TPI Tuned Port Injection discussion and questions. LB9 and L98 tech, porting, tuning, and bolt-on aftermarket products.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

TPI Runner Dent

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-22-2013, 09:06 AM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
SRKLEGIN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Roy, Utah
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1986 IROC-Z
Engine: 90-95 ZZ4 Crate 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4 4spd Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3:73
TPI Runner Dent

Morning all,
I was wondering if anybody has successfully removed dents from their TPI Runners. I have a large one on my RH forward runner. Thanks for any help you can give me. If not, do you know of anyone who would like to sell a complete set of runners for a 1986 IROC-Z 305/LB9 motor?

Thanks, Steve
Old 09-22-2013, 09:28 AM
  #2  
Moderator

iTrader: (1)
 
RBob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Chasing Electrons
Posts: 18,405
Likes: 0
Received 216 Likes on 202 Posts
Car: check
Engine: check
Transmission: check
Re: TPI Runner Dent

Some have used a steel ball and pushed it through. Others have filled the runner with water and froze it. Either outside in the Winter or in a freezer.

RBob.
Old 09-22-2013, 09:39 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
peterc005's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 839
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 1988 IROC Camaro (RHD)
Engine: 350 ci L98 SBC
Transmission: T700
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt BW, Disk, Posi-traction
Re: TPI Runner Dent

I've been thinking about buying this TPI dent removal kit from ebay to repair my dented runners:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/3TUNED-PO...-/370509104812

It's a steel ball that is also supposed to stretch the TPI runners for better airflow.
Old 09-22-2013, 10:23 AM
  #4  
Member

 
darbysan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 1985 El Camino Choo Choo
Engine: L31 Crate 350 w/ TPI
Transmission: GN 200-4r
Axle/Gears: GN 8.5 3.73
Re: TPI Runner Dent

I tried the frozen water trick, but with no success. I purchased a set of the runner *****, and they worked pretty good. It is not a "Plug and Play" solution, though. You have to grind down the port on one side to get the ***** inside the runner, and then you have to be very careful you don't "Over-do" the stretching. I did, and wound up with a series of small bumps from the series of ***** inside the runner. It will work, but you just need patience.

If you only have one dent, I have also heard of some success using a box or opened end wrench to fit into the tube, and gently turning to push the dent out.
Old 09-22-2013, 12:20 PM
  #5  
Sponsor

iTrader: (92)
 
Tuned Performance's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Mile High Country !!!
Posts: 15,458
Received 669 Likes on 592 Posts
Car: 1967 Camaro, 91 z28
Engine: Lb9
Transmission: M20
Axle/Gears: J65 pbr on stock posi 10bolt
Re: TPI Runner Dent

The trick with the water method it to freeze it for a few hours then remove it and heat the dent with a propane torch until the ice starts to melt then toss it back in the freezer. it takes several applications and when you forget the runner in the freezer your wife will think you have a screw loose.
Old 09-22-2013, 03:20 PM
  #6  
Member
 
86iroct5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Milltown, NJ
Posts: 390
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 86 iroc, 02 v6 camaro
Engine: 350 HSR, 3800 V6
Transmission: T56, WCT5
Axle/Gears: 9in 4.11 posi, 3.23 LSD
Re: TPI Runner Dent

are the runners easily damaged? never heard of this before the only way i can see it happening is when the runners are off the car. last time i had my intake off i was pretty rough with it, i didnt realize they were that fragile
Old 09-22-2013, 03:44 PM
  #7  
Supreme Member

 
eseibel67's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Kitchener, ON
Posts: 2,327
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 5 Posts
Car: 1988 GTA
Engine: LB9
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.45
Re: TPI Runner Dent

Oh yes, they are VERY soft. You can easily push them in if you lean on them, or if you drop a 15mm wrench on them it will leave a dimple.
Old 09-24-2013, 10:02 PM
  #8  
Member

 
APACHE JOHN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: FARMINGTON AR
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1991 Z28
Engine: 350 TPI RAMJET COMING
Transmission: T56
Re: TPI Runner Dent

