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  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

P&P Plenum VS Aftermarket

  • Thread starter Thread starter GA_StangGT
  • Start date Start date Nov 29, 2007
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GA_StangGT

New Member
Sep 17, 2007
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Commerce, GA
Nov 29, 2007
#1
  • Nov 29, 2007
  • #1
The title says it all. I'm interested in what everyone thinks of this. Will a highly ported and polished stock plenum perform as well or better than an Accufab or Dragon? Anyone out there have any experience or dyno numbers to prove which is better?
 

StangYellow

Founding Member
Sep 11, 2002
1,052
1
39
Nov 29, 2007
#2
  • Nov 29, 2007
  • #2
Im sure that the aftermarket plenums are flow bench tested to achieve maximum results. However, porting your own plenum is free, and you cant beat that. To answer your question, HP increases are minimal, and the aftermarket ones would probably provide a tad more HP than if you were to do it yourself.
 

propellerhead

New Member
Apr 13, 2004
1,541
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0
"but what's with the but shots?"
Nov 29, 2007
#3
  • Nov 29, 2007
  • #3
I have the Accufab but I got it more for looks than anything.
 

GA_StangGT

New Member
Sep 17, 2007
30
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0
Commerce, GA
Nov 29, 2007
#4
  • Nov 29, 2007
  • #4
I started the thread because I have seen some on eBay that claim better flow than Accufab and Dragon. I found the claims interesting.

IMO, I'd take a Dragon over the Accufab...it's +/- 1HP difference in performance and a lot more affordable.
 

StangYellow

Founding Member
Sep 11, 2002
1,052
1
39
Nov 29, 2007
#5
  • Nov 29, 2007
  • #5
Yeah Accufab's are way too expensive for 1 extra HP. I took a Dremel tool to mine years ago, didnt notice anything at all.
 

twogts4us

15 Year Member
Apr 1, 2004
4,188
12
79
Dunedin, FL
Nov 29, 2007
#6
  • Nov 29, 2007
  • #6
There is not enough material to properly port the OEM plenum to get the desired results (especially in the 'floor' area of the inlet). As much as the OEM and aftermarket elbows look alike, they are radically different. That said, it's minimal gains (for the aftermarket ones), but honest gains. I dig my Accufab with the 70mm TB...it pulls much better above 3K RPMs. I can't imagine they could make much of a difference with an OEM elbow...and their testing...is it independent? Or did they do it themselves? You know there are ways to make it look like you've made more power...or they could simply outright lie to you...(I mean, come on, it's EBay...here today, gone tomorrow)
 
J

justinschmidt1

Member
Jun 15, 2005
349
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16
Nov 29, 2007
#7
  • Nov 29, 2007
  • #7
I remember seeing a flow test before...all the aftermarket ones were around the same..the ported stock one was lower than all of them
 
G

GettinThere

Member
Jul 29, 2005
553
1
19
Central Texas
Nov 29, 2007
#8
  • Nov 29, 2007
  • #8
StangYellow said:
However, porting your own plenum is free, and you cant beat that.
Click to expand...

While the cost of the various (Dremel) grinding bits is not much, they are not free. Plus the cost of your time, which has value.

StangYellow said:
...HP increases are minimal, and the aftermarket ones would probably provide a tad more HP than if you were to do it yourself.
Click to expand...

+1

I still think the best plenum value out there is the $99 Trick Flow (TFS) plenum from Summit or L.R.S.

 

BennyBlown2v

New Member
Dec 9, 2004
1,233
1
0
Carmel, INdiana
Nov 29, 2007
#9
  • Nov 29, 2007
  • #9
twogts4us said:
There is not enough material to properly port the OEM plenum to get the desired results (especially in the 'floor' area of the inlet). As much as the OEM and aftermarket elbows look alike, they are radically different.
Click to expand...

