Forums/Z31P/z31-performance-upgrade-forums cosmetic-interior-exterior/Smoothed Stock Plenum
Imported from Z31Performance.com Forums{{#if:james| — original post by james}}{{#if:2013-07-31 09:33:22|, posted 2013-07-31 09:33:22}}{{#if:25| · 25 post{{#ifeq:25|1||s}}}}{{#if:/Z31performance_archive/forum/z31-performance-upgrade-forums/cosmetic-interior-exterior/22272-smoothed-stock-plenum.html|
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james: (2013-07-31 09:33:22)
Got really bored tonight so i wondered what a really smoothed stock plenum would look like.
Started carefully chopping off ugly and unnecessary brackets to see what it looked like.
Here is where I am at so far
[archived image: WP_20130731_0031_zpsf25c424f.jpg]
[archived image: WP_20130731_0021_zpsbc61fd53.jpg]
a bit more time with a flapper wheel and threading one hole and i think it will look pretty good.
I'm thinking hard about Zach's Gutted plenun top
tnokes9: (2013-07-31 11:26:57)
If you have a stock plenum, you shouldn't need Zach's plenum top. ASCO sells that part so you can still use the stock cover with a gutted plenum. If yours is stock the cover should still mount using the holes on top.
Careless: (2013-07-31 12:12:42)
well its obvious that he's thinking of gutting the plenum then, tnokes9.
looking good james. you can gut the plenum with a 4.5 inch grinder (yes, i'm not kidding). make sure you have the plate in hand before attempting this, as the 60 dollar gutted plenum I bought was from side to side across the whole width, making welding the top near impossible without using a boat load of filler rod. at that stage- what's the point of even trying with so much added filler?
if you need pictures of my progress on that with 4.5 grinding work, I can show you. I won't be doing a forward facing intake anymore but i am still going to use the gutted plenum for my new idea.
james: (2013-08-01 00:51:30)
Hey Careless,
Those pics or a link would be great.
Tonight I am planning on hacking off the EGR standoff and my brother in law is going to tig up some holes for me.
Watch out for more progress, Tnokes9 this will be a gutted plenum I also know all about ASCO products as I even designed one for them.
G-E: (2013-08-01 01:35:16)
I always wondered if instead of "gutting" the plenum, someone were to "bulge" the plenum on the sides more, keep it flat but add volume, while not interrupting the port baffles… how would that perform?
james: (2013-08-01 09:41:00)
Somebody who has cut up a stock plenum could model it and apply some CFD analysis to it ? I could CAD model it, but i would rather CAD model a Streetfighter / Satan Plenun and CFD that instead.
Made a little progress tonight.
EGR Port ? What EGR Port ?
[archived image: WP_20130801_004_zps61767a7c.jpg]
[archived image: WP_20130801_006_zpsa95ef13a.jpg]
[archived image: WP_20130801_005_zps2de42bea.jpg]
Careless: (2013-08-01 10:12:14)
once you get it smooth as poss with the flap disc, 40grit sand paper on an orbital sander does wonders to shaping metal- event mild steel. just make sure you get a 10 pack at least. lol
i find it's the best sandpaper/tool to do final shaping before attacking things with the less gritty sandpaper for metal work like this.
-Strike-: (2013-08-01 10:30:39)
Hah, nice! I just did this not too long ago, and had all the holes and dimples welded up. Turned out nice.
[archived image: Plenum2-1.jpg]
[archived image: Plenum1-1.jpg]
Keep at it, it's quite the rewarding little task, it looks nice under the hood when it's cleaned up.
james: (2013-08-01 10:41:08)
Strike, have you got an engine bay shot ? Would love to see it.
Looks great !
nismopu: (2013-08-01 15:00:50)
We kind of think alike.
-Strike-: (2013-08-01 17:03:05)
This is the only decent one I have right now, I dont have any showing the other side yet for some reason… I have to pull the car back inside and replace the starter again, so maybe I'll take some more shots once I clean it up again hah
Top photo is the most recent with the IC
MADMIKE: (2013-08-01 18:08:58)
The one thing that detracts from the look of your plenum is the Buldge where the AIC was.
-Strike-: (2013-08-01 18:19:28)
Haha, yeah, it's such a large hole, the only real way to flush it over would be to chop the flange off grind the area smooth, weld a plate cut to fit the hole like a glove, tig it nicely around the edge, and see if you can grind the weld smooth to blend it flush. Just seemed like so much work for a stock plenum
MADMIKE: (2013-08-01 18:44:06)
Agreed, if it had been opened for gutting it would be easier, especially with the ASCO plate.
ajaxism: (2013-08-02 04:30:58)
I did the same thing. Below is the only photo I have of it. I've sinced moved onto gutting and smoothing a max plenum. (I paid $20 for it and $100 postage from US to AUS)
[archived image: 20120725_122659.jpg]
DeleriousZ: (2013-08-02 05:02:39)
Y'know, I always complain about shipping to Canada. We've actually got it pretty good compared to you aus/kiwi dudes…
Careless: (2013-08-02 05:03:36)
but lawd knows you still 'gon complain aboot it.
ajaxism: (2013-08-02 09:04:52)
It's pretty annoying, considering the item itself was only $20 [archived image: frown.png]
james: (2013-08-02 10:15:28)
The smooth Plenums are looking so good !
you know what DZ, i have found everybody who has shipped me parts from Z31P to be totally awesome about it. I have had stufft from Z31P arrive faster than local stuff.
Being a Kiwi also hardened me up to building parts of my own.
slammedcoupe: (2013-08-02 20:30:32)
being a cheap ass hardened me up to fabbing most of the stuff i need..
i dont know if thats good or bad lol
nismopu: (2013-08-02 22:24:58)
Its called Datsun owner syndrome. Nothing to be concerned about.
slammedcoupe: (2013-08-04 00:16:32)
oh ok nothing to worry about then....
is there some weekly meeting I need to attend now ?
lol
james: (2013-08-04 08:12:34)
This should do for now, have about 4 hours into it at this point. Only gone as far as an 80 grit flapper wheel as its going to get painted alloy/flat silver anyway and i don't care for polished parts.
At this stage I'm going to keep it cosmetic and be happy until i get some other stuff done.
[archived image: WP_20130804_010_zps96d3d943.jpg]
[archived image: WP_20130804_0151_zpsc3555751.jpg]
Anybody can do this job with a grinder, files , hacksaw and sandpaper. And it looks so much better than a stock plenum.
frostvectron: (2013-08-07 06:18:58)
This might be a dumb question… but are the plenums all the same between all the years/models?
Careless: (2013-08-07 06:26:02)
with the exception of a vacuum fitting near the back being different between auto and manual transmissions- i think they're more or less identical.