For stock single cat TPI cars isn't the I-pipe 2 3/4'' in diameter and the tail pipes are 2 1/2'' in diameter?

correct.

I can really feel an increase in power now that it essentially has an open exhaust. This morning I stopped by the exhaust shop to discuss what I wanted to do with car. On my way back, I was going about 20 mph and gave it about 50% throttle to get through an intersection, it downshifted into 1st and smoked it's right rear tire for 30 feet.

Once I get everything sorted out, this car NEEDS a posi.

Bring the car over here Charlie. I'll put a posi in it and I'll build whatever exhaust you want if you can't find OEM parts.

Would there be any NOS stuff still hidden somewhere?

Why not run the Magnaflow crossover pipe into a new Magnaflow cat and cat back exhaust kit. The crossover and there cats are all very nice quality.

http://www.magnaflow.com/products?partnumber=16450

I've got a combined ~30k miles on magnaflow cats on my cars running my custom tunes. They have all been great and worked wonderfully, even with my aggressive highway mode AFR.

I should have done some before and afters, but I didn't.

I've had a hard time getting my alternator to look new again and I also had some dirt/stains at the top of my plenum. I've tried all sorts of cleaners to clean them which barely made a difference, but didn't want to resort to strong polishes, since that would change the factory finish, something I did NOT want. The alternator was especially bad, the fan blades were virtually black.

I heard about this Quick-Glo stuff from a video on Jay Leno's garage, so I ordered some. I got the original formula. I even tried it on a corner of one of those OEM mufflers I got and it looks great.

Came out pretty good.

Gorgeous car Charlie!!!!

Thanks Erik, just trying to keep up with your cars.

How is it on the plenum?I have the same spots.

It removed them without making the plenum look like it was polished and retaining a factory finish.

That's good. I goggled it and it's available on Ebay and Amazon.Time to go shopping.
Thanks Charlie.

You're welcome. They have an original formula and fine. I got the original.

Wow! Exactly what Ive been looking for to clean my plenum. Charlie you never cease to amaze me. Ive got old dirt and grease all over the plenum and in the tight areas between that front passenger runner and the TPS area.

How do you apply/remove this stuff? Old toothbrush and rag?

Looks good. The plenum finish is similar sheen to original that matches the plastic distributor cover.


Obviously you are going for an original look. Will need a cover for the diverter valve. Also, I'm not sure, but should the fan and pulley on the alternator be black?

I've seen them both black and natural. I'm 99.9% sure this is the original alternator. The fan in my '89 is silver too, but I think the pulley is black.

EDIT: You made go and look at me '89. It has a black fan and pulley.

What should the cover on the diverter valve look like?

Finger, rag, toothbrush - your choice, my man! But if you have a big area, use a rag. My finger got pretty sore. I think I rubbed off my finger prints. Perfect time to rob that bank.

Diverter valve cover is black with ribs, pops right on, same for several years. Very nice Chaz, that yellow is smooth.

The only thing guys, go slow. Better to have to go over it again than get a too polished look.

The blocky square one? I think that came around '88?

BTW, post pics!

I believe the black diverter cover is the same for all TPI cars regardless of year.

85-86 TPI didn't have covers,what Charlie has is stock.

Correct. That style diverter valve came in '87.

Looks good. I am about top do a few things like this on my yellow one since the blue one sold


Going after the same look.

need to find some non dented runners as well.

It sold? Congrats!

Do a search here, about the runners. You can undent them yourself. There are a couple of methods.

Yes, pretty sure it did. Means I'm going to be spending some time on the yellow car.

Just touch up here and there along with doing valve seals on it.

I have heard of the ball thing and a few other ways. let me see if I see anything new!

I think I am going to but that stuff and clean the valve covers on my TTA. They don't come clean for nothing.

Quick-Glo should send me some free samples.

Look what came in the mail today. My new Phoenix stripes. Gold seems a shade off. Any comments on that?

Shade off from fading? or just a shade off the color?

The new gold is brighter. The old gold is darker/browner.

You most likely won't even notice when it's all changed out.

I just realized that Phoenix has a "premium" stripe kit with the the stripes pre-cut and curved for double the price. Anyone know if they're worth the cost?

Sure are!!their cut to go around the corners on the bumpers and it's a real PITA doing that.They sent me the precut version as a replacement for the Yellowing ones I originally bought from them
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/pict...&dl=1384619350

Yeah, I remember your thread.

I'll call Phoenix Graphix Monday, hopefully they'll give me credit.

I bought the "IROC-Z" graphics from Phoenix a few summers back. They were spot-on as far as color, shape and size to the original. However I have the silver letters and silver/black stripes. Kind of surprised that the gold is off. You're sure the stripes that are on the car are factory? No signs they may have been replaced at one point?

Did you get the "premium" or "economy" ones?

I was fiddling around and moved this wire loom. It crumbled like a soda cracker. WTF! I've already hit eBay for a couple feet of high temp, 1" conduit.

Oh, and I sent back the Phoenix "economy" stripes and ordered the "premium" ones.

Good MoveDon't forget the Slide, it makes the decals slippery
PS,I got that cleaner in today(didn't try it yet on the TA )but I tried it on 1 Polished Aluminum Valve cover this stuff is not for them(scratches bad)this stuff is kinda gritty has sand or pumas in it
I'll try it on the Plenum this weekend.

I just went on their web and found out that the Original Quick-Glo has Pumas in it not sand,they suggest that you use their Fine Quick-Glo for the Stainless.I'll give that a shot next.Well the good thing is,I bought it for the Plenum not the Stainless on the other car.

Yeah, I went with the "Original Formula" hoping it would clean, not polish.

New high temp 3/4" conduit installed. How did I figure out it was 3/4" since it's tricky to measure? Why, because I ordered 4 feet of 1" high temp conduit first, of course.

For the record, if anyone needs it, it is 3/4" high temp.

So I sent back my "economy" stripes to Phoenix Graphix and popped for the higher priced "premium" stripes, but something seems off.



Back to the post office.

Unbelievable!!!!!!!

you're too picky Charlie, that color looks like a dead match from here...

I'm a bit color blind but that stripe looks 100% dead on.

Still haven't put the stripes on. Gotta have a winter project I guess.

I think I'm going to take the driver's seat in for repairs this week. One of the bolsters is ripped. I was able to get a mint passenger seat, removed the cover, put it in the washing machine and will use it's bolster as a donor.

I'll post before and afters....

Before:



I'll have the 'after' tomorrow. The original bolster seat foam was in such bad shape, I had to bring the donor seat back foam to the trim shop to use on the seat.