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I have a chance to pick these two parts up from someone local but I dont know the back history on the TPIS TPI intakes. I do know there were two different versions of the SLP runners.
My car does not have the 9th injector which these runners are for. Can I still run this intake and runner setup on my car? I assume all I need to do is plug the 9th injector hole up. Not sure what these parts are worth or what they will give me for increased hp/tq. Car has headers, no cats and a Magnaflow catback.
Just looking for advice if it worth it not to buy these parts IF I can get them for under $500.
The TPIS TPI intakes were cast by Edelbrock. They appeared to be the exact casting of the Edelbrock TPIs with the TPIS logo. The only difference was TPIS did a quick clean up of the ports before shipping them out (at a premium price increase).
Those SLP runners are the second or revised version with only a couple inches notched at the top of the runners. The original SLP runners had two runners on each side fully siamesed or fully a larger single runner. Personally, I liked the revised version as my own track testing showed the sweet spot for siamesing was about the halfway point on the typical "400 HP (with a carb)" 350 build.
Yes, you can buy a plug kit for around $30 (ebay) to block off the 9th injector in order to run them. Seems like I remember there being a freeze plug that you can tap into place but I don't know the size. Others have used nickels and JB Weld to block it off. I always just order the ones without the cold-start injector.
You have the TPIS base and the last design set of SLP runners for 85-88 cars which used the same casting for both sides.
Plug the 9th INJ hole with a freeze plug or the ebay kit.
You may have to tap/ plug the upper and lower small air tube hole on the driver side runner for use on the early cars. Bottom hole is right above the 9th inj hole.
Thanks guys. I will have to see what I can dig up for resale cost of these items and go from there. I know they wont give me 20+hp so depending on cost, I may have to let them go. I'm already into this engine $700 between Dyno Don headers and filters. Put another $600 into the runners and intake and all I will manage to gain is maybe 15hp. Not exactly worth it the $1300 investment in parts IMO.
Looks like I can make a deal with the seller to let these go for under $500. I will be using these on a 91.
The intake will not need to be modified at all correct?
Just the plug is needed on the runner and I'm good to go?
I do have a complete stock TPI setup from a previous car (1991) that I don't know what to do with. I do not plan on doing heads and cam on this car right now so would it be in my best interest to just port these stock TPI parts and swap them out or do I stand a chance at making more power with the SLP/TPIS parts? Not looking to build a race car here. Just a weekend cruiser. I just happen to bump into these SLP/TPIS parts by accident.
Using those parts will lighten my wallet by $500 after its all said and done.
Last edited by BOTTLEDZ28; 09-07-2016 at 11:55 AM.
Why? It looks cool. Just look at it! I think it also has more room to be ported more than stock can be, so more future potential if you decide to build things up more.
Pretty much the same reason I'm slapping on a SuperRam upper/lower on my stock engine. 20-30hp gain at the top end, which is kind of nice, but really it's all visual appeal until I rebuild the motor with performance in mind. I don't expect much 'seat of the pants' gain, just a reason to smile when I pop the hood.
Why? It looks cool. Just look at it! I think it also has more room to be ported more than stock can be, so more future potential if you decide to build things up more.
Pretty much the same reason I'm slapping on a SuperRam upper/lower on my stock engine. 20-30hp gain at the top end, which is kind of nice, but really it's all visual appeal until I rebuild the motor with performance in mind. I don't expect much 'seat of the pants' gain, just a reason to smile when I pop the hood.
Well, my dilemma now would be if its worth the money and effort to tear the top of the engine off just to gain maybe 10hp on a car that might get drive 4 times a month. I do have to do new injectors this weekend, thats a given and it would technically be the perfect time to just do the other parts too but I guess Im just torn now. No matter what, I will be put the runners on since I have to remove mine anyway to do the injectors. I just have to convince myself that swapping intakes will be a beneficial swap, even with stock heads and cam.
I picked up these parts, along with a spare TPI setup and a ported and somewhat polished plenum to match the SLP runners for $425. Not a bad deal I guess. Intake, plenum and runners have already been ported. I'll pick up a Felpro 146 gasket kit and call it a day.
