Powder coating GM "Tuned Port Induction"

[iTurbo]

I'm in the process of powder coating an intake manifold for an '89 Camaro with the "Tuned Port Induction" setup. It is a 305/700R4.

I can't post pictures at the moment but I'm wondering if anybody else out there has done this? I'm having some trouble taking apart the fuel rail/tubes. Other than that it should look pretty good when done. The colors aren't exactly what I would choose, but it's not my car.

[wheming]

Don't have experience but would like to see pics when done.
Always wanted to put one on my 64 Nova.

[iTurbo]

I hear ya. I'm doing some work on my older brother's '82 Impala and would love to see the L98 "TPI" setup underhood. VERY cool looking engine for sure!

Spent most of today cleaning and outgassing parts in the oven (shop is stinking big time!) Got a lot of taping off flanges ahead of me. Very tedious and time consuming process.

The owner of the '89 Camaro RS wants the lower intake manifold and plenum done in Eastwoods "Chrome Reflect". He wants the runners, throttle body plates and upper radiator outlet done in gloss red.

If it were me, I would do everything in Blasted Aluminum to make it look bone stock. Blasted Aluminum is by far my favorite powder.

[wheming]

Good choice. I like the natural aluminum colors too.
But when those were more plentiful there were always lots of them painted up at carshows.
I saw an old 1 gen chevy II with a tpi motor and it really looked sweet.
My plan for mine was to use the original 283 v8 with the tpi intake, convert to MAP and twin turbo it with two mitsus.
Who knows, maybe someday.

[iTurbo]

I know what you mean! I've thought about that kind of setup on my brother's '82 Impala using a GM TPI setup and an eBay twin turbo kit. Unfortunately I've found that I would have to mix and match parts to get it to work. Specifically I would have to use a very early TPI lower intake manifold (because of the center bolt angle difference) and a later upper intake from a '90 TPI engine so it could use a MAP sensor instead of the MAF.

I have all the parts cleaned and taped off and am about ready to go out to the shop and get the oven, powder coater, and air compressor setup. I might have to miss tonight's episode of The Walking Dead, but oh well.

I'm going to start by powder coating the Edelbrock Performer intake for the '82 Impala in Eastwood's "Reflective Chrome". Then a coat of "Metallic Bronze", then "Gloss Clear". If all that goes as planned I will start on the GM TPI parts for my friends '89 Camaro. I haven't PC'd in quite a while so..




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[iTurbo]

I was powder coating an Edelbrock Performer intake manifold for the small block Chevrolet tonight and it didn't end so well. I attempted to coat in in (1.) base coat of Reflective Chrome, (2.) color coat of Bronze Metallic, (3.) Clear coat.

This is the same procedure I had done on my Caliber SRT valve cover which came out very nice. Unfortunately, this time it didn't turn out so good. I ended up with a Tootsie Roll brown color, BUT, it strangely wrinkled very nicely. Nice squigely lines in the texture which I really like. Much better than the 'wrinkle' powders I have used which come out more of a 'textured' look.

Wierd. Live and learn I guess. I'm not sure if I'll strip it and start over or just install the damn thing already. I'll probably strip it but damn that is a lot of work with no blast cabinet!

[HSKR]

Are you using fresh powder, or something you had from before? I've found in my experience, no matter how well sealed you think you have the media, it it's more than a month or two old it just doesn't lay right. Also, and it may just be the brand I was using, but my only experience trying to use a clear was over top a charcoal grey on a set of wheels. Looked great for a couple weeks, then the clear started getting patchy and separating from the base coat.

My favorite color so far as been the two stage metallic blue I did to match the Dodge Intense Blue Pearl paint on my truck. Not the most current pic, but everything blue you see under the hood is powdercoating I did in my garage.
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w486/hskr23/Members%20ride/motor.jpg

[HSKR]

I use a Craftsman powdercoating gun. Self contained and doesn't require an air compressor.
http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/davidc/original/Craftsman_powdercoat_100_1792.JPG

[iTurbo]

Got done powder coating this setup for the most part tonight. The owner and I are both happy with the results. It isn't 100% perfect as I found that it was nearly impossible to get the powder to adhere between the intake runner tubes. They are so close together that the "faraday cage effect" prevented the powder from adhering 100%. But it is minor enough that it would have to be pointed out for anyone to notice.

