What will they do for my motor?

They are used to insulate the upper manifold { Plenum } from the heat of the lower manifold / engine so that the upper manifold { Plenum } will remain cooler.

If the upper intake manifold { Plenum } is cooler, it will transfer less heat to air passing through it. Hence, {For every 7 degrees F you can lower the air temperature 1% horsepower is realized} 

50 degree lower air temp = 7.15% more horsepower. 145HP X 7.15% = 10.36 HP increase.  

The air going into the cylinders is cooler and denser, resulting in a potentially more powerful air/fuel mixture in the cylinders & a crisper throttle response.

How are they made?

Plenum spacers are usually made from 1/2″ or 3/8″ material.  The thicker the spacers are (up to a point, of course) the greater their insulating capacity and the more benefit they will provide.

There is a point of diminishing returns, of course.  Check to see if your EGR Tube from the exhaust manifold will be long enough to properly mate up with the EGR Valve located on the Plenum.

If spacers thicker than about 1/2″ are used, the plenum may be raised so high that you could have trouble getting your hood closed.

No matter the thickness of the spacers, you will need bolts of the correct length and two upper intake manifold gaskets.

The spacers can be made by getting an upper intake gasket to use as a template.  Use the template to cut out the spacer material.  You may want to seriously consider having a shop that works with G10 (phenolic) cut them out for you.

Aluminum can be used as well.

Make sure you use a respirator and work outside.  Phenolic is basically fiberglass encased in a plastic resin that can damage your lungs.

About The Author

Founder / Administrator at  | Staff Profile

Jim Oaks is the founder of The Ranger Station, one of the longest-running Ford Ranger enthusiast communities on the web. He has spent over three decades owning, modifying, repairing, and driving Ford Rangers on the street, trail, and cross-country routes.

Since launching TheRangerStation.com in 1999, Jim has documented thousands of real-world Ranger builds, technical repairs, drivetrain swaps, suspension modifications, and off-road tests contributed by owners worldwide. His work has been referenced by enthusiasts, mechanics, and off-road builders looking for practical, experience-based information rather than theoretical advice.

Jim’s hands-on experience includes long-distance overland travel, trail use, drivetrain and axle upgrades, suspension tuning, and platform comparisons across multiple Ranger generations. The content published on The Ranger Station is grounded in first-hand experience and community-verified data, not marketing claims or generic specifications.