Topic: Intake Grinding...Finding a shop in your area to do the Work

[chrisfranklin]

I know, this is simple stuff and any kid with a grinder could probably do a decent DIY job.  So, I'm "throwing my money away" pursuing this.  But, after reading the comments on the $35 Ebay spacer post (btw, been impressed with price and quality of the low-production-volume performance parts I've picked up on Ebay, too) and about the issues involved with grinding the intake manifold, it kind of occurred to me that maybe I should have a pro do the job, so I don't unintentionally "screw" my regular ride.  Sure, I have a Dremel, but, at this time, I don't have the residence to do this kind of work (L.A. apartment f@#$ing policy and frigging security doing circuits around the complex in their golfcarts day/night!;  nothing short of a troublesome planned-diversion is going to distract those guys for the time needed  :roll:  

So, how do I go about having this work done?  Do I go to a machine shop, custom shop (not necessarily 4x4 related), perhaps a shop you guys may know of in So. Cal. that I can get up to early on a Saturday?

Much obliged for the info (and, if any of you run 35" tires, Detroits and have done an axle swap, any recent posts I did related to those parts and their users were intended as a joke, of course  :D

[SMC4WD]

Much obliged for the info (and, if any of you run 35" tires, Detroits and have done an axle swap, any recent posts I did related to those parts and their users were intended as a joke, of course  :D

That's funny!!   I too am only kidding when I say...  "See how as soon as a guy wants something, even his ememies are his friends."  Something like that.  The thought of what I was trying to say is there, just not the proper wording...

But truthfully!!   I'm only kidding you!!

[Jeffy]

Either remove the intake and have someone port it or leave it on and have someone port it.  Honestly, if you're too lazy or unsure of your skills, I'd just leave it for another day.

"Thin skin...it's what's for dinner..." :wink:

[chrisfranklin]

623 registered users and no, "this is the best machines shop in So Cal...go here...!" ?

But, yeah, what are the odds of anyone on this site in the So Cal area having had satisfactory machine shop work done and also catching this comment...   Nevermind.  

[GreenBayjeeper]

What if (like me) you're not too lazy, or unsure of your skills.

I'm motivated (most days) but am positive that I lack the skill to start grinding away at sensitive engine parts.

I'm gathering parts and info on doing the throttle body swap, and spacer add on too, but the port matching part scares me.

Yet I want to have it done.  Anyone have an idea what a machine shop may charge for port matching?

[SMC4WD]

So. Cal is a huge area...

But a machine shop near you should have the capabilities...  Check your yellow pages and ask questions.

Off the subject, but on the same subject, my work needed to find a metallurgist...  someone to check Rockwell ratings, and stress points.  I knew of one machine shop in our area, but they moved away.  This left me going through the business pages fairly blind.  But I'm fairly capable of talking the talk, so I started by calling the closest machine shop first.  I couldn't believe how nice and extremely helpful this guy on the other end of the line was...  He wasn't able to do the work we needed done but he took 15-20 minutes to direct me to people who do.  He gave me names and telephone numbers.  This guy was soo cool that he staked his reputation on these referrals...  He told me that alot of the machine shops in the area use these guys...

So we chose one of the companies that we were referred to and not only did they test what we needed testing, they did it on the spot (meaning, we didn't have to drop it off and come back in a few days), and they found out what was wrong with the product and didn't charge us a thing.

There is no question that we will use this company again, and refer anyone looking for the same services to them.

So now, are you ready for this???

What's the best suspension lift?  What's the best locker??  What's the best tire??  

It's all relative...  What's the best for me isn't the best for you.  The best machine shop could be complete A-holes if you catch them at a bad time.  

I read somewhere, and I'm tempted to change my signature to state:
"Asking me what the best is for your rig, it like asking me to tell you YOUR favorite flavor ice cream"

I hope this helps.

[Jeffy]

What if (like me) you're not too lazy, or unsure of your skills.

I'm motivated (most days) but am positive that I lack the skill to start grinding away at sensitive engine parts.

Isn't that the same thing?

Go slow and you shouldn't have any problems.  Put the gasket down and mark the opening.  Stay on the inside radius so you have room to spare incase you do screw up.   I'd probably first try smoothing out the lip and see how that does.  The easiest way would be to take a flapper wheel and an drill, I think.  It would expand to match the opening and should leave a nice round hole.

[chrisfranklin]

SMC4WD, thanks for the example walk-through on finding a shop locally.  That's probably what I'll end up doing down here
 :)

[Jeffy]

623 registered users and no, "this is the best machines shop in So Cal...go here...!" ?

But, yeah, what are the odds of anyone on this site in the So Cal area having had satisfactory machine shop work done and also catching this comment...   Nevermind.  

If you go to an engine rebuilder, they will be able to do it right and quick.  If you take the intake off, you could take it to a machine shop but getting the intake off is a real PITA.  I would not recommend it for jsut the single port job.  Getting it back on without leaking is just as much a PITA too.

[chrisfranklin]

I'm doing a little math here to figure this out.

Installed the no-swirly, generic spacer under my 4.0TB the other day and, for the first time, could clearly see where the intake needed to be ground out so that more unimpeded air flow could occur.  Looked like the intake was intruding by about 5 mm, maybe cutting flow by around 10% -- effectively turns your 62mm 4.0 TB in to a 57mm diameter job.

[jcsanders79]

I would find out how much inprovement you will get by grinding the excess away.  I intalled a header yesterday and it is a huge PITA.

[chrisfranklin]

Have a decent Dremel tool but it isn't going to work with my inverter, so I have to find an outlet where I live -- harder than it sounds.  Basically you have to put rags down the intake, grind (& vacuum like a dentist drilling teeth), then vacuum out any residual particulates and pull the rages.  When you are done, it'll look like a perfect circle, too !   (Yeah right :roll:

 

Header install labor charges induce a heart attack if you get a shop to do it, from what I hear.  DIY and you are going to have your hands full (and probably banged up pretty well, too).

Me, I got the 2.5L turtle-in' , D35 breakin', Square Headlight wearin', (& leaf-spring bouncin' vs TJ)  red-headed stepchild of the Jeep world   .  If I'm going to throw a ton of money and work at a Jeep, these days, I think I'll start with a little more solid  Jeep foundation -- yeah, probably a TJ Rubicon.  But, even my old YJ Jeep is a blast and a decent climber when set up with an auto-locker or two -- probably best bang for buck there is 4x4ing