TPI Plenum help
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From: MN
Car: 1989 Formy droptop/88 Deville
Engine: L98 350 TPI
Transmission: factory RWD, WS6 susp
TPI Plenum help
I'm still looking for some visual help on this... I misplaced my plastic plenum cover screws when removing it to work on the car.
I can't seem to locate them now... I just need a nice digital shot of the screws in macro to help my search Thanks
BILL
I can't seem to locate them now... I just need a nice digital shot of the screws in macro to help my search Thanks
BILL
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From: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
If it helps I seem to remember that they are 3 buttonhead torx Head screws about 5/16" or 1/4" long...
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: MN
Car: 1989 Formy droptop/88 Deville
Engine: L98 350 TPI
Transmission: factory RWD, WS6 susp
I'd guessed they might match the others, but no dice as of yet. I may have to upgrade my wiring anyway, but along with taking this off, I had also removed the dome hood vent. I personally feel it offers more cooling then having it on, any thoughts?
Of course, I live in hot and cold extremes, and it has stayed off. I don't think it's effected too much as the engine does run somewhat hot as the 350 appears to
BILL
Of course, I live in hot and cold extremes, and it has stayed off. I don't think it's effected too much as the engine does run somewhat hot as the 350 appears to
BILL
Last edited by Bill Speed; Nov 29, 2004 at 06:40 AM.
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From: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Dome hood vent...
Are you referring to the whole assembly, or just the block off plate?
I know by removing the block off plate you will force more air into your engine compartment. Any speed above 45 Mph the air is forced IN, not sucked out as one would expect...
I took some kleenex streemers and taped them to the top of the buldge, and at speed they would stick to the screen... pretty cool really
... Kleenex is really HIGH tech too 
John
Are you referring to the whole assembly, or just the block off plate?
I know by removing the block off plate you will force more air into your engine compartment. Any speed above 45 Mph the air is forced IN, not sucked out as one would expect...
I took some kleenex streemers and taped them to the top of the buldge, and at speed they would stick to the screen... pretty cool really
... Kleenex is really HIGH tech too 
John
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From: Howard Beach, NYC
Car: 1990 TA
Engine: LB9 305
Transmission: 4L60
Originally posted by okfoz
If it helps I seem to remember that they are 3 buttonhead torx Head screws about 5/16" or 1/4" long...
If it helps I seem to remember that they are 3 buttonhead torx Head screws about 5/16" or 1/4" long...
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,298
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From: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
I thought the Torx bolts in the distributor cover were more like a Button head/Round Head, whereas the ones for the Throttlebody was more squared off like a Machine Head...
John
John
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From: Howard Beach, NYC
Car: 1990 TA
Engine: LB9 305
Transmission: 4L60
Well, I did say nearly identical. The plenum ext screw also has a thin washer.
Other than that they're pretty much the same. Both screws are the same length. Should be enough to go on, I hope.
So take a TB plate screw, and imagine it having a pan head. I would think that would help more than trying to compare to a photo.
Other than that they're pretty much the same. Both screws are the same length. Should be enough to go on, I hope.
So take a TB plate screw, and imagine it having a pan head. I would think that would help more than trying to compare to a photo.
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From: Massachusetts
Car: candy blue 85 z28
Engine: 305 tpi LB9
Transmission: 700r4 crazy beefed up one
Axle/Gears: ones with teeth
good time to upgrade to the vette alum extension as you need new screws for it when you install it anyway
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From: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
They used Aluminum on the Vettes???
That would seem to be a bad choice... I would see where the ignition could arc to the Plenum... But GM knows best right?
John
That would seem to be a bad choice... I would see where the ignition could arc to the Plenum... But GM knows best right?
John
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 604
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From: Howard Beach, NYC
Car: 1990 TA
Engine: LB9 305
Transmission: 4L60
Originally posted by okfoz
They used Aluminum on the Vettes???
That would seem to be a bad choice... I would see where the ignition could arc to the Plenum... But GM knows best right?
They used Aluminum on the Vettes???
That would seem to be a bad choice... I would see where the ignition could arc to the Plenum... But GM knows best right?
According to others on here, you cannot use the same screws from your old plenum ext if you go with an Al piece. No one every explained why though from what I can see.
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,705
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From: Washington
Car: Recaro Option T/A
Engine: 305 Tuned Port Injection
Transmission: Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3:27 Borg Warner
Metal to plastic, no problem.
Metal to another type of metal, problem, thats what I'm thinking anyway, perhaps the Al version uses zinc coated fasteners ?
Don
Metal to another type of metal, problem, thats what I'm thinking anyway, perhaps the Al version uses zinc coated fasteners ?
Don
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,298
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From: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Originally posted by 85 T/A WS6
Metal to plastic, no problem.
Metal to another type of metal, problem, thats what I'm thinking anyway, perhaps the Al version uses zinc coated fasteners ?
