I just noticed this today while I was installing my plenum. I was looking at the inner lining of my chrome UT Z-tube and noticed that the inside walls were chipping off. Sorry about the orange dot in one of the pics...i did that on accident when I was sizing down the pics. Good thing I saved my old z-tube, so just a heads up for those who have it or about to order it

 

Oh wow.... looks like a lot of gunk can get sucked into the runners.

 

Man that doesn't look too good. The problem is , how far did the little pieces of plating go into your engine? I would be a bit concerned if that tube was left on the engine and it continued to lose it's coating into the plenum.

 

In the pics you posted, what is the airflow path? Front to back?

Maybe it has something to do with the inlet tube on the bottom, maybe something doesn't interact well with the inside of the chrome z-tube???

 

That is so scary! Your poor engine having those metal flakes (chrome paint?) sucked in with no filter in between...eeek!

 

most of the patches are at the bend closest to the TB.

 

did you contact UT about this and see what they have to say? I would wager if this happened to yours it happens to others... i smell a recall coming...

 

This is what UT told me....



Thank you for contacting us regarding your Chrome Z tube. We advise
that you contact us first
regarding any questions you may have with our products.

What you are seeing is the remnants removed from the chroming process.
The inner part of the tube has been sanded, smoothed and cleaned out to
ensure proper airflow.
Also, the tubes are thoroughly inspected and pass QC prior to shipment.
If you inpected the tube when you first received it, you would have
noticed this before.
Therefore, all our chrome tubes are inherent of this.
Please rest assure that the tube is NOT faulty.
We offer the highest quality products to our customers.

Thanks
Unlimited Tuning


Tele: 347-993-3469
Fax: 212-202-3640

 

Does anything flake off when you scratch at it with your fingernail?

 

yeah, I replied back to UT saying that I can scratch at it and flakes will come off.

 

damn...that sux man, im glad i kept my Z tube, i almost updated to the UT just for looks...thank god i didnt!!

 

yeah seriously....good thing i didn't sell my z-tube...

 

Thats insane.... If UT can stand behind a product saying chrome flake going into the engine ISNT faulty, they better stop making **** for the G. I dont wanna see any blown engines from silly ricer (chroming your intake tube) moves with friggen flake paint. If anyone from UT is reading this post.... get your act together, thats not even a slightly funny mistake.

 

Spooky...I had a similar problem with a chromed cold-air intake on a different make of car. It was a low-hanging intake (think Injen) that would occasionally trap moisture. In the bend of the tube where the chrome had been removed I started to notice RUST !!!

I hope this is not applicable to your z-tube. Good luck.

 

Time to leave the proper "trader rating"