Issues with ZZP PLOGs?

**nickbuol** · 07-18-2009

I was going to order a PLOG this weekend from ZZP when I order a catted downpipe, but then I came across a thread here last night that people were having cracking issues with the PLOGs.

Should I hold off on the PLOG until I start doing more serious mods like a pulley drop? Right now I am just looking at the downpipe and a DIY FWI. The PLOG just seemed to make sense because I was working on air flow.

No plans to go anything smaller, ever, than a 3.5" pulley so no desire for the cost, installation time of headers (I know that they are the most ideal, but I am not going to do anything besides the supporting mods for a 3.5")...

Thanks for any insight on the PLOG...

**99prixgt** · 07-18-2009

If you plan on pulley dropping, first things first, get something to scan with. It seems its a hit or miss whether the plog cracks or not. My plog works just fine, don't waste your money on the ceramic coating option, and don't exhaust wrap them, that will make the plog more prone to cracking.

**silverstreak** · 07-18-2009

Originally Posted by nickbuol

I was going to order a PLOG this weekend from ZZP when I order a catted downpipe, but then I came across a thread here last night that people were having cracking issues with the PLOGs.

Should I hold off on the PLOG until I start doing more serious mods like a pulley drop? Right now I am just looking at the downpipe and a DIY FWI. The PLOG just seemed to make sense because I was working on air flow.

No plans to go anything smaller, ever, than a 3.5" pulley so no desire for the cost, installation time of headers (I know that they are the most ideal, but I am not going to do anything besides the supporting mods for a 3.5")...

Thanks for any insight on the PLOG...

You dont need headers if you're just dropping to a 3.5. With that said, alot of guys always start out with these plans but they soon change when they want to go faster, so keep that in mind. I have had a plog(just the painted one) for over a year with no issues...knock on wood. If I was to do it all over again I would have just put headers on and be done with it.

**blueguy** · 07-18-2009

I've talked to him over PM's about it...he doesn't want headers just based on the fact it is his DD and he doesn't want to mess with it TOO much.

Some PLOG tend to crack...other's are fine...it is hit and miss, just like KR...some have it...others don't.

**Sabrewings** · 07-18-2009

First gen Plogs, especially the non-stainless versions, had the tendency to crack. I've had my newer gen stainless Plog in for about a year and it's gotten hot enough to glow and shows no signs of wear. They're solid.

**FoSHO99** · 07-18-2009

Yes, i would go with the stainless also, but I have a front powerlog that isn't stainless that goes through some bad heat cycles and hasn't cracked yet. If it does crack, i've seen people send them into zzp and have them fixed, or just welded locally.

**Liquifire** · 08-01-2009

So on the current ones has anyone had cracking issues with these? Has anyone had any issues with the stainless ones cracking at all or are they pretty much bullet proof?

**nickbuol** · 08-01-2009

I am about to order a PLOG once I get my $50 credit for my old downpipe that I am sending them on Monday. I am wondering about the cracking issues as well and if the stainless is, as Liquifire put it, "bullet proof"????

**superv6** · 08-01-2009

Well to be fair nothing is bulletproof. I've got a plog on my car with no issues. And I got mine used. I've heard that wrappin plogs will almost always make em crack. I dunno about u but a plog works just fine for me and the dp/plog combo I put on helped quite a bit on performance. Just make sure no matter what that u install everything right the first time. Dp's are known for leaking if installed wrong

**Iron Indian** · 08-02-2009

Originally Posted by bluegtp91

I've talked to him over PM's about it...he doesn't want headers just based on the fact it is his DD and he doesn't want to mess with it TOO much.

Not to sound like a smart ass or anything, but how does headers mess up your car to not make it a good DD anymore? If thats the case, I got a full blown race car and I didn't even know it.

Headers FTW, they will not ruin a DD. You won't even know you have em...

**FoSHO99** · 08-02-2009

Originally Posted by Iron Indian

Headers FTW, they will not ruin a DD. You won't even know you have em...

True, when I got headers I left it catless and it was a lil loud with flowmasters and custom catback, but If anything they improved the overall driveability of the car.

**Iron Indian** · 08-02-2009

Originally Posted by FoSHO99

True, when I got headers I left it catless and it was a lil loud with flowmasters and custom catback, but If anything they improved the overall driveability of the car.

