This may seem like a dumb question, but I was thinking back about getting my spacer installed and for some reason never asked this question. I got a MD copper iso thermal spacer installed at a mechanic and when I got my car back, he had left out the kind of foam looking gasket cover? as shown in this picture. I think I asked him if this was needed and I think they replied that they just used the one that was already there.

I was just wondering if it is okay that they didnt end up using it and that it will all still work the same?

Any advice would be great!

Grant

 

Also its been soo long since I even installed it that I cant even be sure that it was the copper iso thermal spacer or just the iso thermal spacer... Would there be a way to tell the difference just by looking at it?

 

Which part in the picture are you talking about?

 

What you have pictured is the iso-thermal kit. If you have the copper kit installed, there would be a nice piece of copper right between your throttle body and upper plenum (follow the intake tube all the way to the back of the engine bay).

I don't remember there being any extra "foam" pieces when I installed mine, but I think I had an extra gasket.

 

Hopefully they didn't leave out the aramid gasket, or the spacer itself lol.

 

That gasket with 6 holes is the aramid gasket that goes under the lower plenum to reduce heat soak from coming up via the intake collector.

Copper part is a copper gasket that goes between the plenum and the throttle body, you should be able to remove engine cover and see if its installed.

 

Indeed. That was the only piece that looked like foam to me...

 

The piece that they did not install is the dark gray six holed thing in the picture. What I'm assuming is the aramid gasket. Did my car already have one making it not necessary for the mechanic not to install it? Or did they just mess up? I think I remember them saying they just used the one that was there. I probably should have been asking this when I got it installed not a year after.. Ha

 

That aramid gasket is the difference between the basic kit and the iso thermal kit, it helps with the cooling. I'm guessing the mechanic was just too lazy to take off the lower plenum. If he wouldve gone through the trouble of removing it, he might as well have had replaced the stock gasket with the aramid gasket lol. While it isn't necessary to change that gasket, it's the whole point of that kit and why you pay extra for it.

 

Well everyone says get the copper one if you live where it snows and I'm pretty sure that's what I bought. But I have been living in Miami till next year where I'm going back to where it does snow. Would i need to get the aramid gasket put on before my car sees snow or will it be enough that I just have the copper put in?

 

^that's entirely different, it installs at the throttle body.

The other 'aramid' gasket goes under the intake manifold & is the whole point of the iso kit.
Your mechanic screwed up, plan & simple.

 

Greattt, so now I'm gonna have to pay someone else to have it get installed.. Any idea how much someone would charge for it?

 

^^^ its a pretty easy install... MD website has a DIY video - or I'm sure if you find a forum member that is local they'd help you lout... a 6 pack or lunch is about how much it should cost.

I wouldn't worry too much about it though... or stress about getting it installed. It is a good option to have - but honestly, you aren't going to tell a difference when you drive it...

 

Yea, i'll look for someone around Miami who would be interested. Thats what I'm asking though, if its a big deal if I dont have it on. Just cause everyone says that you should get the copper if you'll be around snow, and I will be. So I was just making sure that the aramid gasket wasnt an integral part of that decision.

 

As long as you have the copper kit installed at the throttle body, you should be fine. Seeing as how you'll be in the snow, I don't think you'll need the aramid gasket for cooling lol. I'd double check your throttle body just to make sure everythings installed, seeing as how your mechanic didn't do a good job the first time. Don't want your throttle body freezing up now.