Before anyone says anything, I am aware there are a ton of old threads on porting the TPI Plenum/Runners. Most however are from the late 2000s and early 2010s when the TPI aftermarket was larger and being able to gasket match was way easier. Now it's 2023 and most people are converting to carbs or LS Swapping.

For those of us that like the TPI system (despite it's flaws). What are our options for after market performance gaskets? I know Fel-Pro makes a stock replacement set but what about a set for porting?

 

https://www.holley.com/products/disc...duct/parts/146 these? They've been around and the same forever

 

Are these stock replacement or are they smaller for porting/aftermarket?

 

The Mr. Gaskets from Holley in that link are showing "not available."

TPiS shows "available," but they're probably also by Mr. Gasket, so if TPiS doesn't physically have them on hand, then they're probably not available either. TPiS can be a little slow sometimes, but it's still operating. I got a few things from them early in 2023, and all was well.
Large Tube Runner Gaskets – TPiS (TPI Specialties)

 

As our cars get older, the more our parts disappear.

 

And there are these from Arizona Speed & Marine. AS&M makes the large tube runners, and these are the gaskets they sell for them.
Arizona Speed & Marine Large Tube Runner Gaskets – AZ Speed & Marine

And Scoggins Dickey lists gaskets for the standard size runners, but they're from Mr. Gasket and would be "special ordered," so no telling if they're really available or not. Even though they're stock, I'd think they could still be ported to match, if the stock size is all you can find.
Mr. Gasket 145 - Intake Gasket Set - Performance - 305, 350 Chevrolet Small Block Gen II (LT Based) 1985-91 - Upper Intake Only (sdparts.com)

 

Which is crazy because every other muscle car has a larger aftermarket the older they get. Ours has shrunk quite a bit.

 

One question, how would match the gaskets with the stock size. This will be my first time doing this. A guy I know sold me a second plenum, runners and base for really cheap. He had them lying around from his old third gen.

 

I have the Mr. Gasket #146 large port gasket set traced out on a roll of gasket paper. I did this in 2013 when I bought the gaskets thinking if I ever needed more I would have a pattern.

If anyone has an idea of how I can duplicate the tracing digitally to scale, I would be happy to share.

 

I did this about 3 yrs ago. I used the AS&M gasket set LAFireboyd posted. I also used their oversized runners as you can't port stock runners, the walls are to thin. I also got a used stock plenum and base to work with. I taped the oversized gaskets on the plenum and base and with a sharpie traced out the larger size openings. I used a variety of cutting and sanding tools to open everything up so all openings matched. Below is a link to my thread on how I did it and the tools I used. It's a little time consuming if you plan to fully port the base but I believe it is well worth the effort.

My TPI Breathe Build - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

 

Thanks for sharing this.
Draw a horizontal and vertical line with inch or cm markings on your template near the bottom.

 

You can simply buy gasket paper, (as shown above), then take a smaller ball-peen hammer and tap around the flange edges. The edges of the flange are "sharp" and will cut or at least perforate the paper, then you simply break away the excess and you're left with a perfect shaped and fitting gasket. Each gasket takes about 5 minutes? ...to make.

TAP it....don't HIT it. Tap it. Just taaap it in. Give it a little tappy. Tap tap tap-a-roo. -Happy Gilmore

 

Sorry I haven't got around to doing this yet. I'll see how it fits in my printer/scanner. Scanned with a measurement scale would be perfect.

 

Let me know if these will work when printed out to scale.

 

Lingenfelter sells Mr. Gasket high flow runner gaskets that fit the Accel runners. I used these for my ported Accel runners and SDPC Vortec base. They were close in size but took a little trimming to open them up to match the porting. Stock replacement gaskets don't have enough meat to open them up for large tube runners/base.

https://www.lingenfelter.com/product/L200085000.html

 

@TransamGTA350

Did you purchase them from Lingenfelter?

 

Yes

 

Hey text me 217-473-4998. I am SPR Performance. I do custom laser cut gaskets using Nitrile Buna-n Rubber. 1/8" thick material. I just posted on Facebook replying to someone needed the larger plenum openings.

 

Where about in central IL? Have a picture of your material?

 

feel free to text me at the number I listed