Freeze works great ! I used the chest freezer in my garage, maybe because the did was in the center instead of on a end
Old 09-28-2013, 09:37 AM
  #9  
Supreme Member
 
rusty vango's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: knoxville tn
Posts: 2,036
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Car: 86 IROC
Engine: 5.0 TPI
Transmission: 700-R-4
Axle/Gears: 2.73 open
Re: TPI Runner Dent

Originally Posted by SRKLEGIN
Morning all,
I was wondering if anybody has successfully removed dents from their TPI Runners. I have a large one on my RH forward runner. Thanks for any help you can give me. If not, do you know of anyone who would like to sell a complete set of runners for a 1986 IROC-Z 305/LB9 motor?

Thanks, Steve
a damn fine reason to get a set of SLP runners!!
Old 09-30-2013, 09:12 AM
  #10  
Member
Thread Starter
 
SRKLEGIN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Roy, Utah
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1986 IROC-Z
Engine: 90-95 ZZ4 Crate 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4 4spd Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3:73
Re: TPI Runner Dent

Originally Posted by rusty vango
a damn fine reason to get a set of SLP runners!!
Yeah, but darn, the price tag for the Edelbrock Runners are a bit steep ($459.00)
Old 09-30-2013, 09:13 AM
  #11  
Member
Thread Starter
 
SRKLEGIN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Roy, Utah
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1986 IROC-Z
Engine: 90-95 ZZ4 Crate 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4 4spd Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3:73
Re: TPI Runner Dent

Originally Posted by APACHE JOHN
Freeze works great ! I used the chest freezer in my garage, maybe because the did was in the center instead of on a end
How did you cap the ends? Tubing caps, or aluminum tape?

Steve
Old 10-02-2013, 11:06 PM
  #12  
Member

 
APACHE JOHN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: FARMINGTON AR
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1991 Z28
Engine: 350 TPI RAMJET COMING
Transmission: T56
Re: TPI Runner Dent

Originally Posted by SRKLEGIN
How did you cap the ends? Tubing caps, or aluminum tape?

Steve
I didn't left it in there for about a week. Spare set I ebayed. I had forgot about them until the wife said what is that in the freezer? lol
Old 01-13-2014, 03:39 PM
  #13  
Junior Member
 
robyyo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: TPI Runner Dent

This is an older thread but I had trouble figuring out how to take the dents out so I'm putting this out there. First I ground down the lip where the runner meets the flange using a carbide burr. Then I hit it with a 120 grit cartridge roll where the lip was and a little inside the runner tube, but I didn't get too heavy with it. After that I sprayed a bunch of WD-40 into the runner. After the oil I put a 1 &1/2" diameter chrome steel ball into the tube and using a ball peen hammer smacked it down as far as I could. Then I put a 1 & 3/8" ball in and smacked that down, then a 1 & 7/16 ball and once again I smacked that sucker down. All in all it took 1- 1&1/2" ball, 1- 1 & 3/8" and 5 1 & 7/16" ***** but it worked and worked pretty well. Just make sure you don't hit the flange when using the hammer.
Old 01-13-2014, 08:27 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
peterc005's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 839
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 1988 IROC Camaro (RHD)
Engine: 350 ci L98 SBC
Transmission: T700
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt BW, Disk, Posi-traction
Re: TPI Runner Dent

How long did it take for all 8 runners?

Do you think the runners would flow any better now?
Old 01-14-2014, 12:30 AM
  #15  
Junior Member
 
robyyo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: TPI Runner Dent

Originally Posted by peterc005
How long did it take for all 8 runners?

Do you think the runners would flow any better now?
It took a little over an hour, and yes it really opens them up. The tubes look a lot fatter and it eliminates the indentation that is supposed to be for the bolts. The important thing is to ground down the lip and try not to hit the flange too much with the hammer.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tazs2000
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
3
07-15-2017 08:44 AM
stalkier
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
1
12-06-2015 11:25 PM
Hawkeye1980
TPI
15
08-31-2015 07:09 AM
Sanjay
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
1
08-12-2015 03:41 PM



Quick Reply: TPI Runner Dent



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:13 AM.