Plenum V's Plenum

[galconn]

There are a number of plenums on or about to enter the market such as Nizpro, Process West, Plazmaman, HPF et al, but how do we (the consumer) know which one to buy other than what it looks like. Why is there no technical data available that will assist the consumer decide which one to buy. For the average driver/enthusiast plenum design is but a black art, a 'fancy' piece of kit that channels air from the throttle body into the engine. What data do we need to know? Is the air flow laminar, or turbulent, do we need to understand Bernoulli's Theorem on fluid dynamics, the relationship between pressure, velocity, and elevation in a moving fluid (liquid or gas), the compressibility and viscosity etc etc. For the average punter I would suggest the answer is probably No. So how do we the consumers know which one to buy or is it simply a matter of pay your money and take your chances and hope the tuner is able to meet our expectations I.e more RWKW?

Edited 26/05/07 11:45 AM by galconn

[illusionzzz]

Nice post, I was thinking about posting a similar thread...

I agree with what your saying and to be honest we really don't know. I guess we gotta fork out the cash and pray we've made the right decision!

It would be nice to be able to have 3 or 4 different plenums, install them and run them on a test mule on the same dyno. I really doubt this is going to happen unless a magazine does side by side tests!

This would tell us which one makes the highest max power but I'm more keen to know what it's like on the street: I.e. any lag, how's the low down response. This stuff really isn't quantifiable so its more your own opinion.

So if theres any magazine editors reading, or tunehouses eager to come to a conclusion themselves, do some testing and let us know what you find!!!!

My personal opinion so far is that Nizpro have heaps of experience and I'm sure carried out plenty of R & D with their design. There plenum has been around for years now and it seems tried and tested amongst us!

I'm impressed with the Process West's tests and results from today at C&V. Kevin also seems really helpful and has a big presence on these forums. It will be interesting to see pricing...

I like the look of the Plazmaman plenum and everytime I've spoken with them they've been really helpful but I havent heard/seen any definitive testing from their plenum.

So at this very point in time, for me, Nizpro is just ahead...

[SavageF6]

The products will come to market, people will try them and report back. Its that simple. The rest is marketing fluff.

[KW CONNER]

Im with you Spruce , - marketing fluff .

The ultimate desicion is up to the individual . No bloke on this forum is going to sway my mind with his 2 bobs supporting his mates product .

Marketing and general product release experience of Nizpro and Plazmaman seems to be more on the stealth and professional level . They keep all their secrets to themselves , like teams do in Formula 1 . They do work for a lot of race teams which requires a high level of expertise and professionalism .

We can hold a poll in a few months to vote for best power maker .

Edited 27/05/07 01:53 AM by Dagabond

[blueboost]

I think you will find that they will be all very similar in the power making ability,

I like the look of them all, and they are all just open plenums, the runers are still standed ones on the bottem part.

you will not have made a wrong decision which ever one you go to.

I just have to say this, as I have been asked, why the process west one made so much of a jump when put on the old C&V car, (100rkws)

well all I can say is that same car made 360rwks 4 years ago, with out a plenum, (if it had a the trial aps plenum on it at this time I am sorry, but still shows they are all around the same)and without even a edit, but with a aps intercooler, (stage 3)

and 385kws with gutted cat and race fuel, (and ran a ten like this) so I beleive what this shows is

they all make good power, and you should go with the one you like the best, they will all perform well.

David

[useless]

Excuse me David.Is the bottom half exactly like the standard one with 12 holes?

[JP300]

Yes it is ...

[YPURV4]

What about, what plenums come with engineering certificate?

As far as I know the NIZPRO plenum is the only one, so if you have any other plenum and the cops catch you your screwed.

[blueboost]

I think each car has to have an engineering certificate any way, so that would not make any difference anyway (queensland anyway)

I would pick the one that you feel looks the best, and the best value for you.

remember I am not knocking any of these, just making sure peple realise its only a open plenum with bellmouths, so you should pick the one you like the best,

I think the prosess west one looks the part, (high quality)

I think in the real world, not dyno figures, a plenum shortens the pipe work under the hood, so it keeps the heat soak down, and the big coolers make the biggest difference, by cooling the inlet temps.

David

[KW CONNER]

I think each car has to have an engineering certificate any way, so that would not make any difference anyway (queensland anyway)

They are all engineering works of art in their own way . One is cast , one is CNC machined and one is custom hand made with CNC . ( done my research and phone calls )

I have seen them all in the flesh , and if it was a selection on looks , (not with any bias intended and just my personal opinion ) the Plasmaman one is miles in front .

APCdave ( will show off plasmaman one today ) and other forum guys I have been told are going on a Xr6 cruise today ( misses needed car ) so lets get their expressions , hopefully the C&V car goes as well and a NIZPRO one will be available on hand . It will be awesome to put them side by side firstly in the car shots and them on the table as well .

Maybe bet in contact with these companies and and have one of each for photo shoot . ???

Edited 27/05/07 02:58 AM by KW CONNER