Is there any difference in my 86 TPI set up then off Camaro or Trans Am. See my engine compartment had some fire damage and my parts are still usable, but I would like to get another throttle body and a cleaner upper plenum. I find them on Craig's List for about 200 to 300 for a complete manifold. My question is if it came off a 305 will it effect my motors performance. Thank you for your help.

 

It depends on whether you have aluminum heads or not. Only the base is different between aluminum heads, or cast iron. The plenum must be from a 85 thru 88, so it has the cold start provision. It would be wise to get the throttlebody from the same era, or go aftermarket. There is no difference between Camaro, Corvette, and or 305 vs 350. The exception would be the EGR provisions for the aluminum headed L98 Corvette base only.

 

Thank you I have the old cast iron heads so I should be alright I just need the upper intake and the throttle body so I think I should be alright. I was thinking about getting an aftermarket throttle body but I am trying to this on a budget. Once again thank you

 

You can easily clean up the old stuff if its not warped or bent. Soot and burned crap comes off very easily...wheel acid and wire brush......brand new.

 

Be sure to pull the fuel rail apart and replace all of the O rings. Leaking/deteriorated O rings will make you a candidate for another engine fire. Use Vaseline on the new O rings when you install them so they are slippery and supple.

 

Look on eBay, that stuff is CHEAP. I kinda have a mixed bag on mine. I am using an 87 TA plenum with my 85 runners and base. Keep me posted as I have some stuff on the shelf here. Anyone that has gone with a Superam or FIRST intake will have stuff laying around.

 

..... The fuel supply and return lines are in a different location ... vette vs. F-body .......................

 

Best write up on the differences here: http://www.hotrodlane.cc/PDFFILES/TPIStory.pdf

 

That's what I was thinking also. May be a good time to try your hand at polishing it up. May be able to sand off the marred surface with some medium grade sand paper, then finer sand paper, then rubbing compound, then polishing compound. Runners may be able to be cleaned up with just a wire brush in a drill.

 

 

This is what my plenum looked like after my fire (cleaned up just fine by scrubbing with 409):

 

I would clean it up and paint it with POR-15 If I wanted to go stay stock. Now may be a good time to upgrade the intake.

 

Sorry for some reason every time I try to get back to the forum it would say page not found on thankfully I found it. Thank you for all the great advice I have been pulling it apart and think I can really clean it up and replace all the orings and gaskets and I should be in good shape.

 

The short cut to cleaning aluminum parts that you need to be even and bright in color is to spray wheel acid and use a med bristle brush to scrub the oxidation off the metal. This acid will gently take a micro-layer of metal so there is fresh, clean aluminum exposed. You brush it to agitate the acid and the surface contamination and rinse.

This is phosphoric acid. Its available in a variety of products.
The best and most available is the Eagle-1 brand Mag-Wheel cleaner. Be careful and READ the labels...there are 5 Eagle-1 wheel cleaners and the MAG cleaner is the only one that contains this acid. Most of the big chain auto parts stores carry Eagle-1 wheel cleaners.

I use this on all of my aluminum suspension that gets nasty from rain and dirt and grime. Spray on, wipe and rinse. Good as new. Keep it from sitting on seals and bushings any more than necessary. It will dry them out if left in contact with rubbers. The polished parts get a milder cleaning. Soap or pressure washer...acid is not ever appropiate for anything that's got a polished sealed, finish.
To clean the under-carriage, just protect surrounding items so they do not get exposed to the acid. Its instant death to your monospring, so keep it away from that ! Far away !

You can also find it (phos acid)in some concrete cleaners at home depot, lowes and in some other things for prepping metals for paint.

Its NOT so destructive that it will damage the parts. Just the finish....it WILL wipe away ANY polished finish instantly, so use care around "nice" parts...
Its very easy and safe as long as you use some common sense.
have fun !