Phenolic spacer just a gimmick?

[mysweetlx]

I was thinking of including a phenolic spacer in my next mod-list. Is there any true performance benefit from having one...or is it just a waste of $90???

[gtsr515]

90 bucks! Holy spaceage plasticz batman!

The phenolic is no gimmick, but to me it offered negative results on a 12 second N/A motor, the problem was because it effectively lengthened the intake runners, cost me 200 rpm at the finish line.

and it was $35, no bolts.

[USMC302]

I have heard both side of the story, but I think nost common use for the spacer is to clear valve covers, most racers I talk to say they did not have any performance gains after the spacer. Some did though, it really depends on your application.

[sn95gt19]

i have the valve cover clearance prob. and was just wondering if the 1" spacer that i have will clear the hood on my 95 (its left over from my 89 it didnt clear the hood on that) if it wont would a 3/8" spacer clear the hood, and most importantly will it clear my valve covers(i have the ford tall ones, not sure what to call them) i kinda need this info quick so i can make the knocking go away from my rocker arms hitting the oil baffle in the valve cover. thanks

[gtsr515]

Phenolic spacers were designed to dissapate the heat transfer from the lower intake to the upper intake on EFI applications, it's like the old piece of 3/4" plywood spacer for a carburator.

Unfortunetly it seems the only real benefit of them on EFI cars anymore is as people have stated above is a spacer to help valve cover clearance.

I lost 200rpm at the traps with mine, it's been keeping a pegboard hook company now for about 9 years, wanna buy it?

[sn95gt19]

does anyone know if a 1" spacer will clear the hood on a 95 with an edelbrock performer intake, i already have the one inch but if the 3/8 will clear my valve covers and my hood i will just go get one of those.

[mysweetlx]

Thanks guys. I've got no clearance problem so I guess I'll put the $$$ towards something else.

[USMC302]

SN95GT19, just find a peice of wood or cut one in a cube 1 inch by 1 inch and place it on top of your intake, gently lower your hood until you feel it catch on the wood or keep going until it closes, be sure not to force the hood down on the wood or whatever you use in order not to dent the hood. I honestly to not think it will work, in addition, if it does it will be very close to the heat insulator on the underside of the hood, you should wither cut the intake shape out of it or remove it completely to avoid a fire or staining your upper intake. Good luck!