How to install GSM Phenolic Spacers

[rjkusse]

Mod:
Install GSM Phenolic Spacers

Time:
30 - 90 minutes

Skill Level:
Easy - Medium

Tools Required:
-10MM for intake bolts
-RTV (if your kit doesn't come with all new gaskets)
-Fuel line release wrench
-Torque Wrench (in/lbs)

I thought I would post some pictures of one of this weekends installs. I added the GSM Phenolic Spacers along with installing the Police option HD Oil Cooler kit.

So here are some pictures of the disassembly and install.


Step 1: VERY IMPORTANT: Make sure you remove the pressure from the fuel system. To do this remove fuse 6 from the rear fuse box and start the car, if it will. This is the fuel pump relay and removing it will prevent any gas from being pumped into the injector rails. Once the car will no longer run, go ahead and do the usual, disconnect the negative cable.

Step 2: Remove the engine covers, the air intake and disconnect all sensors attached to the intake: MAF, MAP, IAT, etc.




Don't forget to remove the bolt off of this one.







You also need to remove the power brake vacuum hose which is at the back of the intake. I found it easier to remove it from the check valve on the brake booster instead.

Step 3: unplug all the fuel injectors and disconnect the fuel line from the fuel injection rails.





Step 4: remove the intake bolts stating with the outer ones moving toward the center in a criss-cross fashion. Then remove the intake. When you flip it upside down, the injector rails will have gas in them, so you may want to drain it before taking it to your work space. I didn't . Place the intake upside down on a clean work space.



Notice my brake vacuum line is still attached. When I took my intake out, some of the stock gasket material was ripped. Since I didn't want to have this sucked into the motor, I cut them off.



I already have 2 new sets of intake gaskets on order.

Step 5: clean the surfaces on the engine where the intake mounts.



Step 6: cut the black plastic buttons that hold on the original intake gaskets. My spacers came with new, longer ones.



Step 7: wipe down the intake



Step 8: using some RTV, I traced around where the old gasket sat to seal the spacer to the intake.



Step 9: Place the spacer on and then place the original intake gasket on top of the spacer and hold everythin in place with the new black plastic push pins.



Step 10: Reinstall the intake and torque accordingly. My kits came with a new set of longer intake bolts.





Step 11: Enjoy the benefits.

Anyways, while you have the air intake out, now is a good time to install your stealth bulbs.

[alex3dworld]

Nice pictures!!!
great job.
now you have it what are the benefits, do you really notice any drop in the temperatures?

[SilvaSurfer]

Very nice write up, and the pics are of awesome quality....

[blacksleeper]

What do these spacers do?

[STAGE 3 R/T]

Wow great write up!

[Super T]

What do these spacers do?

Helps keep the temperature of the intake manifold lower, ergo keeping the temperature of the air entering the cylinder lower, ergo making more power. Search for a thread by Cam where some testing was conducted... there's another player about to step onto this field.

[ChargerFever]

Nice write up! What kind of power gains will this provide?

[69rrbruce]

Great pictures! How thick are the spacers and will they work on a 5.7 manifold?

[thewagon]

The spacers are motor specific.

5.7l uses a specific spacer
6.1l uses another specific spacer

The two cannot be swapped with eachother.


I've got a 5.7l set that I've yet to install.

Great pictures! How thick are the spacers and will they work on a 5.7 manifold?

[69rrbruce]

Thanks.....how thick are they?

[thewagon]

.242 in thick

Thanks.....how thick are they?

[AIRWOLF]

Can you tell me what this is for?

T/Y

[1FST4DR]

Can you tell me what this is for?

T/Y

Well the thread is 3 yrs old and the company in question is out of business,But besides leaking oil everywhere.They were supposed to keep the intake cool..