Well said! The interior dimensions on the stock plenum are far, far smaller than an aftermarket plenum.
 

doubleomustang

New Member
Dec 7, 2006
73
0
0
Spartanburg SC
Nov 29, 2007
#10
  • Nov 29, 2007
  • #10
i had a k&n cold air on my 00 then bought a 80mm TB and had my stock plenum ported. i noticed a big difference in power after the add of both the larger TB and ported plenum. i also already had the cold air tho. IMO if your serios about more power save your money and buy a supercharger.
 

BurningRubber

10 Year Member
Dec 6, 2004
1,865
24
58
Nov 29, 2007
#11
  • Nov 29, 2007
  • #11
80mm? Holy crap dude.
 

fobra559

At least it's more erect and not floppy anymore.
Nov 1, 2007
721
0
0
Lindsay, CA
Nov 29, 2007
#12
  • Nov 29, 2007
  • #12
BurningRubber said:
80mm? Holy crap dude.
Click to expand...

Isn't that overkill? I hope your going the FI path.
 

doubleomustang

New Member
Dec 7, 2006
73
0
0
Spartanburg SC
Nov 29, 2007
#13
  • Nov 29, 2007
  • #13
no the 80mm worked great for me. i am in the process of installing a vortech supercharger tho. but it worked very well on NA
 

fobra559

At least it's more erect and not floppy anymore.
Nov 1, 2007
721
0
0
Lindsay, CA
Nov 29, 2007
#14
  • Nov 29, 2007
  • #14
doubleomustang said:
no the 80mm worked great for me. i am in the process of installing a vortech supercharger tho. but it worked very well on NA
Click to expand...

Right on bro! You car will love that 80mm even more
 

the98stang

Active Member
Aug 12, 2005
2,408
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47
Clovis, CA
Nov 29, 2007
#15
  • Nov 29, 2007
  • #15
StangYellow said:
However, porting your own plenum is free, and you cant beat that.
Click to expand...


Free > $200+
 

BennyBlown2v

New Member
Dec 9, 2004
1,233
1
0
Carmel, INdiana
Nov 29, 2007
#16
  • Nov 29, 2007
  • #16
the98stang said:

Free > $200+
Click to expand...

Says the guy who just recently bought a throttlebody/plenum
 

doubleomustang

New Member
Dec 7, 2006
73
0
0
Spartanburg SC
Nov 29, 2007
#17
  • Nov 29, 2007
  • #17
i think it was $65 to have my stock plenum ported by my local race shop.
 

DropTopPony

Noob Slayer
Founding Member
Aug 13, 2002
2,570
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48
south jersey
Nov 30, 2007
#18
  • Nov 30, 2007
  • #18
Before the aftermarket plenums came out we all were sporting stock ported plenums and intake spacers. The aftermarket plenums are the best of both and for a decent price.
My Steeda spacer was like $50 and the porting was about $40....so it wasn't much cheaper then the plenums out now.

Back then we had no other option, today its easier to just buy a $99 plenum that flows better.
 

fobra559

At least it's more erect and not floppy anymore.
Nov 1, 2007
721
0
0
Lindsay, CA
Nov 30, 2007
#19
  • Nov 30, 2007
  • #19
DropTopPony said:
Before the aftermarket plenums came out we all were sporting stock ported plenums and intake spacers. The aftermarket plenums are the best of both and for a decent price.
My Steeda spacer was like $50 and the porting was about $40....so it wasn't much cheaper then the plenums out now.

Back then we had no other option, today its easier to just buy a $99 plenum that flows better.
Click to expand...

TrickFlow
 

doubleomustang

New Member
Dec 7, 2006
73
0
0
Spartanburg SC
Nov 30, 2007
#20
  • Nov 30, 2007
  • #20
My TB came with a spacer. i never put it on tho because it wouldnt fit. if i spaced the TB out then the throttle cable and cruise control cable wouldnt reach. it was a big pita. i was told they didnt do anything anyway....made a good paper weight tho.
 
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