Wasn't so sure that this has been covered, so I thought I'd post a little "how-to" for cleaning a TPI intake. There are a few things to watch out for and I'd hate to see someone ruin an engine because of an incorrect cleaning process.
Equipment used:
- garden hose
- parts washer ($100.00)
- parts washer solvent ($60.00 for 10 gallons)
- sand blasting cabinet (home built)
- glass bead
- air compressor
- 9/16 allen wrench (lower intake's bottom plugs)
- chrome steel ***** (to remove dents from runners)
I used the garden hose to get any junk off the intake (leaves, loose dirt, etc). I soaked the setup in the parts washer and brushed off as much dirt, grime, and carbon I could. I'm trying to keep the least amount of dirt in my sand blasting cabinet. I pulled the plugs out of the bottom of the intake by heating them with a torch and using a 9/16 allen wrench. I bead blasted the entire intake (takes a long time), then blew it out with air thoroughly. The bottom plugs can be installed again with red locktite. I removed the dents from the runners using chrome steel ***** I purchased on ebay. They don't make the runners as perfect as new, but very close.
It is very important that the bottom plugs are removed during cleaning. There are small holes in the intake runners that suck air into the bottom of the intake (where the plugs are). These passage ways can get dirt in them...especially if bead blasting the intake. You won't want a deposit of media (sand, glass bead, etc) in those passages).
I sent the injectors off to Rich at Cruzin Performance and will be sending the throttle body off to get bored to 52mm and have new bushings installed for the throttle shaft.
Before:
After:
Notice that the coolant eats away at the aluminum. The threads are half missing. This is definitely something to watch out for when purchasing a used TPI setup. The same thing happens to the aluminum water necks and the lower IAC housing plate.
Equipment used:
- garden hose
- parts washer ($100.00)
- parts washer solvent ($60.00 for 10 gallons)
- sand blasting cabinet (home built)
- glass bead
- air compressor
- 9/16 allen wrench (lower intake's bottom plugs)
- chrome steel ***** (to remove dents from runners)
I used the garden hose to get any junk off the intake (leaves, loose dirt, etc). I soaked the setup in the parts washer and brushed off as much dirt, grime, and carbon I could. I'm trying to keep the least amount of dirt in my sand blasting cabinet. I pulled the plugs out of the bottom of the intake by heating them with a torch and using a 9/16 allen wrench. I bead blasted the entire intake (takes a long time), then blew it out with air thoroughly. The bottom plugs can be installed again with red locktite. I removed the dents from the runners using chrome steel ***** I purchased on ebay. They don't make the runners as perfect as new, but very close.
It is very important that the bottom plugs are removed during cleaning. There are small holes in the intake runners that suck air into the bottom of the intake (where the plugs are). These passage ways can get dirt in them...especially if bead blasting the intake. You won't want a deposit of media (sand, glass bead, etc) in those passages).
I sent the injectors off to Rich at Cruzin Performance and will be sending the throttle body off to get bored to 52mm and have new bushings installed for the throttle shaft.
Before:
After:
Notice that the coolant eats away at the aluminum. The threads are half missing. This is definitely something to watch out for when purchasing a used TPI setup. The same thing happens to the aluminum water necks and the lower IAC housing plate.
Supreme Member
John Millican
Supreme Member
close
Dec 25, 2013
Long ago when I was building a TPI engine I had a filthy TPI intake. I took it to a cylinder head shop and he cleaned it with same results as yours for $75. I dropped it off and picked it up the next day. Very convenient and saved me hours behind the sand blaster (which I have).
Looks good!
Looks good!
holy crap that cleaned up well. I just used a degreaser and then painted mine up cause I had no idea you could really get it that clean being bare cast aluminum.
