Intake manifold spacers.

[mistral cytz]

Just wondering if those running JHM or any other brand of intake spacers have noticed good results and most importantly long term reliability since I know the S4 is prone to intake manifolds leaking? I just figured the spacers being made of perhaps even a high temp plastic could have issues with heat over long term use and would start to crack or leak?

I don't expect much power increase, but was looking to do them more as a preventative maintenance mod with summer temps arriving in the next few months and figured the lower intake temperatures could help lower heat soak after extended idle in traffic.

The mod is fairly cheap but I don't want to run into pesky leaks or codes with a leaky intake etc.

Thanks.

[Baggio]

I have tested it after about an hour of stop and go and hard driving and pulled into my garage popped the hood and the intake was cold to touch. This was in 40-50 degree weather, so take that with a grain of salt. Overall the underhood temperatures seem to be a lot lower after the install. I am basing this on touch only. I am sure in summer temperatures it won't be as cold to the touch.

[dparm]

The benefits of phenolic spacers have been established for a very very long time and across tons of platforms.

[dolphin B6 S4]

I have them, i noticed a little bit of a bump in lower end torque with my butt dyno. Good mod for the $$

[mistral cytz]

Ok all good to know and thanks for the responses. So performance and preventative maintenance wise it's a good move. Has anyone run these long term and had any issues with leaks?

Thanks.

[Mr.Wrong]

These have been out for a number of years now and I can't remember I came across a single negative thread about these. Best bang for your buck to keep your IM cooler.

[dparm]

Ok all good to know and thanks for the responses. So performance and preventative maintenance wise it's a good move. Has anyone run these long term and had any issues with leaks?

Thanks.

Why would it leak? It still uses the factory metal gaskets.

[beemercer]

good mod, I'd recommend them, if its in the budget grab the ported intake manifold.

I've never heard of anyone having issues with leaks due to the spacers and JHM has been selling them since fall 2008. I'd just check the bolt tightness every once in a while (oil changes) since even everything stock they tend to loosen up over time.

[madkimchi]

never heard of intake manifold leaking. leaking what? air??? there is no oil or coolant in intake manifold. are you confused with valve cover?

[MidwestB6]

never heard of intake manifold leaking. leaking what? air??? there is no oil or coolant in intake manifold. are you confused with valve cover?

The IM is downstream of the MAF, so if it leaks, it'll cause a rough idle or no running at all.

[Quadfreak]

I think he is confusing the intake manifold for the valve covers?

[beemercer]

never heard of intake manifold leaking. leaking what? air??? there is no oil or coolant in intake manifold. are you confused with valve cover?

Vacuum leak. If the IM doesn't seal right the engine will suck in unmetered air and run like shit.

The IM is downstream of the MAF, so if it leaks, it'll cause a rough idle or no running at all.

Exactly. You can also have vac leaks so small they don't effect the idle/throw codes, but do limit performance. Happened with my B6 after gasket matching the heads for the ported IM prior to the tapered spacers being available.

[mistral cytz]

Vacuum leak. If the IM doesn't seal right the engine will suck in unmetered air and run like shit.



Exactly. You can also have vac leaks so small they don't effect the idle/throw codes, but do limit performance. Happened with my B6 after gasket matching the heads for the ported IM prior to the tapered spacers being available.

Yes I was referring to a vacuum leak which I thought I came across in a thread but I guess it was just from intake manifold bolts coming loose overtime which would be no worse or common a problem with the spacers I guess.

I'll order them soon. Ordered the JHM short throw shifter and a fuel filter Tuesday afternoon with the lowest priority/cheapest shipping and it already showed up this morning in Toronto Canada! JHM doesn't mess around with shipping times!

[BCsniper]

usually when the IM isn't seated properly you will get squealing type noise. This has happened to many people (including myself) with the stock setup and no spacers. Those bolts have to be just right. I could see it also happening with the spacers but I have not really heard of it being an issue and as beemercer said the JHM spacers have been out for a long time now.

[Jake@JHM]

You should't have any issues with the intake spacers and they are a nice, relatively inexpensive upgrade .

[GOR720]

just ordered mine, can't wait to install them