Mace manifold spacer ... ( VZ V6 )

[MattK]

Wow , what an ordeal !
Since I was changing spark plugs , I figured why not put on a Mace Spacer ( 12mm ) .
Changing plugs is fun like a barrel full of monkeys ( Yeah , not fun at all )

To the spacer :

My VZ has these little locator pins , and they didn't want to come out ...
And the Mace spacer has no holes for the locator pins :

So I had to drill some , Im just glad the gaskets were intact when the manifold came off so I could use them as a hole guide .
I made the guide holes a little oversize so I had some wiggle room .

Unfortunately the holes marked 1 and 2 did not really align well .. About 2-3mm to far forward .
So the 4 big bolts in the middle of the manifold went in fine , but the single bolt at each end ( small bolts ) , they didnt want to go in ..
Back to square one :
I enlarged holes 1 and 2 a fair bit and elongated them back toward the spacer ( 4 big bolts ) , this time I did a lot of test fitting .
Once I was happy with the test fitting , I assembled for the 2nd time ..

This time things went well , and it went together reasonably easy .
Just waiting for the blue stuff to cure ( 24hours )

What a day !
I sure hope the car still runs ..:rofl2:


My advice to anyone :

If you are doing it to a VZ , change your spark plugs at the same time ( Why not )
Test fit the spacer , put the bolts in , dont use the blue stuff yet .
Only if it test fits ok , then move onto doing a permanent fit !

 

[MACE]

Hi Matt,

My sincere apologies for the challenges you faced.

I am also very grateful for your constructive feedback.

Given we value your time, if you can email us or submit a ticket (as shown in the link below) your order details and a link to this thread you will be looked after.

http://support.maceengineering.com.au/Tickets/Submit

Best Regards,
Steve

 

[ozNick]

Appreciate your write up.
Was it a 12mm or 25mm spacer?
Please post your post install experiences.

 

[MattK]

12mm

Appreciate your write up.
Was it a 12mm or 25mm spacer?
Please post your post install experiences.

I was thinking about the 25mm , but decided on the 12mm ...
I was thinking I might be able to put the engine covers back on with the 12mm spacer ..

The passenger side cover went on very nicely , but on the driver side , the front right mount for the cover will not hold properly ..
The rear most mount is fine , I will take a better look Saturday and see if I can get the right front mount sorted out ...
( Driver side engine cover )

Post ( Yes Im very interested myself )

 

[commodore665]

I was thinking about the 25mm , but decided on the 12mm ...
I was thinking I might be able to put the engine covers back on with the 12mm spacer ..

The passenger side cover went on very nicely , but on the driver side , the front right mount for the cover will not hold properly ..
The rear most mount is fine , I will take a better look Saturday and see if I can get the right front mount sorted out ...
( Driver side engine cover )

Post ( Yes Im very interested myself )

the engine covers don't fit at all with the 25mm insulators , I've got them on my SV6 , but I'm (still) working on a solution to have them fit , they're a good modification though I'm sure you'll be happy .I'm sure mine came with the holes for the pins though .

 

[MattK]

Hmmm

the engine covers don't fit at all with the 25mm insulators , I've got them on my SV6 , but I'm (still) working on a solution to have them fit , they're a good modification though I'm sure you'll be happy .I'm sure mine came with the holes for the pins though .

Some of the mounts for the engine cover are on the manifold , so need to do nothing there ..
The other mounting points would need to be raised , or the mounting points in the cover lowered ..
I tried to lower the front right rubber , but it was not enough .. ( only a few mm - would need 12mm )
Would only need to be firm enough to stop the cover flapping about whilst driving ..
Writing this an idea has sprung to mind ..

 

[ozNick]

I took my covers off ages ago.
As far as I am concerned they trap heat and dust, and serve no other purpose than to make the engine look noice.

BTW you had better change your signature as it ain't 100% stock anymore!

 

[MattK]

I took my covers off ages ago.
As far as I am concerned they trap heat and dust, and serve no other purpose than to make the engine look noice.

BTW you had better change your signature as it ain't 100% stock anymore!

I agree 100% , no real purpose other than looks ..
Sig changed !

 

[commodore665]

I took my covers off ages ago.
As far as I am concerned they trap heat and dust, and serve no other purpose than to make the engine look noice.

BTW you had better change your signature as it ain't 100% stock anymore!

Looks like he just did , now 99.9 % stock .

 

[MattK]

Hmmmm

Looks like he just did , now 99.9 % stock .

I dont think the insulator/spacer is a big mod ( hotting up a car - in fact its supposed to cool it )
I went for a short drive , and ??
Yeah I dont really feel anything different , engine is a lot smoother but I think the new laser platinum plugs are responsible for that .
I look forward to filling the tank , and then seeing what happens to the mileage ...
Was about 15/100 doing lots of short trips , no freeways or long stretches at all ..
Just driving through the local suburbs - local roads/streets so mostly stop start stuff and nothing over 2k without a light ...
I will be happy to see a improvement ( how much would be the fresh plugs ? )
So unfortunately no scientific - verifiable - proper testing results ...
Manifold temp :
With the car stationary for about 20 minutes , there is a slightly cooler manifold ..
Before it would be warm enough not to be able to hold your hand on it for more than 5 seconds without serious discomfort , now you can keep your hand on it , its still very warm but not quite as warm as before ..
Well , for me , it will be make or break on fuel consumption ..