Thermal Gasket?

[ybt1982]

Ok, while my engine is apart I've decided to do some go faster upgrades. I've heard different opinions from people regarding the Thermal Gasket for the Inlet Manifold.

What are the thoughts of the mighty PH people?

[phazed]

I have one 'cause Dom at Power said it works.

Every little helps!

[ybt1982]

That's a good a reason as any to have one

I was only pondering as I have heard a few folk on here as well as Rob at V8D mention they are not worth it and/or don't work.

[db418BHP]

Certainly differing opinions on the effects of a plenum spacer.
I used one and the only difference was a cooler plenum which is a good thing.
I now have a 10mm thick tufnol spacer between the trumpet base and inlet manifold. Works a treat in keeping the inlet cooler and i dont see any harm on power running 111mph terminals NA this weekend.

I might be able to make you one if you like. Got spare tufnol at home.

[Robert Lees]

I have magna parva thermal gasket under the trumpets. No idea what it was like without it as prev owner installed with carbon trumpets. Also have plenum spacer which is different, and still in its box as the majority of people say it is useless. Again bonus as i didn't buy it just inherited from prev owner who must have thought better of it.

[ybt1982]

db418BHP said:

Certainly differing opinions on the effects of a plenum spacer.
I used one and the only difference was a cooler plenum which is a good thing.
I now have a 10mm thick tufnol spacer between the trumpet base and inlet manifold. Works a treat in keeping the inlet cooler and i dont see any harm on power running 111mph terminals NA this weekend.

I might be able to make you one if you like. Got spare tufnol at home.

That's very kind mate, can I let you know once Rob gets back to me about ported inlet manifold and such.

Interesting comments chaps, really mixed bag this one

[macdeb]

Robert Lees said:

have plenum spacer which is different, and still in its box as the majority of people say it is useless.

plenum spacer = useless! wrong side of throttle!
Thermal gasket slightly different and I reckon only usefull in slow traffic for a while as it's the incoming charge that cools the plenum most and thermal gasket 'may' help a bit with heat soak. I have one of the latter as it makes 'some' sense.

Edited by macdeb on Tuesday 2nd April 15:32

[Andav469]

I fitted one to my 500 when fitting the ACT Carbon Trumpets because Tim at ACT said it would be a good idea, how gullible am I.............

[ybt1982]

Oh hang on a minute... now you've thrown something else in the mix. What's a Plenum Spacer and what is it supposed to do?

Would I be right in thinking the Thermal Gasket sits between the Plenum and the Trumpet Base and the Plenum Spacer sits under the Plenum?

This is starting to confuzzle me

[Sardonicus]

ybt1982 said:

Oh hang on a minute... now you've thrown something else in the mix. What's a Plenum Spacer and what is it supposed to do?

Would I be right in thinking the Thermal Gasket sits between the Plenum and the Trumpet Base and the Plenum Spacer sits under the Plenum?

This is starting to confuzzle me

Debatable whether they do anything but its a bit of extra volume and raises the plenum away from the trumpets so it stays in my case I also have the trumpet base thermal insulator fitted

[macdeb]

ybt1982 said:

Oh hang on a minute... now you've thrown something else in the mix. What's a Plenum Spacer and what is it supposed to do?

Would I be right in thinking the Thermal Gasket sits between the Plenum and the Trumpet Base and the Plenum Spacer sits under the Plenum?

This is starting to confuzzle me

In my limited experience, went for spin/fitted plenum spacer/ went for spin/ got back took spacer off and threw in bin. Made my car [at least] bog down when throttle planted. Back2back comparison within 1/2 hour. Don't bother with spacer! insulator, maybe. just my experience tryin' them and just trying to help.