VX II Acclaim - Manifold insulators and plenum spacers.

[Seanyy]

Gday all,
Just bought a VX II Acclaim, wanting a few small...*cough* unnoticeable *cough*... engine modifications that would add a bit of kick here and there. Preferrably low-end torque, but low-mid if necessary.
Ive got the normal, everyday common ideas that all P-platers do to their commo's, but manifold insulators and plenum spacers were suggested to me the other day.
Any advice on these would be great, and also, if there's someone out there who has to time to chuck me a list of suggested engine mods, that would be muchly appreciated.
And how obvious these engine mods are.
Cheers

[Robbo_c]

Defiently get the insulators and spacers they are great.As for other mods I would go with some rockers i've got 1:9:1's and they are pretty good also a 69mm throttle body probably wouldn't hurt either and you can't tell just from looking at the engine that you have these.For prices just get on the Mace site.

[2DIE]

69mm TB isnt going to change anything unless you are going to run a turbo or SC, even then its restricted inside the plenum opening a to a even smaller size than the standard TB.

As for mods that will be useful for a N/A...

High ratio roller rockers (1:9:1)
12mm plenum spacer
25mm manifold spacer
2.5" cat back
Lukey or K&N air filter (I would go with Lukey myself)
MACE memcal (others on here are too hard to get hold of to make them)

And lastly probably some extractors, but I have seen a lot of people say you will lose bottom end and gain top end with extractors depending on the length. The longer the better.

[MACE]

Seanyy,

What everyone has said above is a good starting point. The only thing that I add that the larger throttle body does work well on a naturally aspirated car, and between the manifold and the throttle body, it’s definitely the greatest restriction between the two. We have to remember that NA engines have only atmospheric pressure to play with, so every bit of reduction in pressure drop would help. In saying this though I would recommend people consider a throttle body after they’ve installed a plenum spacer.

The note about the extractors is 100% true. Running longer length extractors would certainly help, however I don’t think that there are any off the shelf that would be long enough for my liking Definitely wouldn’t be any that are cast LOL which would be ideal as it would retain a lot more heat for better scavenging

Hope this helps,

Cheers,
Steve

[Seanyy]

Yeah thanks Steve, Robbo and 2Die, helped heaps.
Never contemplated the rockers option, but i'll have a look into it.

I know Robbo touched on this, but how obvious are the mods you guys have listed? Obviously low-end torque would be wicked to increase, but not at the expense of my license or money from fines.
Thanks again

[STL17]

Diff gears will make a difference

[2DIE]

Yeah thanks Steve, Robbo and 2Die, helped heaps.
Never contemplated the rockers option, but i'll have a look into it.

I know Robbo touched on this, but how obvious are the mods you guys have listed? Obviously low-end torque would be wicked to increase, but not at the expense of my license or money from fines.
Thanks again

Do you mean how obvious are they as in how easy to spot them? If so you will only see the manifold and plenum spacers if you have your engine cover off but Im not sure if they engine cover would fit on if you have both, thats a question for Steve. Apart from that and the exhaust you cant visibly see any of the mods.

If you mean how obvious are they in the way of acceleration, I fitted 1:9:1 rockers yesterday and they give a decent amount of pick up at low speed. It was a bit sluggish before but now I am quite happy with the bottom end, I will still be getting a few other things for a little bit more bottom end when my money permits it.

[Seanyy]

Ahhkay thanks 2Die, good info.
Im guessing the same applies to my VX Acclaim too? Being the same V6 Ecotec, Series II 3800.
How often would the cops take engine covers off on P-plated Commodores they pull over? If anyone knows haha.

[Robbo_c]

Cops will never take your engine cover off if they pull you over.If they are really concerned that you have mods on your car they will probably just pop the bonnet and have a visual inspection and that would be it.

[Seanyy]

Hmm my mate's car got a full inspection when he was at a house party and his VZ Calais was parked out the front.
He went out to grab some shit, and the coppers had it up on a jack and were looking underneath, as well as deep under the bonnet *AND* the engine cover he said..
:/
Maybe the copper was having a bad night? Or unlucky. Hope i never come across one of them...

[STL17]

Get some diffgears and rockers and even if they take the cover off you will still b sweet

[Seanyy]

Okay thanks everyone.
Now my head's a bit clearer .
So, when i get money, im going to go with new diff gears?, 12mm plenum spacer, 25mm mani insulator, 1:9:1's..
As well as a few other things, that most commo's end up with some point in their life.

And lastly probably some extractors, but I have seen a lot of people say you will lose bottom end and gain top end with extractors depending on the length. The longer the better.

How long are we talking about, mate?

[MACE]

If you want to keep your engine cover on there I would only recommend a 12mm spacer. You can raise the manifold by 25mm and still keep the engine cover on, however you'll have to modify the engine cover in particular around the alternator.

Hope this helps

Cheers,
Steve

[WogBoyz]

I drove around with it looking like this under the hood and had no trouble with the cops Black VS ute (first post, 4th pic or so down) had a fairly loud exhuast too for about 3yrs

[2DIE]

How long are we talking about, mate?

I couldn't tell you myself but I'm pretty sure delco said 30" long is a good start.

Something more like this COMMODORE VT-VY SERIES 1 HEADERS FOR V6 ECOTEC 3.8LT (eBay item 260724772503 end time 30-Jan-11 08:42:44 AEDST) : Cars, Bikes, Boats

Instead of this hlden v6 ecotec extractors & cat suit vt - vy commodore (eBay item 220728319572 end time 29-Jan-11 12:58:32 AEDST) : Cars, Bikes, Boats

[Seanyy]

Righto, that helped thanks 2Die.
And Steve, when you say modify the engine cover, would it simply be cutting a hole in it? Or is there another option to fit it over the raised manifold?

[MACE]

I drove around with it looking like this under the hood and had no trouble with the cops Black VS ute (first post, 4th pic or so down) had a fairly loud exhuast too for about 3yrs

She does look neat

I couldn't tell you myself but I'm pretty sure delco said 30" long is a good start.

Something more like this COMMODORE VT-VY SERIES 1 HEADERS FOR V6 ECOTEC 3.8LT (eBay item 260724772503 end time 30-Jan-11 08:42:44 AEDST) : Cars, Bikes, Boats

Instead of this hlden v6 ecotec extractors & cat suit vt - vy commodore (eBay item 220728319572 end time 29-Jan-11 12:58:32 AEDST) : Cars, Bikes, Boats

30" long is about right. I like those headers in the first link for many reasons

Righto, that helped thanks 2Die.
And Steve, when you say modify the engine cover, would it simply be cutting a hole in it? Or is there another option to fit it over the raised manifold?

You would have to cut off the section that covers the alternator. You may also need to trim the bonnet liner or remove it all together.

Cheers,
Steve

[Seanyy]

I'll have to have a think about it.
I was thinking about removing the engine cover altogether anyway. Or i might just trim it to size and respray it.
Thanks for everyone's help.

[WogBoyz]

She does look neat



30" long is about right. I like those headers in the first link for many reasons



You would have to cut off the section that covers the alternator. You may also need to trim the bonnet liner or remove it all together.

Cheers,
Steve

Yeah it wasnt bad lol i remember you put it in some street mag or something, i remember seeing it

[MACE]

I'll have to have a think about it.
I was thinking about removing the engine cover altogether anyway. Or i might just trim it to size and respray it.
Thanks for everyone's help.

Not a worry Seanny

Yeah it wasnt bad lol i remember you put it in some street mag or something, i remember seeing it

Yeah it was in Street Commodores in the performance build up/package section of the mag