Ok, I pulled my mainfold off to replace the gaskets. Now that I'm in there, I noticed that maybe my knock sensors are causing some of my issues? In the cab when I put load on the engine in 4th I can actually hear air whistling....which means air leak. Also, is there supposed to be some sort of gasket where that thing goes into the top of the intake in the front (the thing that wiggles around even if the bolt is tight)?? Also noticed I guess Im burning a lot more oil than I thought since my head ports were full of oil and they've only been on since the spring.

 

Hmm....see if you guys see what I'm seeing...I can't imagine the gaskets I pulled off are supposed to look like this. This might be my problem.

 

yep, they look really flat. changing the sensors only takes like an hour, I wouldn't do it unless i was getting a code for them..

 

Im just really really hoping this fixes my knock problem so that I can finally get a blackbear tune in. This thing's a f'kn turd on a stock lq4 tune

 

Those are just the rubber caps over the knock sensors. They're going to be dirty. I'd clean up the area for sure and build an RTV dam like a lot of people suggest.

Also I'd look into changing your PCV valve and installing a catch can, looks like its pulling a lot of oil up through the PCV system.

 

Did you install the catch can on yours? I thought usually that was reserved for FI people.

 

I am running a catch can on my truck....

 

No but if I had the extra money I would. A catch can is good for any application, it is just more of a necessity with a F/I setup.

 

If I had extra money I wouldn't be dealing with this old garbage

 

Make sure you clean up the heads before installing that intake...