Hills Motorsport Plenum

[Steve]

This is based on my first hand experience. Please dont ask me for opinions, as I do beleive that it would contradict the rules of this forum.

I originally ordered the plenum in the early part of this year, and had paid in full - $890 to supply a plenum with ford throttle body. As a full bolt on that allows all factory options such as idle control to be run.

When I asked them to send it to me, it was a few months later, he told me then that the throttle body has a ford TPS and would not work as it was with a nissan. I was also then told that the throttle butterfly had a couple of small holes that I 'might have to do something with'. Fortuneately I did find someone who filled the holes and was able to make an adaptor for the ford throttle body to nissan TPS.

Upon receipt, I discovered that the flange that the throttle body mounts to was to suit a factory nissan skyline throttle body, not the supplied (second hand ford explorer) item. Also the bottom of the plenum had been welded after it had been faced, then finished with an oil stone which was close enough. (this is because I rang Hills and asked why it wasnt faced). So I sent the plenum back to have the flange for the throttle body changed. This was promised to be done on the day it arrived, and overnighted back. I overnighted the plenum to Hills, it came back 4 days later.

Upon fitting it was discovered that there werent enough places to attach vacuum lines, so I had to have a block made up and tapped it into my PCV line. Also, where the brake booster attaches to the plenum has been located behind the AAC valve, so to adjust it you need to remove the brake boost line first, hold your hand over the hole and use a very short screw driver as otherwise it is impossible to access the vavle. A couple more surprises.

Finally today I found the source of my vacuum leak that had been making impossible to maintain anything close to stable rpm below 11-1200. The throttle body flange is not true, by close to 1mm, causing quite a severe leak. I have tried using thicker gasket paper, didnt work, tried using 3bond, didnt work.

So I now have to remove the plenum and take it to get it faced. I hope there are no more surprises. This is becoming a VERY expensive exercise.

Trust plenums cost $1100, bolt straight up, and work well.

I will soon have a hills plenum for sale if anybody is interested, please pm me.

[sidewaymambo]

Hi, Steve

Sorry to hear about this, and thank you for sharing this and for people looking for replacement of plenum will have some idea..and that's why we have forum here for..

thanks.

[dabigbolf]

not the greatest to here people getting stuffed around.

i got my plenum done. Just refaced, and as far as i know it hasn't missed a bit. For 250 bucks and the sake of closing the bonnet, was very worth while.

I guess thats a difference, some companies dont really pride themselves on what they produce.

Its all about the $$$ factors. If they had taken that little extra time to make your plenum, but had got it spot on, i am sure you'd be over the moon....

best of luck.

[BOOSTD]

should make more pwr 2, without ur turbo pushin more air than needed. no wonder your car sounded whistley.

[Steve]

Thanks guys.

I hope by posting up here that someone can learn from my experiences, and hopefully dont end up with the dramas that I experienced.

Now to find a replacement plenum. I would love to get a trust one, but they take ages to get here and I want to get my car back on the road. If I persist with this plenum, I am not sure how much more it will cost me to get it sorted - it is becoming a money pit. At the minimum I am looking at remove and replace, gaskets and the cost of facing. It is one very expensive plenum.

[GTS-t VSPEC]

I have the Graddy plenum and haven't had any issues with that. I also have a 100mm throttle body, and that doesn't cause any major issues either. I think both purchases were worthwhile, but can understand your frustration when things turn into a drama.

[Steve]

Hopefully, soon I will have a trust plenum too. It sort of shits me because not only do I need to buy another plenum, I will have to get all the pipework redone. It cost me nearly $400 for the pipework, gaskets, fitting and vacuum block needed with the Hills plenum. And of course I need to retune the bloody thing again.

Which throttle body are you using? Is it the infinity one? What do they cost? cos it might be more worthwhile than using the stock one as an adaptor cost $150.

Cheers

[jtir]

At least you exhaust didn't go missing or wheels get scratched.

[T0nyGTSt]

Is the 300zx or Q45 throttle body the recommended unit?

Do you need the adapter plate for the z32/q45?

T.

[Steve]

jtir, do tell?

Tony, the q45 is bolt on for the trust plenum.

[T0nyGTSt]

Originally posted by Steve

Tony, the q45 is bolt on for the trust plenum.

That's good news as you don't waste $100 on an RB25DET throttle body adapter.

T.

[sidewaymambo]

Well, I bought the adapter plate for my Rb25det throttle body, but end up use Q45 throttle body..

Tony, how' s car goes now?

[T0nyGTSt]

Originally posted by sidewaymambo

Tony, how' s car goes now?

Car is almost ready. All the internals are done, port/polish head.

Problem is that I'm doing a lot of stuff along with it (ie. oil cooler, remote oil filter kit, hopefully cams). Like all rebuilds, the price has blown way out of what was planned.

It should be ready the CRD dyno day early October.

I hurt my left hand so I'm not able to drive manual cars much anyway.

How much is a Q45 TB btw.?

The car has been up on stands for quite a while now.

T.

[sidewaymambo]

Steve

so do you get a refund or credit or something else?

[Steve]

I am hoping that I will get a refund, just need to find a trust plenum asap so I can get my car running ok, then return the hills one and hope for the best.

Do you still have the adaptor to stock throttle body? I may be inerested in unloading it off you. Also, where did you get the trust plenum from? did they order it or do they carry stock? also, roughly how much did it cost if that isnt a rude question?

Cheers

Steve

[sidewaymambo]

Hi, Steve

Check your PM..

[T0nyGTSt]

AFAIK the Trust plenum is ~$1,000 from a number of sources. I'm still arranging to get one.

The rb25det adapter is $100 more.

I think Philip is saying the z32/q45 adapter bolts straight onto the plenum (ie. no adapter plate needed).

So your $100 is better put towards a new TB.

How much is a TB btw.?

T.

[sidewaymambo]

Yes, Q45 throttle body is direct bolt on, howeve they are rare to source. also by change biger throttle body means piping have to remade, 90mm diameter..and the TPS can be direct splice to your stock TPS harness.

[Bl4cK32]

Steve cant u ring up consumer affairs? I'm sure this would be covered under not being supplied with what was advertised. I hope all goes well.

[B-Man]

Hi All,

Steve, I sort of feel a bit responsible for your plenum issues as I had posted details of my Hills plenum on this forum. I also recall that I gave you Hills phone number (I think).

As you know, I had some issues with Hills myself - if anyone wants details, PM me as I don't think the forum rules would alow me to state the facts surrounding my Hills experience.

Nuff said...

I too am looking for a new Plenum - so if there is a two for the price of one offer going, I'll be in it ! The only caviat is that it must be a tried, tested and proven part.

I hope some people learn from Steve and my experiences.

Cheers,