Plog!! (power log thread)

Ok, I was about to install this but then I thought...

"hmm do I need RTV high temp silicone stuff for the mating pieces?.?.?.?"

Well? Do I? I think I do so I held off on the install until I get the RTV and I have enough time to let it sit before firing her back up post Plog install.

Thank you.

You do not need rtv, but you do need a set of exhaust manifold gaskets.

I meant RTV from the plog to the crossover pipe. that's where i'd apply it. I am also replacing the crossover pipe so I would RTV that end too.

I was under the impression that the old gasket is fine to use once cleaned and prepped. No?

I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think you need any rtv for this job. Do your factory manifolds have gaskets? I haven't had any 3800 manifolds off personally, but many motors don't have any gaskets with the factory install, but will need them with a reinstall, especially when installing a non-factory part such as headers or a p-log.

If your car has gaskets already, you may be able to reuse them. I certainly wouldn't want to do that job twice though!

I've seen other '95ers write that they didn't have gaskets under their manifolds either.

But I have seen them in pictures on '98+s.

I didn't use RTV when I first installed my headers. The exhaust made some noise that I didn't like. I took off the front header and crossover, used high-temp copper RTV and no more noise.

Last summer when I installed my engine, again I didn't use RTV. This time no noise! So I'd say try it without - you can always pull the PLOG and apply some. Or, try it with RTV and don't worry about it!

AA, did your engine have exhaust manifold gaskets originally?

Yep, still got'em if anyone needs a pair.

AA wrote:

Yep, still got'em if anyone needs a pair.

So you installed a new gasket with your headers?

Yes, and I reused those gaskets again after about 160k miles of use - no problems.

One thing you might want to get is a new gasket for the connection between the new p-log and your crossover.(Exhaust seal ring) Possibly one for each end of the crossover. The reason for that is this: The gaskets are a crush type, fairly soft and crush into their seal. The stock ones are already crushed into a seal for the stock front manifold. The Plog WILL fit a bit funny. Its likely you will need to slightly adjust the angle of your crossover pipe to get a good seal on BOTH gaskets. This is 100x easier if you have two new crush gaskets. At 5$ its good insurance to be sure you don't end up screwing around chasing down exhaust leaks. These seal rings should be used, not just smearing red RTV everywhere.

VICTOR REINZ Part # F31599
FEL-PRO Part # 61009

Also I would suggest a new front manifold gasket. The new ones are a bit more forgiving if the mating surfaces are not perfect. Stock manifolds had a perfect machined and clean surface on the heads and themselves. That was before any heat and cool cycles. By taking off the stock one you will be dealing with a dirty surface and some slight changes due to heat-up and cool down. With high end headers you could probally get away with it if they are well made. Its well known that the zzp plogs are fairly hit and miss with the quality, and so using a new manifold gasket will give you a fighting chance.

Anyway, thats what I found when I did the plog on the 98.

Edit: oh, and be sure to bolt the plog on and torqued properly and then screw around with the crossover. That will make sure the front plog has a good seal to the engine head and you are not stressing anything.

Dude, thank you. I will get the rings and gasket.

FYI - ZZP announced that they will be producing a rear PLOG, coming next year.

Saw that on their Fbook page.

It's...........beautiful!

OK I have a plog sitting in my basement waiting to be installed problem is I'm scared, has anyone ever broken a bolt off doing this before? How do you guys even fit your hand let alone see what your doing do you remove the cover over the radiator for more access?

As long as nothing is extremely rusty it's not particularly likely you'll snap a bolt. It IS a possibility though! Go slow, spray with a penetrant.

When i did mine, I took off the radiator cover and took the fans out. it opened up a TON of room and made the job super easy for me.

Consider getting a new manifold gasket since the surface for the PLOG is different than the old stock manifold.

OK so I did the plog the other night, wasn't as bad as I thought like z type said remove the radiator cover and you can even take the extra step and remove the fans too. The biggest issues with this job are the heat shield and crossover bolts. The heat shield is always in the way so I took a pair of pliers and bent it out of the way for more clearance and access to the farthest bolt on the passenger side. I kept the shield just because it was there to keep heat away from something (ac compressor I guess). The crossover bolts are a pain, buy new ones because no matter how long I spent babying them out evenly on each side they broke off in my manifold. I took my time soaking everything beforehand in pb blaster and didn't break anything besides the crossover bolts, just take time shocking the manifold bots to break them free. My 96 had no gasket so in went a felpro with the plog which btw lines up perfect. I used anti seize on everything and tourqued to 20 ft lbs. The crossover slips over the end of the plog, lined up nice and tightened evenly. This mod is definitely worth it, very noticeable smooth power and more mid range grunt and slightly deeper exhaust note, especially at wot. plus it pretty much removed my existing kr. Can't go wrong with it if your like me and dont want to mess around with installing headers.

For the record, zzp newest rear powerlog will NOT fit the riviera, the h body cars according to zzp have an offset exhaust outlet. The rear plog was intended only for w body cars.