Its almost time to replace the intake manifold on my 98. I have a good deal on a upper and lower intake manifold from a 99 cali spec with those swirl valves. Will it bolt right on and what exactly do the swirl valves do?

 

How is it 'almost time' to replace the manifolds? That doesn't make any sense, unless you cracked them somehow.

Yes, they'll bolt on.



I just don't see why you'd want to throw an emissions-ridden Cali spec LIM in there...

 

Sorry I didnt mean to say "almost time". What I meant was my car has 145k miles on it and every now and then I like to reaplace random parts, I'm just a neat freak like that, and I have a phobia for old parts.

Anyway, youre saying the 99 cali spec manifold will bolt right into my 98? No plugs or sensors required that my car doesnt have?

 

It's a cast aluminum intake manifold. What can possibly go wrong with it? The only issue you'll have is if you replace a part that has absolutely nothing wrong with it.

Yes, it'll bolt right on. Anything else is another story. You do not have the provisions to control the swirl valves, so they'll be useless to you.

So you're replacing your manifold with one that's only a year newer? How is that any better than the current one you have on there? If you really want to satisfy this ridiculous reasoning, just buy a brand new one from the dealer.

This really makes no sense at all.

 

My manifold looks crappy on the outside, like it has acne or something, and the inside is probably filthy because my friend replaced his and showed me how bad it was inside. I'm guessing an intake manifold thats clean on the inside will get alot better throttle response than one that black and mushy on the inside.

I like the manifold with the swirl valves because for some reason the tone of the intake sounds a lot different, more throaty, its hard to explain, but my friend has the same intake as me with the 99 cali spec manifold and it sounds alot better.

And I also wanna paint it red before I put it on.

 

A couple cans of degreaser and brake parts cleaner are a lot cheaper than a new set of manifolds. The '99 manifold is likely to be in the same shape, if it had PCV and EGR running to it.

Again, you realize that you have no way of controlling the swirl valves? IIRC they're closed at rest, which means that WOT is going to suffer extremely unless you tie them open or remove them, in which case there's absolutely no point in replacing your current one anyway.

...

 

Ok then just answer this question for me... Does the LIM with swirl valves give a throatyer engine roar at lower rpms than the 95-98 LIM?

 

i guess this the way of spending money for nothing yoo just get the MEVI intake

 

Man, just take the manifold out, clean the inside and outside, put it back in and call it good. My Maxima is 98 with the stock manifold with 250k on it and works just fine.

 

It is possible, but on a 99 cali-spec it has equipment to control these swirl valves.

If I am not mistaken they are closed to "swirl" the air at low RPM and most PARTIAL throttle conditions. Conditions in which you the throttle wouldn't be open enough for you to really hear any induction noise to begin with.

At higher RPM's or higher throttle openings, these swirl valves have to open up or else they restrict airflow waaaaaay too much.

Since you have no way to control the opening and closing of these on your car, you will have to permanently wire them open or remove them anyway.




I can understand how it may feel nice to have new or newer parts in your car, but there are some things better left alone. IMO switching to the 99 cali LIM is more of a downgrade than an upgrade.

Also unless your intake manifold is physically broken somehow (the only one I've ever seen cracked or broken was on a 2002 Maxima that had been hit head on by a truck at 60mph which forced the engine through the firewall), there is no need to replace it.

Normally on an older car if you unnecessarily replace parts that don't need to be replaced you run the risk of damaging other components in the process or causing other problems.

If you really want a clean manifold you could probably take it off, and instead of buying a new one, have a shop hot tank it or something so its perfectly clean on the inside and outside, then get new gaskets and re-install.


Or if you are swapping manifolds anyway, maybe look into an 00vi, or a variable intake manifold from the 2000-2001 Maxima and gain 30ish hp from it.

 

They'll likely cause a minor change in intake tone, don't know if I'd classify it as 'throatyer (sic)'.

Again, not worth the time or money. If you're going to spend money to replace the manifold, at least get a damn 00VI or MEVI.

Or, waste your money and time by replacing a perfectly good manifold with an identical one. Either one works, I suppose

 

Ok because I noticed something in the tone of my intake compared to one with a 99 cali spec.

My 98...
0-2500 rpm - exhaust only
2500-4500 - low/deep intake sound
4500-redline - high/screaming intake sound

Friends 99 cali spec...
0-2500 rpm - exhaust and some intake
2500-4500 - high/screaming intake sound, just not as loud
4500-redline - high/screaming intake sound, sounds cleaner and throatyer

With the 99 cali spec, you get the same intake sound throught the whole RPM's. Even at RPM's under 2500.

 

You used some high tech sound equipment for that test?

The Cali Spec IM setup sucks. 99's are the slowest of any 4th gens.
Why in the world would you want to put any sort of stock restrictive part into your better performing 98? Sound differances? Totally nuts. You will never get the same sound with a simple IM swap, there's much more going on inside your engine compartment that attributes to it's "sound".

FYI -
The swirl valves only operate while the engine is cool.
Once it's up to operating temp, they remain open at all times.
At that point they become a small restrictive part inside the IM, completely useless.

 

Are there any differences with your intake/airbox/filter setup? IMO that would make more of a difference in sound than the 99 LIM.

Also you mention yours has a low-deep sound at midrange RPM's while your friends car doesn't? Is it possible your friend has MEVI or 00vi swapped? If anything that will make the most sound difference.

