I'm a bit new to TPI and am having a couple problems and need a little advice. First off, I am wanting to get my plenum and runners off to port and polish them to make them look better and flow better. Well I unbolted the plenum from the runners, and all it does it move like a seesaw, but won't come off. I then removed all the bolts for the runners to the intake and tried to pry it out that way...and still nothing. The runners won't come off, and the plenum won't come out of the car. What is the best method of getting these things off without damaging them from prying too much? All I have to work with is a big screwdriver and that apparently isn't doing me too much good. Secondly, is there any place I could get the big mouth TPI gaskets for relatively cheap? I looked at TPIS and would rather not like to spend $20 for just a gasket set. Would it be a bad idea to use RTV gasket maker after I port the runners and plenum? Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

In addition to the runner to base bolts on the outside, there are a couple facing the inside of the base. as for the plenum, just make sure that you disconnected everything. MAT sensor, brake booster line, etc...

 

Yeah, I found out that the wire loom on the plenum was an actual bolt so I took that off and the plenum came right off. Go figure Still having a little trouble getting the runners off, and I do have all the bolts out, even the ones facing towards the inside of the intake. So maybe I just need to brake the gasket seals or something. Thanks for the input.

 

Are they even loose? They can be a pain with the fuel rails in place.

 

loosen your fuel rail bolts and if your runners are free of bolts they will come out!!!

 

Well guys, I'm a tard. There was a single bolt on each side, hidden by the wire loom on the bottom, that was holding it in. That was definitely a learning experience. I have another question though. What bits would people recommend for siamesing the runners and plenum. I have a dremel and a small cutting bit from WalMart, but it takes forever and I know it won't go very far into the runners to siamese them. Any suggestions.

 

There's not much, if anthing to help with the stock runners, you can clean up the transitions from the pleneum, that's about it.

As far as bits, not sure whats available for the dremel, but when I grind AL. I use cheapo-imported carbide bits and WD-40.