Alternative SR installation question.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,320
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From: Kyle TX (Because Mojo Made me fill it in)
Alternative SR installation question.
Ive been thinking about the SR installation recently because of all the post saying what a PITA it is. Has anyone considered slightly drilling out the plenum to runner holes and tapping the runners? Since I dont actually have a SR, I was wondering why this hasnt been tried. Would it cause too much disruption in the air flow? Is it not possible to get a bolt in some areas? The way I see it, both pieces are aluminum, torque specs shouldnt change much, and installation of the plenum would only require removing the cover. Could this be done?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: PITTSBURGH PA
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: Alternative SR installation question. (VetteNoob)
the plemnum is tapped you have to bring the screws up from the bottem that is the problem unless your last name is houdini its a nightmare :(
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Kyle TX (Because Mojo Made me fill it in)
Re: Alternative SR installation question. (CORKVETTE1)
the plemnum is tapped you have to bring the screws up from the bottem that is the problem unless your last name is houdini its a nightmare :(
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Calgary AB
Re: Alternative SR installation question. (CORKVETTE1)
I think Scorp posted about this just recently. I think he re-tapped (maybe, I'm not a tap/dye master at all) the existing holes the same size as they were supposed to be, and they went in much easier. I think they're bad holes from the factory. Something like that anyhow, ask him. Whatever it was, he said it made a big difference in the install.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Kyle TX (Because Mojo Made me fill it in)
Re: (scorp508)
but Scorp, have you considered tapping the runners instead to install the bolts from the top down? Looking at the design, do you see it as being possible?
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Team Owner
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From: Boston, MA
but Scorp, have you considered tapping the runners instead to install the bolts from the top down? Looking at the design, do you see it as being possible?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,247
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From: Parker, Colorado, USofA
Re: (VetteNoob)
I think the reason why they don't go down through the box into the runners is:
Where do ya think that bolt goes when it walks out? (Hint: it introduces itself to the tender underside of your motor)
The _other_ possibility is to just glue the F*** out of it with permatex gasket maker. Be forewarned, DISASSEMBLING it is a PITA. (I needed an engine hoist pulling up on the box and some careful, persistent, application of a rubber mallet to a flatheaded screwdriver...there's a fine line between adequate torque to remove and a warped airbox. (no, I didn't warp the airbox.)
It's at times like this I look at that LS1 intake and feel extreme jealousy.
Where do ya think that bolt goes when it walks out? (Hint: it introduces itself to the tender underside of your motor)
The _other_ possibility is to just glue the F*** out of it with permatex gasket maker. Be forewarned, DISASSEMBLING it is a PITA. (I needed an engine hoist pulling up on the box and some careful, persistent, application of a rubber mallet to a flatheaded screwdriver...there's a fine line between adequate torque to remove and a warped airbox. (no, I didn't warp the airbox.)
It's at times like this I look at that LS1 intake and feel extreme jealousy.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Kyle TX (Because Mojo Made me fill it in)
Re:
Thanks for the lesson guys. I dont have a SR so I didnt know what was possible. Wasnt sure if I was reinventing the wheel here or just had a stroke of genius. I guess we now know which one it was :D
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,247
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From: Parker, Colorado, USofA
Re: (scorp508)
permatex "Right Stuff" in the aerosol can. I got a little happy with it and put a 1/4" bead around the runner to box surfaces...the _second_ time I applied a thin coat with a paint scraper...kinda like frosting a cake. ;)
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Ohio
Re: Alternative SR installation question. (VetteNoob)
Ok, here's my experience with the SR. First of all, the castings are S*&%. (same quality as my Accell big tube runners) The flanges that mate up to the SR plenum are not parallel, and therefore, not flat. Mine were out about .035". LPE just tells you slather on more RTV. Had mine machined so they are squared up and flat.
My idea was to heli coil the runners so you could install the bolts from the top down. Works like a charm, and you don't have to worry about stripping out that soft aluminum. We did all but a few of the outer ones that were too tight to fit a bolt or allen head capscrew in next to the wall of the plenum.
It's time con$uming, but so is dropping those dang tiny bolts in your valvetrain. (which I avoided)
My idea was to heli coil the runners so you could install the bolts from the top down. Works like a charm, and you don't have to worry about stripping out that soft aluminum. We did all but a few of the outer ones that were too tight to fit a bolt or allen head capscrew in next to the wall of the plenum.
It's time con$uming, but so is dropping those dang tiny bolts in your valvetrain. (which I avoided)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,247
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From: Parker, Colorado, USofA
Re: (Irocan)
I've also heard of a guy that grinded a slot in the end of the bolt so it could be "helped" along with a screw driver once it was started.
Anyone else ever hear of this?
Bob
Anyone else ever hear of this?
Bob
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2000
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From: Lafayette LA
Re: (RocketSled)
I've also heard of a guy that grinded a slot in the end of the bolt so it could be "helped" along with a screw driver once it was started.
Anyone else ever hear of this?
Anyone else ever hear of this?
Nothing ever lined up on mine either. You had to get all the bolts started before you could tighten any of them. Don't tighten the runners before installing the plenum.
You better have some ball-end allen wrenches too.
The best thing I ever did was sell the SR and buy a Mini Ram for my old L98.