 

mantis, just give me the money you were going to use on a "new" intake manifold if you like giving away money like this. you and your friend.

while youre at it, you might as well replace:
driver side window
steering wheel
washer fluid reservoir cap
new set of keys
just other random parts that dont need replacing just because its time

 

are you thinking about a carburetor?? cause if thats the case, you are correct, carbs need to be replaced at times and needs a good cleaning. BUT WE DON"T HAVE A CARBURETOR!!!!! Changing out an intake manifold because its time?? Man, and people say when shops rip people off it looks bad, but if i was a shop, i'd tell you that since you need a new filter and haven't replaced it in about 4k miles, you left it in there too long and now you'd need to replace the snorkels, airbox, maf, tb, egr, headers, and engine mounts

i don't usually rag on people and if someone is wrong, i'll point it out. But we have clearly pointed out and you still want to do it. So its time for a slap in the face. But for one, get new friends. I know for a fact that someone ingrained this into your head. There's no way you will think that you're going to replace something because its time because i don't believe you have much car knowledge. If this was the case, then replace your 4th gen with a 6th gen, or even a 7. I mean, you have a 98, thats 11 yrs old. Its time.

Edit** its almost like saying that since you haven't washed your car and its dirty, i'm going to repaint the car.

 

Dont forget the gyromax switch while youre in there.



But to contribute: Uppers do differ slightly also. The vac ports are in different locations on the TB and inlet of the manifold. I had to change some things around on my 98 to get the older style manifold, in this case MEVI, to fit. Nothing major but since we are splitting hairs here..... 99's also have slightly different emissions equipment bolted to the top so again some things need to be swapped over or removed.

 

well seeing as there is no way you are goin to change ur mind... i have a 99 cali spec manifold that i can sell ya =)

 

How much do they even charge for them brand new??

Honestly

IBsomeonewitha00viswaphasausimfordirtcheap

<----------

 

All of the ones listed in FAST:

UIM:

02/94-05/95 (Fed spec):
14010-40U12, $315.32 each at Courtesy

02/94-05/95 (Cali spec), and 05/95-06/97:
14010-40U05, $315.32 each at Courtesy

06/97-06/98:
14010-2L910, $299.94 each at Courtesy

06/98+:
14010-4L610, $313.48 each at Courtesy

LIM:

95-98 all, and 99 Fed spec:
14003-38U00, $232.87 each at Courtesy

99 Cali spec:
14001-4L700, $220.06 each at Courtesy

 

ok you guys are rite my friend did implant this in my head. We both have the same CAI setup. I just always wondered why his sounds more cripsy and why his intake makes sound at low rpms. My intake is silent under 3000 rpm and it doesnt sound as good. His is a 99 cali spec so he said its the intake manifold. Maybe mine just needs a good cleaning. I really dont know what it is. It could be because mines automatic and his is 5spd. Anyone know??? Its not that important like I wouldnt pay hundreds to get a better intake sound I'm just really curious.

 

DING DING DING DING!!!

We have a winner and an answer, finally.

A CAI on a 5 speed sounds and performs totally different then a CAI on an automatic. The 5 speed jumps up in RPM's much quicker then the auto does, hance his intake screams quicker then yours does.

You'll be wasting your time and $$$ swapping manifolds, swap the transmission and you'll hear and feel a huge differance.

 

WOOT!!!! I KNEW THAT SOMEONE HAD TO PLANT THAT IN YOUR HEAD!!!!!

GAH!!! i really can't believe this. I was kinda funny cause it sorta stumped me a lil bit and i was wondering why myself and the reason i can come up with was that he had a leak somewhere.

However, i am glad that you did decide to ask that question and not ask the question, hey, i changed my manifold, but it still doesn't sound as good as my friends car. Why?

 

Lol ok thanks. I always wanted to do a 5 speed swap especially because my tranny is slipping from 2nd to 3rd gear a little bit. But isnt it a risky job? Will the transmission perform like a maxima that originally came with a 5spd?

 

Risky...how?

The trans will perform exactly as a trans does, regardless of what make, model, or factory-trans car vehicle it's put in. If you mean the whole swap, then maybe. It really depends on who does it, and how good of a job they do.

 

Man for the price you would of paid to get the intake you can invest in the 5spd swap.......

hell you could do a 3.5 swap with that money

 

Sorry to thread jack, but I just had a somewhat related question pop into my head and was wondering if maybe you guys, and pmohr, would know the answer.

So I have a '99, cali spec. I've thought about doing a 00vi swap. Now everyone talks about rigging the swirl valves so they stay open, or taking them out or whatev. But from what I gather, and I never realized before, my car should already have swirl valves. And thus the needed equipment to operate them.

So if I do a 00vi swap, can I leave the swirl valves, and even hook them up so they'll operate the way they should? From what I can understand I would believe the answer to be yes? Or is it still beneficial for some reason to rig them open?

Thanks, and sorry for the thread jack.

 

They appear to be controlled in an almost identical fashion, so assuming you hook up the vac lines correctly they should work as designed.

Personally, I'd just get rid of them. One less obstruction in the intake path, but that's just me

 

Yea, it'd be good to get em out of the way I guess. It was just a concern I had, rigging em open or whatever. Ultimately I'd have to decide once I actually were to do the swap.

 

yeah most people just plug them up. I dont know (if any) 00vi swap where there just zip tied open. But then again alot of people have that have a 00vi.

 

what a trainwreck this thread is

/yoda

/ibtl

 

I just had a cali spec warpspeed y-pipe put on and a 2.5" exhaust. The shop didn't leave the cat. on. When I talked with the shop owner he said that it is fine and I will pass inspection; I'm in nj. He said the cel is not on and it's fine. I thought that, technically, legally, the car must have all the cats as it came from the factory. I don't care about the y-pipe replacing the pre-cat but I am concerned about the main cat because visually that will not pass. Isn't there a huge fine involved in removing cats? I don't know why the shop kept telling me I would be fine. Can someone reassure me that I'm right? The car is a '99 se automatic cali spec.

 

This epic thread was about intake manifolds... not exhaust.... Try another thread buddy.