I was doing the MREV mod on my 05 G35 http://www.motordyneengineering.com/G35.asp
and was tightening the new lower intake manifold collector (the part directly underneath the top plenum) to the manifold collector when I stripped...4-5 of the threads. I was using a torque wrench for the 1st time, and I think i missed the subtle click. Instead, I thought it was this really LOUD click, which in retrospect was really the metal threads of the manifold collector giving out. Am I totally screwed? Should I just have my car towed to the dealership and have them fix it? Am I going to have to have my whole engine replaced?? I feel horrible knowing that I probably ruined my engine tonight and that its all in pieces that can't be put together because the screws are now useless
I need help!!

 

dump it in a lake and report it stolen

heh, sorry, I wish i could help you, but i feel your pain... take all the MREV **** off and have it towed to the stealership. make up some story about a mechanic inspecting your vehicle, you'll prolly end up paying for parts/labor, but at least they wont blame you directly...

 

Did you not use a INCH LB torque wrench like the instructions say to do? Most people own Foot LB ones, not inch lb ones. Big difference.

 

Yup. 12x the force.

 

I used an INCH-lb one-trust me!! and I DID read the instructions The problem is, I had never used one before and so i didnt notice the tiny click and give. Instead, I kept going and heard a LOUD click, and I was convinced that was it. So I stripped ALL of them! Any estimates on what this is going to cost me? Is there any simple solution...or semi reasonable solution to fixing my car? I havent heard a reality check yet on this.

 

There have been a few people with this problem, I was probably the first. I had that problem early last year. There's thought that Nissan has had different qualities in their casting procedures. Many people are using the correct torque wrench, but still ended up stripping the threads.

You can try some timeserts or helicoils. Those stripped out the threads surrounding on them on my intake manifold, so eventually I had to run steel bolts from the bottom up, and then just use a nut to secure things. It was a pain to do for the intake manifold (not the lower plenum), but it does work, and will save you a few hundred.

 

It can't be emphasized enough, but everyone should always be very careful when tightening bolts into Aluminum. Especially when tightening small bolts like the ones used in the plenum assembly. Its not like bolts tightening into steel. Aluminum is soft and easy to break or strip. If they do, you can use a tap to tap in new threads.

The bolts you refer to are metric M6 bolts of 0.236" diameter. You can go to Home Depot and buy a 1/4" (0.25") tap and re-tap the bolt holes.

Use a fine thread tap. Also get 1/4" bolts from Home Depot of the same fine thread pitch as the tap and also the same length as the original bolts. Do this and its an easy fix.

This really is a easy fix but if you feel uncomfortable doing it, have a friend or mechanic help. Call me with any questions during the process. I'll help you through it.

Tony

 

When hand tapping your new 1/4" threads, as a precautionary matter . . . Be sure to turn that tap straight and plumb and after a few turns of the tap . . . Be sure to back the said out to remove any tap shavings, which may have collected and the continue and repeat the process until the desired depth is reached. Good luck!

 

The standard tap is probably easier, but if you're worried about keeping it stock metric, HeliCoil is your friend. I've found them at the local PepBoys.

Curt

 

is there a shop in az with experience installing the MREV mod? I've been thinking of purchasing this, but I'd like someone who has done it before to do it for me...

 

i actually broke the bolts. same problem had an inch/lb torque wrench but listened for the loud click which actually broke the bolts. and stripped the holes. part of the bolts were stuck in the manifold. to make a long story short. i took it to a broken bolt shop and they had to re-do all the holes. They said it would be stronger than before because of what they used. (completely forgot what it was? stronger metal coils or something). If you live in Southern California i can refer u.

 

OMFG... that's why i don't want to do this myself. i'd rather pay someone (zcargarage? ) $100 to do it.

 

its not the hardest thing to do if you read and reread the instructions before you start...ive installed and deinstalled my crawford and then the spacer in less than 45 mins...

 

Like I said before, HeliCoil (the metal coils nbp78415 is talking about), or any other similar product, can be your friend!

Curt

 

Ewwwww, a 1/4-28 under the hood? :O