Don
Metal to plastic, no problem.
Metal to another type of metal, problem, thats what I'm thinking anyway, perhaps the Al version uses zinc coated fasteners ?
Don
John
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,906
Likes: 240
From: Chicagoland Suburbs
Car: 1989 Trans Am GTA
Engine: LT1, AFR 195cc, 231/239 LE cam.
Transmission: M28 T56
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10bolt waiting to explode.
I know by removing the block off plate you will force more air into your engine compartment. Any speed above 45 Mph the air is forced IN, not sucked out as one would expect...
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From: Howard Beach, NYC
Car: 1990 TA
Engine: LB9 305
Transmission: 4L60
Originally posted by okfoz
That may be it... The Steel Screws could cause the Aluminum to Corode... BUT, the Plenum is Aluminum
That may be it... The Steel Screws could cause the Aluminum to Corode... BUT, the Plenum is Aluminum
No mention from the original poster if he still needs that pic...
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,330
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From: MN
Car: 1989 Formy droptop/88 Deville
Engine: L98 350 TPI
Transmission: factory RWD, WS6 susp
Aside from the awol screws... I need a rearview mirror button as well...anyone??
Bill (Thanx, BTW)
Bill (Thanx, BTW)
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,298
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From: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27
Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
Originally posted by Bill Speed
Aside from the awol screws... I need a rearview mirror button as well...anyone??
Bill (Thanx, BTW)
Aside from the awol screws... I need a rearview mirror button as well...anyone??
Bill (Thanx, BTW)
John
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,906
Likes: 240
From: Chicagoland Suburbs
Car: 1989 Trans Am GTA
Engine: LT1, AFR 195cc, 231/239 LE cam.
Transmission: M28 T56
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10bolt waiting to explode.
Its the little metal button that attaches to the windshield so you can screw the mirror onto the windshield.
You can buy a new button at Autozone, Napa, or any other parts store.
Just don't put it on upside down!!! That glue they give you is strong enough that after only 30 seconds it will break the glass if you pry it off.
You can buy a new button at Autozone, Napa, or any other parts store.
Just don't put it on upside down!!! That glue they give you is strong enough that after only 30 seconds it will break the glass if you pry it off.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Howard Beach, NYC
Car: 1990 TA
Engine: LB9 305
Transmission: 4L60
Originally posted by okfoz
They used Aluminum on the Vettes???
That would seem to be a bad choice... I would see where the ignition could arc to the Plenum... But GM knows best right?
They used Aluminum on the Vettes???
That would seem to be a bad choice... I would see where the ignition could arc to the Plenum... But GM knows best right?
A little convoluted tubing fixed that though. Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 12,223
Likes: 1,148
From: Il
Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
The al cover uses a button head torx screw beveled on the bottom side of the head.. I have some factory covers and screws laying around ..
EDIT I looked at the screws when I got home and the ones for the AL cover are a panhead type torx with a flat bottom instead of a beveled bottom...

EDIT I looked at the screws when I got home and the ones for the AL cover are a panhead type torx with a flat bottom instead of a beveled bottom...
Last edited by TTOP350; Dec 2, 2004 at 10:06 PM.
The aluminum plenum extension has smaller counter bores than the plastic extension hence the different screws.
Also If anyone is interested a have the GM screws for the plastic extension that I would like to trade for the screws for the aluminum extension.
Also If anyone is interested a have the GM screws for the plastic extension that I would like to trade for the screws for the aluminum extension.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: MN
Car: 1989 Formy droptop/88 Deville
Engine: L98 350 TPI
Transmission: factory RWD, WS6 susp
Originally posted by Thirdgen89GTA
Its the little metal button that attaches to the windshield so you can screw the mirror onto the windshield.
You can buy a new button at Autozone, Napa, or any other parts store.
Just don't put it on upside down!!! That glue they give you is strong enough that after only 30 seconds it will break the glass if you pry it off.
Its the little metal button that attaches to the windshield so you can screw the mirror onto the windshield.
You can buy a new button at Autozone, Napa, or any other parts store.
Just don't put it on upside down!!! That glue they give you is strong enough that after only 30 seconds it will break the glass if you pry it off.
I can try Napa I suppose. I have the 'repair kit with glue a prep supplies...but, sadly, no replacement button. The button did get lost while the car was trailored due to fuel pump 'death'
If you have extra plenum screws, send 'em my way!
Thanx
Thread Starter
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From: MN
Car: 1989 Formy droptop/88 Deville
Engine: L98 350 TPI
Transmission: factory RWD, WS6 susp
Originally posted by Goumba T
They're nearly identical to the screws in the TB plate. Take one out, and you won't need a photo.
They're nearly identical to the screws in the TB plate. Take one out, and you won't need a photo.
Thanks and sorry I missed that, hurry ya'know
BILL
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