Well with the bad luck I have been having with this car since I bought it, this small amount of good luck is helping to tip the scale in the other direction. I am undecided if I should paint the parts or not. I like polished stuff BUT i dont like the constant upkeep that is required to keep those parts shinny. I think I am going to paint the intake in some sort of cast grey/silver finish. Ill see what the parts store has for engine paint/caliper paint.
The runners I was thinking of powder coating black along with having my Hotckis STB done in black as well. This now leaves the plenum and TB. Powder coating the plenum isnt an issue but the TB is since I really dont want to take it all apart. Looks like I have the rest of the week to decide on what I want to do.
Looks like I may have an issue running these parts on a 91. The plenum I got that is ported to match the SLP runners is for a MAF car and does not have the threaded hole on the back passenger side to mount the MAP sensor. It also does not have the vacuum port nipple for the MAP sensor.
If I reuse my plenum from the SD setup then I have an issue with the drivers side runner not matching up to the plenum. See below pic.
I am not using EGR on this car but even with it plugged with a block off plate, I will still get a massive vacuum leak from that runner
Am I looking at this all wrong or what? Technically, I think I could use the older MAF plenum but I'd just have to tuck the MAP sensor out of the way. The MAF plenum also has passenges under it that lead to a triangular hole in the front of the plenum where the TB mount. SD plenum does not have this.
Now I know what you meant when you said that AND now my brain is nodding my head up and down because I remember reading about this very issue with a few guys back in the day. My memory is getting worse by the day.
As for plugging the upper hole on the runner, Im not sure how well a pipe plug will work. Guess it all depends on how well the threads are made in the runner. I wonder if I could just tig weld a plug in it and then make sure its flat along the runner flange surface.
I can technically reuse the MAF plenum though right? I would just need to drill and tap a hole to hold the MAP sensor bracket and then drill and tap a hole for the MAP sensor vacuum line fitting that I can steal from the plenum that came on the car.
LOL, I know the feeling, getting worse daily over my way as well.
I prefer to keep things reversible, just incase..
I use a inset allen head pipe plug, tap a bit deeper than normal then use Teflon pipe sealant.
And yes you could just weld aluminum plugs in it.
What about the option of using the MAF plenum? That plenum is already ported to match the port work on the SLP runners. Granted, it still needs to be modified but it will be a lot less work than having to port the SD plenum
Looks like if I want to use the MAF plenum then I will have to block the passage of air coming in from the front of the plenum at the triangle. This passage feeds air along the bottom of the plenum and into the drivers side runner which then runs down into the 9th injector hole and into the intake where it goes into two small holes in 2 of the 8 intake passages. I think this airway is also tied into the vacuum nipple on the drivers side in the middle of the intake.
So option 1: use SD plenum and plug the hole in the runner. Also have to port the plenum to match the runners.
Option 2: use MAF plenum and plug the trianuglar hole in the front of the plenum as well plug the 9th injector hole on runner. ( I have the plug already). Then, make something to secure the MAP sensor in place and drill and tap the plenum for the MAP line
Looks like TIG welding dirty cast aluminum is an art and no one local wants to mess with it. So, looks like I use the plug I bought for the 9th injector and then use the inset plug on the top. Did you use a 3/8-18 tap and plug? Seems to be the one that is closest in size.
Its been awhile since I have done one but that sounds right. IIRC, I have 2 taps for it, one long and one I cut down so it was easier to go a bit deeper. Don't think that's really needed tho.
Couple things.....
First, TPIS intake is bolted on. Coil bracket needs to be modified to fit due to the casting design of the intake. No big deal.
Second, may be a big deal.... The intake is drilled for the different different style angle on the center bolts. Will this cause any vacuum leaks? I coated the bolts with the same Permatex thread sealant I used on the head bolts.
Third thing,, I bought the Ron Francis 9th injector plug. Not thinking too much into it when I bought it, I figured it was a straight forward installation. Do I just press this thing into place with a little silicone or something?
That's what the Ron Francis plug looks like. Just an aluminum slug. I'm just going to press it in slowly.
I also installed the threaded plug into the back of the runner. I put it on the bottom since the hole on the top was ovaled and wouldn't make great threads with the tap.
08-31-2016, 09:37 AM