Exactly, hell my car runs on stock mufflers nowadays and its not much louder than stock and it doesn't even drone on the highway. Roll down the windows you hear slightly more engine noise and exhaust flowing noise, thats it. Roll up the window and you hear nothing at all...

**nickbuol** · 08-03-2009

Alright guys. I know that you love your new headers. I would too, but they are just not in the picture at all right now. Heck, my wife would kill me if I spent the money on headers, plus I am don't have the time to install them even if I did have the money as I am putting in other lower cost upgrades, and mixing some issues at the same time (front sway bar is broken, so I am getting a better one and a new rear to boot)...

My question is just about the PLOGs. Trust me when I say this. I will NOT be getting headers for this car. I am sure that others have made that claim in the past just to end up with headers in the end, but I am just looking for some performance boosts for driving around, and the cost vs. benefit for what I want with this car just doesn't have headers in the picture. Thanks anyway for trying to convince me. Again, I know that it would be better for performance, but just not in the cards for me.

**04CompG** · 08-03-2009

I've got a new generation plog that is not stainless. Its been on my car for about 6 months and just started cracking. I'm getting it locally welded tomorrow and planning for headers in the spring.

If you are going to get a plog get the stainless one.

**blueguy** · 08-03-2009

Originally Posted by Iron Indian

Not to sound like a smart ass or anything, but how does headers mess up your car to not make it a good DD anymore? If thats the case, I got a full blown race car and I didn't even know it.

Headers FTW, they will not ruin a DD. You won't even know you have em...

Oh I know they don't mess anything up...I had told him over PM's to get them but he didn't want to spend the money on headers...I love them...I DD'ed mine over a year so far and have had no issues after welding them shut...which btw...it only took us about 30 minutes to pull the headers out from start to finish

Gotta love a two piece design

**Iron Indian** · 08-03-2009

Originally Posted by 04CompG

If you are going to get a plog get the stainless one.

And if anyone is planning on dropping that kinda coin for an SS version, you might as well get headers...

**Iron Indian** · 08-03-2009

Originally Posted by bluegtp91

Oh I know they don't mess anything up...I had told him over PM's to get them but he didn't want to spend the money on headers...I love them...I DD'ed mine over a year so far and have had no issues after welding them shut...which btw...it only took us about 30 minutes to pull the headers out from start to finish

Gotta love a two piece design

He ain't saving much money by not going with headers. Especially with the performance/cost ratio, oh well.

I had coated Pacesetters in my garage for 6 months. I was planning on welding them into a two piece design like you did. They were brand new and never used. Only reason I sold them is because I got a hell of a deal on new ceramic coated TOGs.

**nickbuol** · 08-04-2009

Maybe I should rename this thread to the "I want to know about PLOGs, but tell me how I should have gotten headers" thread.

I've already got the downpipe installed, so getting headers at this point, even if they were in the plans, would be even more cost prohibitive.

I've heard you about the headers, and so has everyone else here. Thank you for your opinion and suggestions for everyone. The SS PLOG and the 3" downpipe with cat that I already have will end up costing me just around $400. The Pacesetters start at about $400, but are more involved to install, and cost more to install as well. In the end, that cost is NOT a huge deal, and there are known benefits to headers over a PLOG/Downpipe setup, so looking back, maybe it would have been the wiser move to make, but I was getting feedback from several sources, not bluegtp91, saying that a good set of headers would set me back at least $650 for the parts and another $100-$200 for someone to install them.

So I made the decision to spend $450 (damn rusty bolts wouldn't come off my old downpipe, so I had to take it in), instead of potentially $850 with headers. I am sure that I could have gotten something cheaper based off of your posts, but I went with the information I had at the time. I am sure that I will still see good improvements once I am all done. Heck, I am seeing a nice little boost in performance with the downpipe upgrade. And low and behold, I DO notice a different exhaust note. Not a huge difference, but it does stay "deeper" when accelerating. Once I get the FWI and PLOG installed so that it can breathe better, I think that I will still be really happy.

**BillBoost37** · 08-04-2009

I have seen and heard that they all can crack. Personally I have one on the shelf and one day I'll install it. Black ceramic coated IIRC. if it cracks, it comes off, gets rewelded and the problem is fixed. IMO it's a good mod for the cost when buying used.