The lower intake manifold and upper plenum are done in Eastwood 'Argent' silver and close to chrome. The runners, thermostat housing, and throttle body plates are Eastwood 'bright red'. The fuel rails are polished to a bright silver by the owner. I was not able to powder coat those because of the inability to disassemble them completely.

I still have to go to the local machine shop to have the "Tuned Port Injection" TB plate blasted and coat that as well as the throttle body cable bracket but it is looking really nice so far. I hope I can get my camera to work again..

I also was successful in powder coating the plastic coil cover which is basically an extension of the upper plenum on the GM TPI setup. Even though it was plastic, it now is the same "Argent" silver as the upper plenum and looks as if it is one piece. I have been successful in PC'ing plastic parts so far, but in order for me to PC the runners (perfectly) I believe it would take a 'fluidized bed' technique which I just don't have available at the moment. I am seriously considering upgrading my PC gun to the newer Eastwood 'dual voltage' unit though. A higher static voltage would help for sure.

[iTurbo]

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I plan to loosely assembly everything tomorrow and get more pics and also place it atop the '82 Impala just to see how it looks and get some ideas.

[wheming]

Wow. That argent looks great!
Going to be sharpe when assembled.

[iTurbo]

I got it assembled this morning. Still have to do the "TPI" plate and block sand out the letters as well as the throttle cable bracket. I do like the Argent color from Eastwood a lot and it is much closer to chrome than their "Reflective Chrome" powder.

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[wheming]

Pretty cool bro!

[iTurbo]

Thanks, ever since I was a little kid I've always thought the GM TPI L98 was one of the coolest looking engines out there, so I was actually looking forward to doing it for one of my friends cars. This is the stock setup from his '89 Camaro RS which is a 305 CI and will likely only make around 200 WHP. The TPI engines were antiquated by the later LT1 and LS motors especially, but who cares, it's all fun!

[sl3196]

Nice work jeremy! Need to get you some of my G8 parts to do haha

[iTurbo]

Ha right on Dan. At this point I want nothing more than to concentrate on the Shelby Lancer.

[iTurbo]

Looks like I'll be doing the valve covers, oil pan and timing cover next. Here's to hoping I get more than a case of beer this time.

[cordes]

Holy cow. What does a case of beer cost these days?

[iTurbo]

I admit I like the "L98" setup due to nostalgia....but I am also guilty of whoring myself out sometimes. The 'case' of beer was actually a 30-pack of Busch Light that probably cost $22.

EDIT: I will also say that it wasn't about the case of beer. It was very satisfying putting it together and feeling good about a job well done. The owner is ecstatic about it. I am happy to have done it despite all the work (mostly cleaning). It's not absolutely perfect but I am happy with the results.

[iTurbo]

The guy that owns the parts that I powder coated is very happy with the results (whew). I will be doing the valve covers, front timing cover, and oil pan next.

[sl3196]

Ha right on Dan. At this point I want nothing more than to concentrate on the Shelby Lancer.

Bring it over, got a heater hooked up in the garage!

[iTurbo]

Pretty awesome of you to make that offer Dan! I'm working a bit on it today and getting the old TII/A568 drivetrain ready to pull out. I would do it in my (tiny) garage, but my older brother's Impala is still in there.

I have a good engine on the stand and ready to go for the most part. Just need to pull the TII/A568, put the A568/flywheel/clutch on the 'new' engine, and drop it in.

Of course, this new engine is quite a bit different so I will have some wiring modifications to do but I have all the necessary parts and know-how to make that happen without too much trouble.

[sl3196]

Pretty awesome of you to make that offer Dan! I'm working a bit on it today and getting the old TII/A568 drivetrain ready to pull out. I would do it in my (tiny) garage, but my older brother's Impala is still in there.

I have a good engine on the stand and ready to go for the most part. Just need to pull the TII/A568, put the A568/flywheel/clutch on the 'new' engine, and drop it in.

Of course, this new engine is quite a bit different so I will have some wiring modifications to do but I have all the necessary parts and know-how to make that happen without too much trouble. Got an engine stand and a hoist over here... hahaha