I got the spacer installed a couple of days ago and I noticed a nice difference. It's been only 2 days since the install and last night when I drove home it seemed like I lost power and like I have a lot less growl. I don't think it was too cold for the need to open the iso thermal control valve, it was roughly in the mid 60's. The only thing different from driving it a few hours prior was putting aftermarket rims in the trunk and the back seat for transportation.

This morning I took out the rims that I was transporting and drove the vehicle and the same thing occured. I'm not sure if I lost power, but it seems like I may have and it is MUCH less quiet than before. It just doesn't sound the same. I used to hear a nice growl at around 1 - 4 thousand RPM but it's quite faint now, even with the mods listed in my sig. At 4 - 5.5k RPM it's still pretty loud, but it seems to have the same issue as well, but as much.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks

 

I thought it could be that I got used to it, but it is very noticeable. I had my cousin who was in the vehicle before the issue and after the issue also notice the difference. How can I check for leaks? Any specific target areas?

 

I've been taking a better listen and it seems that loudness that was coming from the engine, perhaps the intake is not as defined as it used to be, faint I guess would be the proper term. I primarily hear the exhaust and I'm not sure if that seems a little low in volume as well or it's because I was used to the z tube and pop charger.

 

Easy way to check for leaks is to get a can of starter fluid and, while the car is running, spray a little around the spacer. If the engine races, then you've found your leak.

 

With late model cars, especially ones with MAF sensors, the car will run like absolute crap if any unmetered air is getting in. You'd know if there was a problem.

I suggest driving for around for another week because it does take time for the ECU to adjust (usually about 40 starts). I also suggest yanking the intake as adding a spacer with an intake can result in some pretty lean conditions. Also, that intake ain't doing squat for you performance. I think you'd be surprised at just how stronger the car will feel with the stock airbox. Swap it for a couple days and see if you like it.

 

Thanks for the tip.

I got the intake more for the sound rather than performance.

I've been trying to pay closer attention to it and I may have been wrong when I said it was the intake. I don't hear the exhaust as much. I saw my gf today and she even noticed a change..i know something is up when she realizes a change. I have no lights that come up on the dash and the car seems to drive fine. I'm going to have it checked out this weekend so hopefully the issue can be resolved.

 

It seems like the exhaust isn't as loud, but maybe it's just me, then again my passengers think the vehicle isn't as loud. Is it possible that the HKS muffler I have is broken in? I've had it for a few weeks now and bought it new. It's not as loud on startup either I've noticed. I did have the vehicle checked and everything was fine.

 

I don't have a torque wrench I had a forum member install the spacer.