If there ever was a design flaw on the VQ engine, it would have to be the intake manifold design, starving the front cylinders of air. The Skunk2 spacer takes care of this by simply and effectively increasing plenum volume while lowering intake air temperatures. This combination allows the front cylinders to breath more efficiently resulting in a horsepower gain. Designed to a 5/8-inch thickness the Skunk2 Plenum is made with a special carbon composite material (carbon impregnated nylon-6) that keeps the upper plenum cooler and charge air temperatures lower-remember, the cooler the temp, the more horsepower is to be made.
Those who are anal about retaining their strut tower bar are in for a rude awakening as the spacer prevents the vehicle from retaining the factory unit. Installing the plenum can be done by the average joe, but be careful not to drop or carelessly leave anything inside the manifold when sealing it back up. The last thing you want is your ratchet dancing around in your manifold at 100 mph.
We found that we were able to tilt the upper manifold out of the way after removing the bolts holding the manifold with the factory throttle body still on the unit. Sparingly use silicone on both sides of the plenum without overindulging. The goal is to have a good seal but not to have silicone oozing into the manifold. If removing the two designated studs proves to be a problem due to the specialized tool needed for the job, simply use a vise grip and carefully remove both pieces.
Plenum, bolts, nuts, studs, washers, vaccuum line adapter, instructions
10 and 12mm socket, ratchet, extension, silicone sealant, Vise Grips, pliers, screwdriver
60 minutes
77.9 degrees FahrenheitTemperature difference from previous run: +0.3 degrees Fahrenheit
SKUNK2 PLENUM SPACER
237.7 HP 223.0 TQ |
| 25000 to 3500 HP range: 3 to -1 | 2000 to 3500 TQ range: 4 to -1 |
| 3500 to 5500 HP range: 1 to 4 | 3500 to 5500 TQ range: 1 to 3 |
| 5500 to red line HP: 7 to 10 | 5500 to red line TQ: 3 to 8 |
| Peak HP 237.7 | Peak TQ 223.0 |