I took the intake plenum off and the gaskets (upper runner gaskets and throttle body gasket) came off really easily, they're not damaged or anything, im wondering if i can reuse these or do i have to buy new ones? cause the bolts weren't even on that tight on these.

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- David
88' GTA 5.7L TPI MODS---> air foil, K&N, Shift Kit, 180* therm, TB bypass, Gutted CAT, Flowmaster 80 Series

http://www.geocities.com/david_angel_16

[This message has been edited by breathment (edited November 03, 2001).]

 

you can definitely reuse those, they will last forever if you need them to..

 

I don't think the question you should be asking is "can I reuse these"! The question you should really be asking to yourself is.. "how soon do I want to take these runners and throttle body off again". Those gaskets will NOT last forever and you might as well replace them while you have the runners and throttle body off. The throttle body gasket kit to replace all the gaskets on the throttle body is less than $5 and I don't imagine the runner gaskets are gonna be much more than that.

 

runner gaskets are $25 + T.B. gasket $5.
how many other people have reused their gaskets, mine seem to be in perfect shape.

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- David
88' GTA 5.7L TPI MODS---> air foil, K&N, Shift Kit, 180* therm, TB bypass, Gutted CAT, Flowmaster 80 Series

http://www.geocities.com/david_angel_16

 

Reuse them then. It's your car. I just don't believe in taking a shortcut when it's only $30 that has to be spent.

 

well thats why im asking for for people who are have reused them, if alot of people say to replace them, and only a few say to reuse, then im gonna get some new ones.

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- David
88' GTA 5.7L TPI MODS---> air foil, K&N, Shift Kit, 180* therm, TB bypass, Gutted CAT, Flowmaster 80 Series

http://www.geocities.com/david_angel_16

 

If they are in perfect shape, as were mine, reuse them. The only reason I ever changed mine was because new ones came with my afpr and my base. I still have my old ones in a box somewhere, in great shape. My throttle body one did have a crack in it, so I had to replace it, but that took less than five minutes.

 

save yourself a headache and just replace them now. unless the aggravation of pulling everything off a second time to replace them doesnt bother you...

for the cost it just makes sense to change them

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87 IROC-z 305 TPI
Borg Warner T-5 fresh rebuild
10-bolt 3.73 Richmond gears rebuilt GM posi,
formerly BW 9-bolt w/3.45 gears(broke it)
Ported Plenum and Runners Homemade AFPR
ACCEL 8.8 wires, High output coil,and cap & rotor
Bosch platinum + 4 plugs
Ram Air w/ K&N filters,
MAF sensor screens removed, TB coolant bypass
Polyurethane tranny and torque arm mounts
Dynomax catback w/custom tips
K&N oil filter,Mobil 1 synth, Futura GLS Super Sport tires 265/50/15 rear and 235/60/15 front mounted on 86 monte carlo SS rims ,

400 sbc and a 6 spd in the works

 

You can use the plentum gaskets over! When i was suping up my vett, i was into the motor on a monthly basis. I kid you not, i probally reused my plentum gaskets 5, maybe 6times and I never had a vacume leak! If you bend them or tear the gasket material, then yes, you must replace the gasket.

 

I wouldn't worry about reusing the upper plenum gasket/ TB gasket on a SD car. A slight vacuum leak there wll basically be negligible, the only ill efect will be a few less IAC counts at idle.
The lower gaskets would just be inviting trouble IMO. A vacuum leak down there will run one hole lean, if on the driver's side it'll skew the O2 lean and make the rest of the engine run rich. If on the pass. side you'll have a perpetually lean hole.
I think i paid $19 at pep boys for the complete fel pro TPI gasket set w/ runner and TB gaskets. If you have the TB coolant bypassed you really dont need that gasket, you can seal the IAC passage with a quick coat of sensor safe RTV. Same with the TB cover plate gasket.

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Ed Maher - Moderator @ The TPI & Carb Boards
92 Z28 Convertible - Quasar blue / Tan top
305 TPI A4 2.73 - 14.7 @ 93.6
Stock except ported plenum and dual cats
-=ICON Motorsports=-

- Definitely prototypes, high powered mutants of some kind. Too weird to live, too cool to die