Ecotec mods quick question

[Seanyy]

Hey Steve (and whoever else wants to chip in),

Im looking at a few small power mods (not a ricer or anything, just want a bit more low-mid-end torque).

I've spoken to you recently and you recommended:
12mm PS
25mm MI
And a mate said that a larger throttle body would help out too.

Could you please give (even a VERY) approximate guess as to what the power gain/any other benefits would be?

Im getting extractors soonish too, and also thinking of 1:9:1 RRers, a CAI, air intake ported mouth mod, a memcal chip (maybe). Maybe a lower diff ratio?
Im more interested in the plenum spacer, manifold insulator and throttle body benefits though,
Cheers mate

[MACE]

Hey Seanyy,

In regards to gains, expect them to be over 15% down low with that combination

For more of an insight as to how they work under real world conditions check out the links below

manifold spacer on ecotec -- WOW
MACE Manifold Insulator & Plenum Spacer Review

Throttle body will certainly help out with additional 3-5rwkw gains with improved driveability and responsiveness

I would not worry about extrators until one of your very last mods, pretty much once you've done everything. If you're after a tune, best to PM Dr Bob on this forum, as we don't have anything to suit at the moment.

If you have any more questions please don't hesitate to ask.

Cheers,
Steve

[Seanyy]

Sounds like one extremely happy customer haha.
For an Ecotec, which would you recommend out of the 12mm and 25mm manifold insulator?
Whats the difference between them? (Other than size, obviously!)
If i get a 25mm manifold insulator, do i need a 25mm plenum spacer too?

EDIT: I was told extractors add (even a minuscule amount) of power, but the main reason i was looking at getting them was for the improved exhaust sound. Is there a reason why i shouldnt get them, or is it just that i should do it later?

[MACE]

Sounds like one extremely happy customer haha.
For an Ecotec, which would you recommend out of the 12mm and 25mm manifold insulator?
Whats the difference between them? (Other than size, obviously!)
If i get a 25mm manifold insulator, do i need a 25mm plenum spacer too?

EDIT: I was told extractors add (even a minuscule amount) of power, but the main reason i was looking at getting them was for the improved exhaust sound. Is there a reason why i shouldnt get them, or is it just that i should do it later?

Ideally I would recommend a 25mm manifold insulator. The main difference is that the 25mm items further brings down in RPM the “sweet spot” of the inlet manifold, whilst offering additional cooling. If you go either a 12 or a 25mm manifold insulator I would go a 12mm plenum spacer.

In regards to the extractors I would personally do them as one of the last mods.

If you have any more questions please don’t hesitate to ask.

Cheers,
Steve

[Seanyy]

Yeah wicked thanks for the advice Steve,
Do you have a pricing list somewhere?
12mm PS and 25mm MI now near the top of the list, after reading a few reviews/feeback

EDIT: Ignore the pricing list enquiry, checked out your website.

[MACE]

Not a worry Seanyy,

If you decide you want a number of items at once we may be able to do a better price

Cheers,
Steve

[Seanyy]

Yeah no worries, i probably will end up buying items seperately due to normal 18 year old finance constrictions, haha

I was just reading up the recent feedback for a MACE Tuning Kit for a VE V6, do you offer them for VX too?
If you do, what power gains can be expected (again, just approximate) and how much will that set me back?

[klampy]

sorry to hijack, but a question regarding the manifold insulator, instead of fitting a lid spacer, could you go with one 12mm and one 24mm spacer for a combined 36mm longer runners? would that have any benefit in a tow car application? (VS eco wagon)??

[Seanyy]

The plenum spacer only comes in 12mm and 25mm i think klampy, but dont hold me to it.
And i doubt that it would have much benefit in a towing situation as the average rpm when you're towing (depending whats attached) is mid-range, these mods are more for low-range.
But Steve and his helpfulness will tell you everything you could care to know

[klampy]

The plenum spacer only comes in 12mm and 25mm i think klampy, but dont hold me to it.
And i doubt that it would have much benefit in a towing situation as the average rpm when you're towing (depending whats attached) is mid-range, these mods are more for low-range.
But Steve and his helpfulness will tell you everything you could care to know

well low range is a very important part IMO, because an ecotec needs a helping hand of torque to get off the mark pulling twice its own weight. and cruising at 100kms its idling along just under 2000rpm.

if im wrong id love some light to be shed on this matter as im still highly considering FI but at this point in the dailys build i have no budget for it, its on hold.

[MACE]

Yeah no worries, i probably will end up buying items seperately due to normal 18 year old finance constrictions, haha

I was just reading up the recent feedback for a MACE Tuning Kit for a VE V6, do you offer them for VX too?
If you do, what power gains can be expected (again, just approximate) and how much will that set me back?

Don’t have anything to suit the VX-VY’s at the moment sorry

sorry to hijack, but a question regarding the manifold insulator, instead of fitting a lid spacer, could you go with one 12mm and one 24mm spacer for a combined 36mm longer runners? would that have any benefit in a tow car application? (VS eco wagon)??

In regards to running this combo of spacers, I’ve never tried it my self based on what you’re after though I’m guessing it would work well.

Cheers,
Steve

[klampy]

In regards to running this combo of spacers, I’ve never tried it my self based on what you’re after though I’m guessing it would work well.

Cheers,
Steve

cool. good to know. i might still stick with the ecotec .

on a slightly different topic, if i were to run an M90 but side mount +intercooled, would that work well together with the 36mm spaced runners? (keeping in mind the intention of a daily driven tow vehicle.)

[MACE]

It would work quite well indeed, however lack of space will be a problem, I'm guessing

Otherwise it would to very well to say the least

[klampy]

things to think about then. thanks, and sorry again for hijacking

[D3CID3R]

Mace 12mm plenum spacers are the way to go

[klampy]

so whats the go with superchargers then? The M90 normally sits on the valley with a tiny little plenum under it. if i were to put an M90 on my VS id modify the Plenum so that the charger actually mounted to where the TB would otherwise go, so by extending a section of plenum im increasing its capacity anyway. but back to the question, do superchargers prefer a small plenum or is that just a packaging constraint only?

[MACE]

things to think about then. thanks, and sorry again for hijacking

Not a worry

Mace 12mm plenum spacers are the way to go

If you’re not running boost on a factory tune definitely

so whats the go with superchargers then? The M90 normally sits on the valley with a tiny little plenum under it. if i were to put an M90 on my VS id modify the Plenum so that the charger actually mounted to where the TB would otherwise go, so by extending a section of plenum im increasing its capacity anyway. but back to the question, do superchargers prefer a small plenum or is that just a packaging constraint only?

That could work. Larger plenum would be better, however packing is normally an issue with a roots/screw compressor.

Cheers,
Steve