Phenolic Spacer...Bad for Performance?

MY91GT · 04-22-2001, 10:59 PM

I'm running a 1" on my setup right now, and I've been told if I ditch it, I will gain some more hp since the runner length is tuned specifically without a spacer.
Thanks again

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TW Heads, Edlebrock RPM, 75mm TB, 75mm MM, Anderson N-2 cam, stock block, underdrives, paxton regulator, bbk 155 intank, 30lbers, motorsport alum rad msd ignition and coil, 3.73 gear, Tremec 3550, Motorsport HD clutch, K&N, hooker shorties, pacesetter h-pipe, and dynomax cat back, mac upper and lower control arms, no front sway bar. I think that's it. GO ILLINI!!!
Waiting for good weather for new times.

WADS56 · 04-23-2001, 02:13 AM

They say that it will make peak hp at lower rpm and more torq, but I have not noticed a thing on mine. I have the 1' on mine to make clearance for the valve covers.

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347 W/ A-trim 6#'s, Canfield heads, out of the box Systemax II intake, solid roller cam. 11.1 @123mph

93lx 5.0 daily driver

MY91GT · 04-23-2001, 06:48 AM

Ok thanks for the input. I have the same problem with my motorsport alum valve covers. The RPM intake almost fits, it needs about 1/4-1/8 of an inch. I'm thinking about grinding a little on the valve cover and the end plate of the rpm to make it fit without the spacer.

Rick 91GT · 04-23-2001, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by WADS56:
They say that it will make peak hp at lower rpm and more torq, but I have not noticed a thing on mine. I have the 1' on mine to make clearance for the valve covers.

I am doing the same thing for clearance and I have not noticed any difference either.

------------------
Check Out My Site 91GT,Holley SysteMAX II Kit-Heads 2.02" x 1.60" port matched to a 1262,Anderson N-61,24#,76mm C&L,Full MAC exhaust 1-5/8" Long tubes,2-1/2" O.R H-Pipe,2 1/2" cat back, No A/C or PS or emissions, 12" K&N Filter,RNH PERFORMANCE Ram Air,Ron Davis Radiator,Full Suspension,S&W 8pt "X" brace,JAZ seats,3:73's,Welds..etc,4:30's and 31 splines coming very soon!

Strim91GT · 04-23-2001, 12:27 PM

Hey, I just ordered ford motorsport polished tall aluminum valve covers. I'll need a spacer also. Are you guys using aftermarket hoods to get the intake to fit under the hood? or does the intake fit just fine under a stock hood? I'm using a cobra intake. I've heard the spacers don't affect horsepower a lot, but give a little more torque.

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edelbrock 6032 heads,cobra intake,b303,4.10 gear,tremec tko,vortech s trim,polished cobra r's,dual friction clutch

MY91GT · 04-23-2001, 10:30 PM

I have the tall motorsport valve covers and i run a 1" spacer. It will not fit under a stock hood even if you cut the supports. Unfortunatley, it barely touches my 1.5" cowl Mach 1 hood. I think I am going to go with a 1/2 spacer instead.

Rick 91GT · 04-24-2001, 06:58 AM

Mine sits about 2-3/4" up inside my 4" Cowl, with my Holley and my 1" spacer. I also run the spacer to try to get a little low end torque back since the motor with it's big valves makes more of a top end charge instead on a low end torque monster.

------------------
Check Out My Site 91GT,Holley SysteMAX II Kit-Heads 2.02" x 1.60" port matched to a 1262,Anderson N-61,24#,76mm C&L,Full MAC exhaust 1-5/8" Long tubes,2-1/2" O.R H-Pipe,2 1/2" cat back, No A/C or PS or emissions, 12" K&N Filter,RNH PERFORMANCE Ram Air,Ron Davis Radiator,Full Suspension,S&W 8pt "X" brace,JAZ seats,3:73's,Welds..etc,4:30's and 31 splines coming very soon!

jimberg · 04-24-2001, 07:39 AM

I used to have the polished aluminum covers to clear my FMS 1.6 rrs. 1" spacer, too. I got rid of the spacer by getting TFS valve covers. They cleared the rockers and the GT-40 intake. I have noticed better performance at the top end, but my runners ,with the GT-40, were too long without the spacer.

