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phenolic spacers for the rs4?
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:04 pm
by dummi
they're available for s4 , are they for the rs4 engine? if not why not!
RE: phenolic spacers for the rs4?
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:53 pm
by Doug_S2
i got some here
RE: phenolic spacers for the rs4?
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 10:13 pm
by S4TAN
i got some here
Yeah .... ya bugger!
RE: phenolic spacers for the rs4?
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 10:28 pm
by dummi
Doug you ahead of the game
RE: phenolic spacers for the rs4?
Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:43 am
by S25MRS
Please excuse my ignorance.........'phenolic spacers.....

RE: phenolic spacers for the rs4?
Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 11:42 am
by S4TAN
Phenolic spacers are inserted between the inlet manifold and the heads - they insulate the IM from absorbing heat from the heads such that air passing through it isn't heated up - cooler air = more power. Additionally they extend the intake runner length and give better low-end torque. Manufacturers claim a 5-10hp power@crank increase, and a 10% drop in IAT's.
RE: phenolic spacers for the rs4?
Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 11:46 am
by S25MRS
Ahhhh, I see - thanks..... 5-10% is a good increase for something relatively straightforward, surely. Any detrimental affects at all?
RE: phenolic spacers for the rs4?
Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 11:52 am
by S4TAN
Any detrimental affects at all?
No, none AFAIK. They cost about £80 for a set (with gaskets and bolts included)
5-10hp is definitely a good power increase for £80! - and a 10% IAT reduction is well worthwhile.
RE: phenolic spacers for the rs4?
Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 12:14 pm
by S25MRS
Sounds like a good idea to me - if I've got any money next time in Banbury, I'll speak to Doug about it
RE: phenolic spacers for the rs4?
Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 3:48 pm
by okkim
Has anyone proven that those parts really work? The air flow is so massive and fast trough the IM, that in my opinion it will cool the IM by itself. Only thing when it could help is when the engine is hot and idling.
RE: phenolic spacers for the rs4?
Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 3:58 pm
by S4TAN
I know what you're saying okkim - but I guess through the very act of cooling the IM the air flowing through it must pick up the heat (as logic dictates) before entering the cylinders ..... I think the phenolics are a 'Tesco' mod, but worth it (especially if you're combining it with changing the after-run pump as I am, because the IM has to come off anyway)
RE: phenolic spacers for the rs4?
Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 5:29 pm
by dummi
small but valid difference, remember under compression there is a lot of heat, it all adds up in the course of the air going into the engine. its whether you want to or not really, not going to make a big difference
RE: phenolic spacers for the rs4?
Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 7:29 pm
by S4TAN
small but valid difference, remember under compression there is a lot of heat, it all adds up in the course of the air going into the engine
Agreed - the air flowing through the IM will extract the heat from the manifold and that heat has to then go somewhere .... the cylinders! Surely better to have a nice cold IM for your air to flow through.
As you say, won't make a big difference, but every little helps ... and anything that lowers IATs is a GOOD thing.
RE: phenolic spacers for the rs4?
Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 7:51 pm
by Doug_S2
mapped a 500 bhp s4 and a 620 bhp rs4 one night - gave them lots of WOT runs and drove back to the shop sensibly, off boost, around 1 mile, Got out - touch the IM and the S4 was hot and the rs4 the same night - stone cold. s4 no phenolics, rs4 phenolics - good enough reason for me that they do something.
RE: phenolic spacers for the rs4?
Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 8:44 pm
by andream88