SLICKMAN

I started polishing my TPI runners and plenum. You can see by the shots I have (The driver and passenger side) how the job is coming, what do ya think? I’m still working on the plenum too, the casting material they used on the plenum has a lot of porosity in it and it makes it VERY hard to polish. I’m not looking for perfection, just a nice looking TPI assembly..


[Modified by 1991C4, 8:55 PM 1/19/2002]

Coot

That looks Great!! What an improvement!


Coot

SlowJoe

Wow! How have you been doing that?

SLICKMAN

Well, I start out with 60 grit sand paper and range it up in the following way. 60, 120, 220 and 400 grit. Then I use 000 steel wool and then take it to the polishing wheel using the stick JR1 polish on the wheel. I have about 10 – 12 hrs in that runner you see..

BobMachus

WOW!! Those look great, I wish mine looked like that, but I don't have the patience. Great work. :cheers:

SLICKMAN

Thanks!! I guess I get a thumbs up :D I was not sure how this was going to come out.. I never did this before..

CowboyNVette

WOW now that looks awesome :eek: You have put a lot of work into those. Be sure and take a picture of the engine when you get through.

yellow86c4

Getting the runners off is alot farther then I got. :confused:

Justin1984

:eek: :eek: wow I'm impressed. How do you get into all the tight spots?? I wonder if I hit the magnesium aircleaner housing on my CFI with some sandpaper if it will come out as nice?? :crazy: :lol:

LPDesRoche

Most likely it will, I know you can polish the magnesium valve covers on a 90. They came out nice..

Great work on that runner....Makes me almost want to do it....almost :D

Justin1984

not if I do it..I would ruin it.

Vic'89

Looks great ! :cheers:

Magic Man

Looks really nice and clean.

cohocarl

Look great! I did my plenum, but thought the runners would be too much work. Wish I had taken the time to do them though. That aluminum really shines up nice.
Carl

SLICKMAN

TThanks everyone!!! Hay Cohocarl!! What did you use to polish the plenum? I'm working on that now and its a PAIN!! The runners seem to be made from alum tubing and flat alum stock and reacted very well to the polishing process. The plenum is a casting and is reacting much Deferent than the runners. :cry


[Modified by 1991C4, 8:56 AM 1/20/2002]

SLICKMAN

I forgot to tell you all, for the tight spots, I used a small polishing wheel on a dremel.

Rob90

Looks great.:cool:


[Modified by Rob90, 12:38 PM 1/20/2002]

cohocarl

Sorry it took so long to get back to you. I'm in the middle of putting together 1 good computer instead of two so-so ones, and my internet access is the 1st thing I transferred, while all my "stuff" is on the other one.

I only took a wire brush to my runners, and they shined up pretty well. I think the runners must be a little softer.
I took a quick pic of the stuff I used to polish up the plenum. Drill press to hold the sanding disk. I started with about an 80 grit, then 200 (was the only weights they had). It takes quite a bit of sanding. Then put in a buffing wheel and buffed with Tripoli compound, then a different buffing wheel with fine jewlers polish on it.
Oh ya, and filled in between the fins with left over Chevy orange engine paint.
Doing this to the fuel rails really makes them noticeable.


Later,

Carl


[Modified by cohocarl, 1:46 PM 1/20/2002]


[Modified by cohocarl, 2:12 PM 1/20/2002]

bogus

that looks soooooo good... I am glad I have an LT1, then I won't be tempted to pull my runners off and polish them!!! :D

congrats on a great job!!!! :yesnod:

your drinking buddy

Now I REALLY wanna polish mine! :yesnod: