I am exploring options to upgrading the heads and possibly the intake manifold on my TPI engine. I thought I would share the following information on the cost of Extrude Honing which comes right from the company that performs this procedure.



Hello the cost to Extrude Hone process your TPI intake system is $195 for the upper intake $435 for the lower intake manifold and $270 for the runner set. The turn around time is app. 2 weeks. Remove all loose fitting etc. Box the pieces up securely to not get damaged in shipping. Include a packing list with your name , day time phone number and return shipping address. We will call for payment when the part have arrived at Extrude Hone for processing. The shipping address is listed below. Thanks,

Rick Miller
Automotive Project Manager
rick.miller@kennametal.com
T 724.861.8694
T 800.613.1065
M 724-396-1512
F 724-863-8759

 

I contacted them over 10 years ago trying to get that same information and they were so rude about it I'll never use them for anything nor recommend them.

 

I personally toured their facility in Pennsylvania and met with a few people including Rick Miller.I would recommend their services to anyone. Good guys and they do great work. Their focus is more towards the mass market of quality controlling injectors to balance flow rates, etc.

The setup of the part to extrude hone something is pretty time consuming and I don't think it would be worth the money to have it done to a stock TPI setup. Yes, you will gain power, but I think it could be better spent on a much better flowing design such as the HSR and other comparable intakes.

 

I had mine done here in CA, I guess that place in Paramount, CA? It was few years ago.
I think it cost under $800 for intake, runners, and plenum. They may have a package deal.
I happened to have the motor apart for awhile and money to burn. They had it done quickly but I didn't have to ship.

It has its merits. I don't recommend it unless you are trying to keep it looking stock, or have a setup you really like.
(I have aftermarke intake and runners.) I'm pretty happy with my mild combination... (Don't want to keep smoking my trans.) And also have to keep it smog legal.
But if you are into swapping out new intakes and stuff, or you think you might change in a year or so, I'd say money is better spent elsewhere.

 

Ok thank you for these comments they are helpful as a consensus is emerging here.

My new GM 5.0 litre was installed about 35,000 miles ago with a Comp cam and Heddman shorty headers. I am considering better heads and am tending towards Trick Flow but I have not made that decision yet. I have new FMR injectors and Holley AFPR and ported plenum. I have the 187 swirl port heads.

My thinking is for this engine to stay with the stock intake manifold and runners as it is just a 5.0 litre, despite better flowing heads. I may just gasket match the new heads to the stock base and see what bumps can be removed and smoothing can be done to the inside of the stock intake manifold.

I factory ordered the car in 1989 and have owned it since. In the future when this engine starts to go I may install a 5.7 litre engine. At that time I will consider upgrading the induction system for better flow for the bigger engine’s requirements.

I discovered the Thirdgen website after I installed the 5.0 litre engine a few years ago, otherwise I would have done thinks a little differently especially with regards to the 187 heads.

 

now say you were runnin a 383, would it be worth it to have an aftermarket edelbrock lower and AS&M runners honed? or would you be throwing money away?

 

I don't believe the AS&M runners can be honed since they are not cast. The walls are already very thin