Does anyone know the affect of the Motordyne (or any other) 5/16" plenum spacer on horespower, torque, and ECU on a stock G35 coupe with VQ35 (DE) engine (automatic)?

One thing I'm particularly curious about is the affect of the spacer on the performance via the ECU's stock settings versus tuning the ECU after spacer installation. Will an ECU reset make a difference?

I understand the REVUP engines of the '05 - '06 6MT do not benefit much from the plenum spacers but I'd love to hear if any 2003 - 2004 automatic drivers out there have any first hand experience with plenum spacers on their non-REVUP power plants. Thanks guys.

 

The ECU reset does make a difference. Since you are a non REV UP you do not need to order the MREV2 so just the spacer will give you the gains. As long as you do not have too many other intake mods it should help a lot, around 6 or 7 to the wheels. enjoy!

 

5/16 will increase your hp, tq, and should not affect your ECU. ECU reset will just help the car to learn the mod faster. But you dont need a tune or reset if that helps.

 

I have a 2004 auto with the MD 5/16 iso thermal spacer. Wish I would have saved all the money I spent for performance and bought some nice rims. You won't notice much at all.

 

Did u reset your ecu??

 

Of course. I had all the bolt ons at one point and it was nothing noticeable like people claim. With just a plenum spacer, your looking at a 3% hp/tq gain. If you can actually feel that, you are very sensitive. I'd say most people just think they feel a power boost from their butt dyno.

 

When Tony at MotorDyne came out with the spacers that was/is one of the best first mods you can make for our first gen G35s. If you don't notice a difference, "Your doing it wrong!" Install takes about an hour, instructions tell you to remove the negative side of the battery...believe it. Everything needed to complete this install comes in the package, you'll be very glad you did!
Gary

 

Your doing what wrong, exactly? Lol I think butt dynos are messing with people's heads too much.

 

I'm wondering if people are just feeling it more because they are resetting the ecu so it makes it feel like its more than it is..

 

I think people feel what they want to feel.

 

^This- to a point.

Here is a link to a VERY valuable thread when it comes to NA intake mods. HERE

Don't get me wrong guys- I was all bolt on too with the Stillen intake, KN cone filter, Z tube, 5/16ths spacer, Still HFC and catback exhaust... and with a COBB tune I think I put 224 to the ground and 214tq.

Keep in mind I was in central alberta so altitude was playing a factor. Regardless, all those mods with a tune scratched a very tough surface.

And I'm the last one to say that supporting mods are a bad idea... While they may not have a significant impact on performance, they have a rambunctious impact on the exhaust note. It sounds downright hostile. Those of you "more bark than bight" types will be pleased. The Function > Form types may be left wanting.

If you want something in your AT that will undoubtedly change your driving experience I HIGHLY recommend the transgo valvebody upgrade. It won't "increase" numbers per se but it adds a rugged awesomeness to more aggressive driving- that you can UNDENIABLY feel.

Admittedly, 250 to purchase so VERY affordable... but quite a bit more to install (5-700).

Unquestionably the best mod I ever did on my AT pre FI.

 

Thanks everyone for the responses. To confirm, the ECU does not need to be reset as it will automatically learn the mod change for itself? Will the 5/16" spacer really make the exhaust sound more aggressive? That would be killer to get a little more sound punch.

By the way guys, I'm new to the forum. As an introduction, I picked up an '03 Carribean Blue coupe VQ35DE AT a year ago and love it as much as I did the first time I saw it. When I picked her up, she was bone stock except for the upgraded 19" OEM Rays forged alloy wheels. I haven't done a thing to it yet except for new OEM NGK spark plugs and the Alutec (Circuit Sports) strut bar, which I haven't put on yet since I'm thinking about doing the plenum spacer first. I'll post photos soon.

 

The spacer alone... maybe a little bit. But most people add the spacer with other breather mods like the (example) stillen High Flow w/ KN and a Z tube. These are EXTREMELY easy to install and quite often some of the first mods people do for a little oomph. Make sure you shop for said items in the marketplace FIRST... they are quite expensive brand new (by comparisson) and are frequently available from guys upgrading to newer tech and changing their overall plans.

Most guys- well... Many guys will go through the ECU reset procedure at least once a month. Many do it quite a bit more than that... Some will do it every week- others at least a couple times a month. Especially if they have a device like a Cipher or COBB that can do it automatically.

MD (who makes the spacer you're talking about) recommends an ECU reset with the spacer. Yes we do have something of an adaptable ECU but it takes what it already knows and merges it with what it learns. Best to just start from scratch to ensure you get the most out of the mod.