Intake Manifold Brackets?

[Sil40sK]

I just realized how much of a PITA these things are when you're trying to do work on your motor, my question is, are any of you guys just running without the brackets that go on the side and back of the intake manifold? I mean the manifold dosn't seem all that heavy so the brackets don't seem like they really do much. Just wondering on opinions of you guys as to whether or not you run with them.

[dattodude]

Yeah.. I think they must be there for crash dynamics of the S13. They seem like total overkill, and maybe only there so the engine can be lifted by the plenum. I don't run either, and haven't seen a problem.

I've never run the back one, and I've done nearly 160,000mi with my CA18. My latest project uses neither of them.

My vote goes to losing them.

Cheers.

[rico05]

Really? I would just be worried about the vibration hurting the heat stressed aluminum lower intake mani. And considering how easy they are to remove, I dunno. I do trust dattodude's word, I just know I am leaving my side one, but not the back one (left it off after headgasket change) for peace of mind if nothing else...