Engine support missing?

[oldmansupra]

So I saw this picture that belongs to someone else on the forums:

Now on my car, that brace that connects the intake manifold to the engine mount is missing. The previous owner must've removed it and not put it back. I know he removed lots of things for weight reduction but this doesn't make much sense to me. Would this damage anything? I'm assuming I should put that sucker back on. I've already replaced the intake manifold gasket which had a leak on it.

Now also in that picture I'm refering to that little polished block off plate. My car doesn't have anything plugged in there. What is that for and should it be left open or blocked off?

Thanks in advance for any help, the mods the previous owner underwent just amaze me...

 

[whitemike]

The brace is to help alleviate stress caused by the weight of the intake manifold, you should have one on the turbo side too I believe. That little block off plate blocks off the J-Tube, which is a restrictive hardline in the fuel system. Many people bypass it, it's considered an upgrade

Mike

 

[oldmansupra]

Ok cool, I'll source that engine brace out.

Now for the fuel line, Is it necessary to block it off with a plate? Also are there any cons assosiated with removing the J-tube? Such as higher fuel pressure? My fuel system is all stock. My car is idleing high and won't drop down, is this a possibly building up high fuel pressure?

 

[MarkIII4Me]

Are you saying the J-tube isn't there or connected to the fuel system, yet there is no block-off plate? I'm confused.

If it is there and has the fuel lines connected; leave it. It is not a restriction if you aren't upgrading your fuel system. The purpose of the J-tube is as a fail-safe to keep enough pressure in the system to limp home in case the fuel pump fails.

 

[Dirgle]

Just a quick correction, it's if the fuel pressure regulator fails.

 

[oldmansupra]

Yeah, there's no tube going into that port, yet there is no block-off plate either. I see that doesn't make sense now, I'll check that when I get home. Maybe I'm looking at a different port. When I removed my intake manifold I remember looking at a port and wondering what should plug into it. I'll double check.

 

[NashMan]

i hate to say it but you really don't need that brace it just way toyota is for over building stuff that just not needed same with the turbo side and power streeing pump braket tooo


plus makes working on stuff a lot easier


but that is just me

 

[oldmansupra]

Okay interest, so it's not that critical.

 

[whitemike]

I'd say it's more critical on the turbo side. There's a lot of weight over there.

 

[oldmansupra]

Ok wait I was thinking of the wrong port:

From this picture what is that rounded square port that is on the block there for? The one directly overtop of the engine mount. Should something be plugged into that?

 

[IJ.]

Nah Toyota put all these unneeded parts on the car just to make it hard to work on.... :nono: <sarc>

ALL of the braces are there for a reason, sure the car might run without them but why not put them back on.

OMS: The one with 2 bolt holes?
If so on NA's they bolt the vacc reservoir there on GTE's it's unused.

 

[oldmansupra]

Ah gotcha so it's just a mounting point for that resevoir. I just wanted to make sure it didn't lead to someone because my car has been leaking fuel and coolant and it was getting into those holes. My bad mistaking it with the J-Tube.

As for that brace, I agree it be okay for some time but over time the extra stress on where the intake connects to itself and the head couldn't be good. Fatigue over time might cause a leak in the gasket. Also it probably wouldn't be good to lean on that intake manifold while doing repairs without that brace on. Aluminum is a pretty soft metal, might damage the head over time, just my thoughts...

 

[whitemike]

over time the extra stress on where the intake connects to itself and the head couldn't be good. Fatigue over time might cause a leak in the gasket. Also it probably wouldn't be good to lean on that intake manifold while doing repairs without that brace on. Aluminum is a pretty soft metal, might damage the head over time, just my thoughts...

Bingo!

 

[MarkIII4Me]

Just a quick correction, it's if the fuel pressure regulator fails.

I stand corrected.


On a side note, I'd try to retain all factory bracing if you can. I know personally I was able to keep the intake manifold brace and the lower exhaust manifold brace. However, with my aftermarket turbo and blanket, there's nowhere to connect either the upper or lower turbo supports. I won't be surprised when my factory exhaust manifold begins to crack

I just can't bring myself to start cutting holes into the blanket.

 

[whitemike]

I stand corrected.


On a side note, I'd try to retain all factory bracing if you can. I know personally I was able to keep the intake manifold brace and the lower exhaust manifold brace. However, with my aftermarket turbo and blanket, there's nowhere to connect either the upper or lower turbo supports. I won't be surprised when my factory exhaust manifold begins to crack

I just can't bring myself to start cutting holes into the blanket.

I run aftermarket intake and exhaust manifolds. I'm very close to fabbing up a turbo stay and a brace for the intake as well. The head is just so soft, I really don't want to heli-coil the intake side.

 

[NashMan]

the only thing i would put a brace is on after maket trubo on a tublure manfold to prevent manfold from cracking


the 5m intake did not have brace far as can remmber and many other toyota motors and other car companies

 

[whitemike]

the only thing i would put a brace is on after maket trubo on a tublure manfold to prevent manfold from cracking


the 5m intake did not have brace far as can remmber and many other toyota motors and other car companies

Longevity bro, it helps.

 

[NashMan]

well each there own

 

[IJ.]

Ah gotcha so it's just a mounting point for that resevoir. I just wanted to make sure it didn't lead to someone because my car has been leaking fuel and coolant and it was getting into those holes. My bad mistaking it with the J-Tube.

As for that brace, I agree it be okay for some time but over time the extra stress on where the intake connects to itself and the head couldn't be good. Fatigue over time might cause a leak in the gasket. Also it probably wouldn't be good to lean on that intake manifold while doing repairs without that brace on. Aluminum is a pretty soft metal, might damage the head over time, just my thoughts...

I build my cars to last longer than 8 days at a time so I think it's a good idea to use them

 

[Poodles]

i hate to say it but you really don't need that brace it just way toyota is for over building stuff that just not needed same with the turbo side and power streeing pump braket tooo


plus makes working on stuff a lot easier


but that is just me

Turbo side needs the braces unless you like pulling the studs out of the head and like retorquing all the fasteners on that side of the engine. Oh, and BULLSHIT to the brace not being needed on the power steering pump. If it's loose or missing the belt will flip over or be flung (don't argue with me on this, I know from experience).

This is my only warning about posting wrong info in the tech section.