Hey guys. I have some questions that hopefully you guys can answer for me. I am getting ready to replace my valve cover gaskets because they are leaking and I am tired of smelling burning oil. In saying that I should probably also replace my upper intake and lower intake gaskets due to the crappy gaskets GM put on. Would it be best to get a whole new plastic upper intake? I know Dorman makes them and they are supposed to be better than the stock ones. So should I buy a dorman, get one from the dealer, or not even touch it? I just want to prevent any future problems and if I am already going to be replacing gaskets I may as well do the intake ones as well even if they aren't leaking...yet. Also is there anything else that anyone thinks I should replace while I am doing these gaskets? The car is a 2002 Monte SS with 96,000 miles. Thanks!

 

Just get a new stock upper intake and make sure you get extra coolant elbows, those will break. its not a bad idea to replace some vacuum lines while you're at it either.

 

I've got 3 maybe 4(2 Metal L26 ones and 1 L36 possibly two, actually I'm almost positive 2) if you need an extra.

 

Make sure the LIM gaskets you put in are the Fel-Pro Aluminum ones, and then you should never worry about the LIM gaskets again.
As stated earlier, get the plastic elbows. They are $5 and will probably need replaced anyways.

As for replacing the LIM, my stance, not broken, don't fix it. Yes, people have had problem with the stock ones. I believe the Bonneville guys recommend the APN brand for aftermarket replacement. But from what I understand, and I did this to my own car, if the factory LIM is not bad (no signs of melting plastic inside), you really need a narrow stove pipe (short pipe coming up from the EGR port on the LIM that goes up into the UIM behind the throttle body, can't miss it when you take things apart). When you buy the Dorman UIM gasket kit, it comes with a replacement stove pipe (narrower then the original one). Pop that guy in and from what I understand you just reduced your potential problems.

 

I'm with everyone if the UIM isn't broken, don't fix it.

Good time to buy yourself some service manuals

 

Thanks for the input guys. I think I am going to order all the stuff I need here soon. I might as well do new plugs and wires while I am at it. I am almost at 100,000 miles. I really hope after all of this I have no more issues with my car....even though these are small problems I still really don't have the money to do anything. I'm a poor college student lol. Thanks again!