http://media.photobucket.com/image/a...amotor.jpg?o=2

What's the plate on top of the manifold that says 3.2 vtec? I was thinking of getting it polished. Is it important to the function of the car? Is it aluminum? I included a link to what i'm talking about.

 

It's a cover and others have painted and/or polished it. I beleive that is aluminium. In the TL-S (3.5L) is some kind of magnesium alloy.

 

Yep...second that one! I have seen them both painted and polished. The polished one looked really nice!

 

Is it important for to the intake manifold? Will the engine still run if it isn't on? Polishing takes some time so I want to know if I can still drive my car.

 

Just found out that I couldn't drive without it. But now my question to you guys is what is this part called? If I wanted to just buy this plate brand new and get that one polished what would it's part # be? How would I find it on the oem acura parts catalog?

 

Look here:

http://www.acuraautomotiveparts.org/...omp=List%20All

Choose your year, trans, etc. Then look under "Intake Manifold".

Mine is Item #3 - COVER, IN. MANIFOLD (UPPER) and costs (retail) $405; but thats the TL-S Mg Alloy version. The aluminium one is quite a bit more affordable IIRC.

 

sweet website bearcat94. I found it. That little cover costs $51 and the gasket is $21. A total of $72 isn't too bad. It would be cheaper if I just used the one I got, but the polish shop would probably take up to two weeks to get to it. maybe not. I would still have to get the gasket however. I wonder why acura would make a removable cover on the intake manifold like that?

 

The gasket for that is usually made of metal and can be reused, unless you have 100,000+ miles on the car, I wouldn't waste your money on that gasket.

 

Question...should the removal and replacement of the cover be done in a sterile environment? What would happen if by chance, when the cover is off, there is a gust of wind blowing dust all over and into the place?

 

Well. You don't want anything to get into the manifold. Not sure if dust matters, but sand and dirt would. What I think I'm gonna do if I decide to wait for my cover to get done ,and my car is just sitting, is put some painters tape over the hole completely sealing it. Then close the hood.

Or on the other hand if I buy a new cover and get that polished I'll just switch it out with the old one. Nothing should get in.

 

Gasket in the '07 was a red Rubber-like material. I did NOT replace it when installing the IM thermo gaskets. Acura *does* however specify replacement whenever the cover is removed.



You ever see a "sterile" environment at a dealership? Just cover the exposed area with some clean towels while your workign and you'll be fine.

Also, while the cover is off take the time to clean the intake ports, TB and EGR valve/port. TB/Intake cleaner works fine.


Pretty sure there is a DIY on here somewhere for the IM with bolt removal/replacement order, torque, etc.

 

I always put on new gaskets. If it doesn't work then I have to take it all apart again. I've got experience re-using old gaskets. If I ever got a supercharger it could be a boost leak.

 

I just called the polishing shop and they said it would cost $30-35 to get that part polished. And the turnaround time was about two weeks. I may just buy a new cover and send that one to get polished.

As to what I'll do with the old one. I'm not sure.

 

newb question. how would u go about polishing one of these?

 

You mean by yourself? Not sure. But there are polishing compunds in various grits. Sometimes using jewler's rouge. Then the componds are wet sanded on the metal starting with the roughest grit working into the finest grit. Eventually it shines.

But I just did a search for a polishing shop close-by and called for a price quote.

 

*UPDATE* I have bought the brand new cover. I had to strip the paint off first before taking the cover to the polishing shop. I bought aircraft stripper from advance auto parts. That stuff really works. It ate through the rubber gloves I was wearing for protection. Then I used my mechanics gloves and it ate away at the stitching so my gloves started coming apart. Thankfully I was done stripping the part by then. Anyways...I will drop off the cover for polishing 2morrow and then post some pics when I get it back.

 

Aircraft stripper is great stuff; I used it to strip a set of wheels. I had no problem with it eating through my gloves, though (regular rubber gloves you buy in bulk).

 

i really one see how this comes out

 

That should look sharp all polished ... post some pics when you get it installed

 

[QUOTE=Bearcat94;10287399]Gasket in the '07 was a red Rubber-like material. I did NOT replace it when installing the IM thermo gaskets. Acura *does* however specify replacement whenever the cover is removed.

Hey Bearcat,

I scoured the Zine for a DIY on the IM thermal gasket install with no luck. I rolled the dice when deciding whether to use the old IM plenum gasket. I reinstalled it with the P2R gasket thinking it was so slim it couldn't hurt. What's your thoughts on this?

 

Best guess is it'll be fine and no performance difference.

I did remove mine and put it up "just in case".


Service Manual says to replace if removed, but your new gasket should take up any "slack".

 

I will definitely post some pics once I get it back. It will be about two weeks. I bought a new gasket for it. Better safe than sorry.

 

the p2r im gasket replaces the oem gasket

 

we installed it in icy conditions, remeber

 

yeah, it's supposed to. He's asking, "What happens if I didn't?"

 

I dropped off the part yesterday at the polishing shop and it's already done. It sucks that I don't have any time to pick it up until wendsday.

 

^be very careful when installing those bolts that hold the IM cover on. I used 8 ft lbs. I've stripped many an IM cover bolt in my day. They are tiny and fragile. Meant to work in concert, that's why theres 12 of them. Oh yeah, and work inside to outside in alternating pattern while tightening, like tightening bolts for wheels.

 

Thank you for the advice on the tightening order. I found out a long time ago with another car that a tourque wrench isn't very useful if dealing with less than 10 ft/lbs. Especially when dealing with aluminum parts. I like the goodntight method. Turn with the socket till i get resistance aNd then half a turn with the wrench. Usually that always works for me.

By the way I was able to get the cover today. So I will install it tommorrow and take some pictures.

 

I was actually using a 1/4 in drive torque wrench in inch pounds, made for the lighter loads.

 

Here you go. Pretty slick looking if you ask me.

 

I put my hand above the cover so you could see the reflection.
NedShneebly-I see what you were saying now. I wouldn't feel bad using an in/lbs wrench.

 

Looks good! Get RV6 sturut tower that's polished, the polished P2R spacer, polished AEM intake, and you're on the path to a hot engine bay!

 

Thank you. The next thing I really want to do to the car is an xcelr8 j-pipe and stage2 exhaust. I think I will look into the RV6 strut tower bar. That would look nice.

 

dude, with that cover looking so pimp I would ditch the plastic "don't touch me" covers. You could also go with another color on your intake and P2R and color match the '3.2 VTEC' on the cover.

 

wow that looks great im gonna have to do that , and it looks good even with the covers on

 

Thank you for your kind words. I still have my old cover. I could strip it and even drop it off at the polishing shop. Then I could ship it. Otherwise I am gonna have an extra cover laying around. If anyone is interested just PM me.

Once again thank you for your comments and suggestions. They help.

 

That looks really good..

Have the shop do the same thing for your old one..

Then sell it here as "custom" :-)

 

Nice and shiney

 

Hey pffpffpass, I tried looking at the sale section and I didn't see a custom category. What did you mean?

Hey Chill Dog, I am in the Charlotte area if you ever want to take a look. Do we have meets?

 

There is no "custom" section. I think he meant to list it and advertise it as being "custom".

I was wondering where you were. We do have meets, although we don't have formal ones often...most are impromptu. A big one is scheduled for the 7th of March. Here's the link to our meet thread. It's old (we just keep updating/using the old thread), so you'll probably want to skip to the last page.

https://acurazine.com/forums/southeast-318/%2A%2A-official-charlotte-area-chat-thread-%2A%2A-383653/