. Would like to hear more DE-K guys also!
Old Jan 12, 2011 | 05:59 AM
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Originally Posted by atxking27
+1!!!

Mine are just sitting at home at the moment. Would like to hear more DE-K guys also!
Just install them cant hurt. I figure its a plus all around only problem I could see is not taking your time and ending up with a vac leak
Old Jan 12, 2011 | 06:48 AM
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Originally Posted by maxboy325
Just install them cant hurt. I figure its a plus all around only problem I could see is not taking your time and ending up with a vac leak

I would but I'm kinda in Afghanistan right now. lol
Old Jan 12, 2011 | 06:58 AM
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Maybe I should do this...
Old Jan 12, 2011 | 07:21 AM
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Originally Posted by atxking27
I would but I'm kinda in Afghanistan right now. lol
O I C
Old Jan 12, 2011 | 07:23 AM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by MoncefA33
Maybe I should do this...
Do it with the cam install
Old Jan 12, 2011 | 09:10 AM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by atxking27
+1!!!

Mine are just sitting at home at the moment. Would like to hear more DE-K guys also!
Wanna sell em to me?
Old Jan 12, 2011 | 09:18 AM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by maxboy325
Do it with the cam install
Hmm...
Old Jan 12, 2011 | 01:53 PM
  #30  
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Anyone get numbers for the DE-K's yet?
Old Jan 12, 2011 | 05:15 PM
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Originally Posted by jrflores
Anyone get numbers for the DE-K's yet?
Or dyno pulls on You Tube? That would be sweet...
Old Jan 12, 2011 | 05:20 PM
  #32  
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Anyone have the spacers installed and spinning past the factory redline? I've heard our DE-K's make good power past the factory set redline...
Old Jan 12, 2011 | 05:55 PM
  #33  
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Come on. Theres gotta be at least one DE-K with spacers out there! Share the knowledge!
Old Jan 24, 2011 | 10:23 AM
  #34  
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might have to look into this as I have a nasty oil leak coming from the timing cover...
Old Jan 24, 2011 | 12:12 PM
  #35  
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Appreciate you bumping this thread.

So, anyone care to chime in on this??
Old Jan 24, 2011 | 04:15 PM
  #36  
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It would be nice to see some before and after dyno numbers..
Old Jan 24, 2011 | 04:16 PM
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Stop being lazy and cheap, and get them installed on your DEK's and stop bumping the thread. Cripes ...
Old Jan 29, 2011 | 06:40 AM
  #38  
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Most people who have them are modded. The DE-K install is not nearly as easy as the 5.5 gen install. Took an entire day to install mainly because of the rear bracket holding the Intake manifold to the firewall. Mine took this long as I ored out the intake slightly to compensate for the PFTB. However I would still estimate a good half day due to the modifying and also the amount of hoses on a DE-K motor.

- I would not recommend doing this if it is your only mod, or you have minor mods like an intake only.
- I would highly recommend if you are highly modded or in the process of putting in a 00VI to your 4th gen. The labour is not worth it for minor bolt-ons.
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