Ok, so searching and re-reading, I need to start this because IDK which one is better. is it APS or Hughes that contains everything? Is it more expensive? I can see the prices on their site, but I want to know exactly what I'd need, who to get it from, and the best price. APS' complete kit, 139.00 + 19.00 ship, does that include everything required, or would the Hughes kit, 86.00 + Gasket kit 48.00 be more complete? Hughes is 134 total, while APS is nearly 160. It's not adding up to me, I would think Hughes would be the choice, so I must be missing something. This is where this post comes in.

 

The plenum is identical regardless if it is Hughes or APS. 1/4 inch billet aluminum. All that remains is a good quality gasket set (plenum, intake manifold - 4 pieces, and throttle body), which I think both include, and new plenum bolts, which I think both include. It is also a good idea to replace your intake manifold bolts every time you remove it because the bolts stretch and will rust through if you develop a intake manifold leak from the water jacket. Don't know if either kit contained these.

You also havea new thermostat gasket if you change the thermostat.

From what I hear, both are equal except now it seems that APS is taking a little longer to ship the product out. Don't know if that is fact, but it is what I have recently heard.

 

aps is the all inclusive kit i just went thru this and recieved my aps kit yesterday it inluded everything the hughes kit youll need to buy more stuff bolts gaskets and something else if i remember right so it really turns out to be more for the hughes and let alone wayne is a really nice guy to deal with at aps.....and its a beautiful product to bad its not gonna be seen....j ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ i got mine within 10 days im just a lil anxious when it comes to gettin parts i order.....

 

FYI, I have the APS plenum kit installed in my truck too and am very satisfied with it. Was just trying to give a balanced opinion based on information I pulled from other recent posts.

 

So APS for 160 seems to be the best bet.

 

You have to add shipping in on the Hughes price. And I had to email them to remind them to ship my order (8 days after placing it).

I bought the APS plate that comes with the pan bolts and gasket. Then bought the intake bolts, t-stat, and high temp black paint from Hughes. Then got my intake to heads gasket from the local Auto parts. Comes out cheaper that way.

$84 - APS plus shipping ($10)
$15 - Hughes(bolts only) plus shipping (??)
$10 - gasket, LAP

Advanced AP can order you the bolts and gasket kit as well. But it's like $42. That's where you get screwed somewhere. On the bolts and gasket. The Hughes kit might not come with new pan bolts and belley gasket. Not sure. But the APS does. I'm talking about the kits w/o the intake bolts. Then all you need is theintake bolts which are cheaper from hughes than anywhere else I searched. I think Summit has them as well. Just make sure you buy Torque to yeild bolts. You also need the gasket but that's available anywhere. Most places will try and sell you both gaskets. Insist that you only need the one. I think that's where both Hughes and APS get you, you are paying for the pan gasket twice if you buy the bolt and gasket package.

 

I bought the Hughes kit and it comes with everything you need except, blue loctite, thermostat gasket, and RTV

$150.91 everything costs, and it was at my door in 3 days

 

I have the hughes kit.. ( just waiting for the temps to get alittle warmer..) It came with the pan bolts and the metal pan gasket. I did have to order new intake bolts from them as well. it was at my door within the week.

Plenum reinforcement kit, ( aluminumpan, gasket, bolts..) 86.00
intake gaskets ( lower gaskets.. manifold to head....manifold to block front and rear..)and bolts....47.95
shipping.... 14.84....( shipping maybe lower for some.. I am in VA and had ordered a few more things from them..

 

Well your guys' total differs from mine. Blay, looks like you paid just over 146 for the kit whereas i calculated 134. Force paid just under 152.

Well APS is taking longer from other posts, and Hughes has the reputation, and apparently cheaper cost. Think I might have to add a Hughes kit. (My dad knows about Hughes engines, by ANY chance is this a company from Howard Hughes? I dont think it is, but who knows where all that guy's money end up).

 

I received my Hughes kit a few days ago, completed the tear down yesterday, and cleaned up the parts today. In the instructions for the Hughes kit, they specifically say "do not use any type of gasket sealer" when mounting the plenum plate to the manifold. I'm a little curious re: why they don't want you to use sealer. Any thoughts? Has anybody out there installed this Hughes kit w/out RTV - any problems? I do NOT want to do this job again.

Thanks for the input.....

mc (newbie)