Fordnatics List Archive

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Mail From: (email redacted)

During a recent visit to a local speed shop I inquired about phenolic
spacers. The "expert" behind the counter asked if I really wanted one
since it would increase my intake manifold runner length (5.0 engine) and
therefor RAISE the torque curve.

First of all, would a 1/2" phenolic spacer really make any difference in
the torque curve and second, if anything, wouldn't it lower it by
lengthening the runner length?

Any opinions on these spacers? I'm only considering them to keep the
manifold a little cooler at the track and make icing the intake a little
more effective.

TODD

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Mail From: chucko (Chuck Fry)

From: (email redacted)
Date: Wed, 7 Dec 1994 15:58:13 -0500 (EST)

During a recent visit to a local speed shop I inquired about phenolic
spacers. The "expert" behind the counter asked if I really wanted one
since it would increase my intake manifold runner length (5.0 engine) and
therefor RAISE the torque curve.

This sounds backwards. IF it had any effect at all, I'd think the spacer
would bring the torque peak down. Chances are good the effect is
negligible.

Any opinions on these spacers? I'm only considering them to keep the
manifold a little cooler at the track and make icing the intake a little
more effective.

In that application, they may very well help. But you'd want to get a
spacer that blocks off the EGR passage, or your icing will be for
naught. I wouldn't recommend this for street use, as it will hurt
part-throttle driveability -- the EGR is well and truly integrated into
the EEC-IV's calibration. But for strip use, or any other WOT-only
application, it should work just fine.

For most of us, these spacers are only useful to raise the upper intake,
so you can get the valve covers off easily without removing it.
-- Chuck

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Mail From: Roger Hupfauer <(email redacted)>


>From (email redacted) Wed Dec 7 14:05 PST 1994
>
>Any opinions on these spacers? I'm only considering them to keep the
>manifold a little cooler at the track and make icing the intake a little
>more effective.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

If this is your only reason, then IMHO don't waste the money. I used
one on my '90 LX 5.0 and didn't notice one bit of difference in the car
(and the intake got just as hot as it always did). YMMV.

Roger

>
>TODD
>

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Mail From: (email redacted) (Dave Williams)


-> since it would increase my intake manifold runner length (5.0 engine)
-> and therefor RAISE the torque curve.

Theoretically it would lower the peak torque RPM. In practice, I doubt
if even a dyno could pick up a difference with a half inch spacer.


-> Any opinions on these spacers? I'm only considering them to keep the
-> manifold a little cooler at the track

What about the water heated doodad up at the plenum?