Installing Thermo Spacers without kit

[MrMazda92]

I've recently purchased some thermospacers used, they do not come with the full mounting kit as the title says.

I have two questions:

Firstly; does anybody know the exact length(and/or a source) for the bolts required for the IM, in order to accommodate the spacers?

Secondly; From personal experience, would I be better off using two sets of IM gaskets or a silicone based gasket maker?

I was surprised to not see more info about this on here... It's not a super uncommon mod for people afterall.

[Pritchett]

I just installed a set a week ago...too bad I could have gotten you an exact length, but I can measure the manifold/gasket height and then you can add 15-20mm so it bites the threads sufficiently. Your gonna need the head studs too I think. As for the gaskets, my spacers came with the gaskets attached. They're green and are a different material, once I torqued them down they were pretty snug and looked great. Do you have the throttlebody spacer as well? I bypassed the coolant from the throttlebody as well, trying to make as much power as I can with this mod

[Ryan]

I did this...

Add 20mm to the stock bolts (M10x1.5?) and use the stock studs.

Just bring an IM bolt to the hardware store, say you want that thread, just 20mm longer. Thread it into a nut to check the thread... and buy 4 new nuts for the studs too. Get some sort of coated ones if you don't want them to rust. They should be less than $0.25 a piece.

[MrMazda92]

Thanks guys, that'll work for the IM bolts no problem.

I actually don't have the TB spacer at the moment, I'm still waiting for one to pop up by itself.
It's a little simpler to install thankfully , so I don't mind doing it separately.

The spacers came with the gaskets attached? I'm not sure I follow, I'll double check mine when they arrive.

Thank you both.

[Ryan]

use a layer of gasket maker so thin you aren't sure if you put any on. You don't want those extra blobs poking into your airstream. No need for MLS gaskets.

[Daninski]

I'll be installing mine soon so thanks for the info guys,,,,you too Ryan.

[Pritchett]

Hmm, I never used anything but the gaskets. I just cleaned off the mating surfaces with engine cleaner and torqued them down in the proper pattern. After adding coolant and all that good stuff the car idles at 600rpm fairly steady. It seems as though there is a misfire every now and then but that might be due to the fact of the stock "Mazda" brand sparkplugs. It's way to flipping loud to tell if it's sucking air, however the steady idle is telling me there's no air leak. But I guess being cautious doesn't hurt. Good luck with your install!!

[MrMazda92]

I'll go for the gasket maker approach for now, I don't foresee any problems but I'll definitely keep it thin.

Daniniski, that was cold!

[Daninski]

I'll go for the gasket maker approach for now, I don't foresee any problems but I'll definitely keep it thin.

Daniniski, that was cold!

Cold is a harsh word, I like to think of those comments as,,,tepid.

[MrMazda92]

This thread is tepid, going by liver temp, it's been dead a while now.

[fowljesse]

I used non hardening gasket maker, because I was taking the IM off once in a while.

[davmac]

I used non hardening gasket maker, because I was taking the IM off once in a while.

I second that idea - anaerobic gasket maker is the perfect solution as a bit of insurance that no leaks are going to occur. Since IMs need to come on and off occasionally the anaerobic gasket maker is the best option. The only downside is that the anaerobic gasket material can be a bit messy.