Mud flapes?/Power plates
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Mud flapes?/Power plates
I bought my z about 3 years ago and it had mud flaps front and back. I never thought too much about them until I was looking at some pics and not too many people have them. What's your opinion? I'm thinking about taking them off?
I also have a question about so called power plates or plenum spacers. I never noticed but my plenum gaskets look huge compared to anything I've seen pictured. What are they? Is there a benefit? Should I take these off also?
Thanks for any input or suggestions.
Steve
I also have a question about so called power plates or plenum spacers. I never noticed but my plenum gaskets look huge compared to anything I've seen pictured. What are they? Is there a benefit? Should I take these off also?
Thanks for any input or suggestions.
Steve
Last edited by ABBEZR1; 04-08-2014 at 09:03 PM.
#2
Instructor
I bought my z about 3 years ago and it had mud flapes front and back. I never thought too much about them until I was looking at some pics and not too many people have them. What's your opinion? I'm thinking about taking them off?
I also have a question about so called power plates or plenum spacers. I never noticed but my plenum gaskets look huge compared to anythingIi've seen pictured. What are they? Is there a benefit? Should I take these off also?
Thanks for any input or suggestions.
Steve
I also have a question about so called power plates or plenum spacers. I never noticed but my plenum gaskets look huge compared to anythingIi've seen pictured. What are they? Is there a benefit? Should I take these off also?
Thanks for any input or suggestions.
Steve
#3
Melting Slicks
I have them on mine. They are really not that noticeable. They are black and fold backwards towards the rear about halfway down the flap. Think I got them from Ecklers. I don't have any road rash on my rockers, and don't want any!
Jim
Jim
#4
Burning Brakes
Power plates are phenolic spacers sold during the 90s. Claim was that by separating the plenum from the injector housing w/ phenolic plate, heat transfer would be interupted to the plenum keeping the intake air cooler. What the actual intake air temp drop would be, I do not know.
#5
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Power plates are phenolic spacers sold during the 90s. Claim was that by separating the plenum from the injector housing w/ phenolic plate, heat transfer would be interupted to the plenum keeping the intake air cooler. What the actual intake air temp drop would be, I do not know.
Thanks, Steve
#6
NCM Lifetime # 982
Any one that want's to sell the molded mud flaps PM me with a price.
#7
Racer
Those mud flaps are protecting the paint on your rocker panels. I personally can't stand mud flaps on anything but a truck, and don't have any on my car. Therefore, the paint on my rockers has suffered.
I've had the phenolic plenum spacers on my LT5 for many years. The only down side to them is that they decrease plenum clearance with the hood.
On my car, the quarter inch plenum spacer lifted the plenum enough that the throttle bracket caused a scrape on the black underhood paint. This doesn't happen on all ZR-1's. So, if you don't have that problem, you're o.k.
The theory of the spacers is to interrupt the heat sink that goes to the plenum from the heads, keeping it cooler. Cooler intake, more oxygen, more performance. The theory sounds good, but there has never been any real testing that showed any performance gain.
I've had the phenolic plenum spacers on my LT5 for many years. The only down side to them is that they decrease plenum clearance with the hood.
On my car, the quarter inch plenum spacer lifted the plenum enough that the throttle bracket caused a scrape on the black underhood paint. This doesn't happen on all ZR-1's. So, if you don't have that problem, you're o.k.
The theory of the spacers is to interrupt the heat sink that goes to the plenum from the heads, keeping it cooler. Cooler intake, more oxygen, more performance. The theory sounds good, but there has never been any real testing that showed any performance gain.
#8
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Those mud flaps are protecting the paint on your rocker panels. I personally can't stand mud flaps on anything but a truck, and don't have any on my car. Therefore, the paint on my rockers has suffered.
I've had the phenolic plenum spacers on my LT5 for many years. The only down side to them is that they decrease plenum clearance with the hood.
On my car, the quarter inch plenum spacer lifted the plenum enough that the throttle bracket caused a scrape on the black underhood paint. This doesn't happen on all ZR-1's. So, if you don't have that problem, you're o.k.
The theory of the spacers is to interrupt the heat sink that goes to the plenum from the heads, keeping it cooler. Cooler intake, more oxygen, more performance. The theory sounds good, but there has never been any real testing that showed any performance gain.
I've had the phenolic plenum spacers on my LT5 for many years. The only down side to them is that they decrease plenum clearance with the hood.
On my car, the quarter inch plenum spacer lifted the plenum enough that the throttle bracket caused a scrape on the black underhood paint. This doesn't happen on all ZR-1's. So, if you don't have that problem, you're o.k.
The theory of the spacers is to interrupt the heat sink that goes to the plenum from the heads, keeping it cooler. Cooler intake, more oxygen, more performance. The theory sounds good, but there has never been any real testing that showed any performance gain.
Thanks Steve
#9
Drifting
Member Since: Jan 2001
Location: palm harbor/murphy Fl/NC
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C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '11, '14
had mime on when the car went to LPE.Grahm left them on so I am thnking they at least R not hurting anything. The idea sounds good. cooler air is better.
If u sell them I would not give em away.
Robin
If u sell them I would not give em away.
Robin
#10
Le Mans Master
at WOT the air is traveling pretty fast and I wonder how much time there is for heat transfer. getting colder air into the engine for sure makes power. I dynoed the LSV on a cool 50 deg day (dry) and it pulled 530 at the tires uncorrected.
there isn't a correction factor on the street, and 20 hp is noticeable
as for the molded flaps, I have them and like them.
I had to fix one over the weekend. the plastic got hard and brittle from the engine heat and a couple chunks cracked where the bolts hold the flap. a little creative hot glue and fiberglass got it fixed up and looking ok. the only damage is inside the fender well which gets a bit dirty anyway
like the look and especially like the dirt being kept off the rear quarters and burning rubber as well which is a pain to clean off
the turbo buick always had a thick coat of rubber nodules on the inside of the fender and once they harden they are tough to remove
there isn't a correction factor on the street, and 20 hp is noticeable
as for the molded flaps, I have them and like them.
I had to fix one over the weekend. the plastic got hard and brittle from the engine heat and a couple chunks cracked where the bolts hold the flap. a little creative hot glue and fiberglass got it fixed up and looking ok. the only damage is inside the fender well which gets a bit dirty anyway
like the look and especially like the dirt being kept off the rear quarters and burning rubber as well which is a pain to clean off
the turbo buick always had a thick coat of rubber nodules on the inside of the fender and once they harden they are tough to remove
#11
Racer
This is one of the factors that makes those Chicago boys LT5's so strong.
That's why I have tried to keep that intake air as cool as possible. Relocating the IAT, (intake air sensor), from the engine to behind the front bumper helps too.
Keeping the sensor from retarding ignition timing helps develop more power. Every lil' bit helps.
#12
Safety Car
Member Since: Mar 2005
Location: Fredonia WI
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2023 C4 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
Does anyone have pics of flaps on their Z? I assume these are different than for a regular C4
I've always felt the same, but if these can help protect the paint, I'm willing to keep an open mind
I've always felt the same, but if these can help protect the paint, I'm willing to keep an open mind