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351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

blake buckman · 04-25-2001, 03:41 AM

remember the shorter your runners better top end power, longer better low end breathing. It does somewhat help your air charge temp. to reduce, due to less metal to metal contact with HEAT soaked Lower intake. personally I use a half inch port matched cobra intake with no clearence problems. I strongly advise port matching spacer to BOTH UPPER AND LOWER. Since they don't always line up when bolted together. There is an easy trick on saving gaskets w/ spacers. Buy some brush on RED LIQUID GASKET and glue your gaskets to the spacer and they will not move upon installation!! I have used the same gaskets several times/

04-22-2001, 10:59 PM	#1
MY91GT Registered Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign Posts: 370	Phenolic Spacer...Bad for Performance? I'm running a 1" on my setup right now, and I've been told if I ditch it, I will gain some more hp since the runner length is tuned specifically without a spacer. Thanks again ------------------ TW Heads, Edlebrock RPM, 75mm TB, 75mm MM, Anderson N-2 cam, stock block, underdrives, paxton regulator, bbk 155 intank, 30lbers, motorsport alum rad msd ignition and coil, 3.73 gear, Tremec 3550, Motorsport HD clutch, K&N, hooker shorties, pacesetter h-pipe, and dynomax cat back, mac upper and lower control arms, no front sway bar. I think that's it. GO ILLINI!!! Waiting for good weather for new times.

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04-23-2001, 02:13 AM	#2
WADS56 gear banger Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: CHICAGO Posts: 1,144	They say that it will make peak hp at lower rpm and more torq, but I have not noticed a thing on mine. I have the 1' on mine to make clearance for the valve covers. ------------------ 347 W/ A-trim 6#'s, Canfield heads, out of the box Systemax II intake, solid roller cam. 11.1 @123mph 93lx 5.0 daily driver

04-23-2001, 06:48 AM	#3
MY91GT Registered Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign Posts: 370	Ok thanks for the input. I have the same problem with my motorsport alum valve covers. The RPM intake almost fits, it needs about 1/4-1/8 of an inch. I'm thinking about grinding a little on the valve cover and the end plate of the rpm to make it fit without the spacer.

04-23-2001, 12:27 PM	#5
Strim91GT Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Kansas Posts: 59	Hey, I just ordered ford motorsport polished tall aluminum valve covers. I'll need a spacer also. Are you guys using aftermarket hoods to get the intake to fit under the hood? or does the intake fit just fine under a stock hood? I'm using a cobra intake. I've heard the spacers don't affect horsepower a lot, but give a little more torque. ------------------ edelbrock 6032 heads,cobra intake,b303,4.10 gear,tremec tko,vortech s trim,polished cobra r's,dual friction clutch

04-23-2001, 10:30 PM	#6
MY91GT Registered Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign Posts: 370	I have the tall motorsport valve covers and i run a 1" spacer. It will not fit under a stock hood even if you cut the supports. Unfortunatley, it barely touches my 1.5" cowl Mach 1 hood. I think I am going to go with a 1/2 spacer instead.

04-24-2001, 06:58 AM	#7
Rick 91GT Procharged! Join Date: May 1999 Location: Hanover, PA Posts: 1,539	Mine sits about 2-3/4" up inside my 4" Cowl, with my Holley and my 1" spacer. I also run the spacer to try to get a little low end torque back since the motor with it's big valves makes more of a top end charge instead on a low end torque monster. ------------------ Check Out My Site 91GT,Holley SysteMAX II Kit-Heads 2.02" x 1.60" port matched to a 1262,Anderson N-61,24#,76mm C&L,Full MAC exhaust 1-5/8" Long tubes,2-1/2" O.R H-Pipe,2 1/2" cat back, No A/C or PS or emissions, 12" K&N Filter,RNH PERFORMANCE Ram Air,Ron Davis Radiator,Full Suspension,S&W 8pt "X" brace,JAZ seats,3:73's,Welds..etc,4:30's and 31 splines coming very soon!

04-24-2001, 07:39 AM	#8
jimberg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Rogers, MN Posts: 2,089	I used to have the polished aluminum covers to clear my FMS 1.6 rrs. 1" spacer, too. I got rid of the spacer by getting TFS valve covers. They cleared the rockers and the GT-40 intake. I have noticed better performance at the top end, but my runners ,with the GT-40, were too long without the spacer. ------------------ 351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

04-25-2001, 03:41 AM	#9
blake buckman Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: louisville KY 40229 Posts: 32	remember the shorter your runners better top end power, longer better low end breathing. It does somewhat help your air charge temp. to reduce, due to less metal to metal contact with HEAT soaked Lower intake. personally I use a half inch port matched cobra intake with no clearence problems. I strongly advise port matching spacer to BOTH UPPER AND LOWER. Since they don't always line up when bolted together. There is an easy trick on saving gaskets w/ spacers. Buy some brush on RED LIQUID GASKET and glue your gaskets to the spacer and they will not move upon installation!! I have used the same gaskets several times/