I didn't reattach the engine bracket to the back of the intake plenum. I wasn't sure if I might need to get back in there again. Also I had trouble lining up the threads and didn't want to cross thread it so I left it detached.

So how bad is this? It's attached on the driver's side bracket. But not the passenger side. Is this risky? I don't drive the car very much and only for very short trips. Like 10 miles round trip.

​​​

 

Long term risk is unknown could be fine or the constant stress/flexing might cause a problem.

 

Hello,

The lack of that brace may give just enough flex between the Plenum and the Manifold to develop a vacuum leak over time, as there is no elastic gasket that could absorb those deflections.

In short, while unlikely to cause any catastrophic damage, I would say that it is quite necessary to have it in place.

Hope this helps and best of luck!

 

Thanks for the responses Lex2k and Arsenii.
Do you have any tips to prevent cross-threading the bolt? I can't seem to line up the hole in the bracket to the hole in the plenum. I think I might try loosening the bracket at the lower end and give it more play.

 

That's basically how you do it, gives a lot more freedom, the only other advice would be to not force the bolt in, it should thread in by itself, and your patience will be rewarded.

Hope this helps and best of luck!

 

Awesome. I appreciate you sharing your experience. I'll give it a shot. The worst thing in the world is fixing 1 thing only to mess up something else. I did all that work to replace the vcgs and don't want to ruin that victory by cross threading a engine bracket bolt!