Sorry, almost forgot. I have a '97 Ram 1500 with the 5.9L.

I'm going to replace my intake gaskets this weekend, and of course do the kegger mod and replace the belly pan. I'm going to use new bolts on the intake when I re-install, what is the correct torque for these bolts?
I'm also going to install a 52mm TB, but right now I have a TB spacer on it. Should I leave the spacer on or am I better to leave it off? I have read on here that they do nothing for these engines, but if I already have it should I leave it on or is it actually hurting my performance? I didn't notice a decrease when I put it on, if anything it was a hair better and maybe a hair better MPG, but I also put in a 180° thermostat at the same time so that may have been contributing to it too.

One more question....is the hughes plate a flat aluminum plate?

 

Spacer does absolutely nothing, good or bad. Just gives another gasket surface for a potential leak. Leave it off.

If you got the hughes plate, it will come with instructions, with the correct torque numbers, and tightening sequence. Follow the instructions to the letter. You will be fine.

Yep. Flat aluminum.

 

The hughes plat is a flat piece of aluminum. The intake bolts, I believe, take 12 ft lbs to torque them down right, and your correct about the TB spacer. It's junk. You can use it if you want but it's just taking up space.

 

I thought the plate looked flat, I just plan on making my own, looks pretty simple to me.

 

I'm very excited to get this mod done! I'm hoping for some good perfomance gains, but also MPG gains as well. Well if I can keep my foot out of it!

 

There was another member that did his own plate..... there was a thread on it not so very long ago....

 

I found it, thanks for the info.

 

I thought it was 72 in-lbs?

 

You might be thinking about the belly pan. Haynes say 144 inch pounds which is 12 ft lbs.

 

Yep. OK, right church, wrong pew!