Are junkyard intakes and throttle bodies safe?

[ItsVince725]

It's been a long time, but I finally got a job and so actually have money to upgrade the 3100 in my Buick a bit. However, I don't have a ton of money, so I would probably have to start off with some junkyard parts...could I trust junkyard intakes and throttle bodies, given how problematic some 60V6 intakes could be brand new with a bad combination of conditions? I'm guessing that not having a core would make a WOT-Tech Stage 1 intake a good deal more expensive...

[robertisaar]

i wouldn't hesitate to use a junkyard UIM and LIM if everything on them looked decent.

that being said, if you're really serious about power, you're going to end up with a ported intake set at the very least anyways.

[ItsVince725]

i wouldn't hesitate to use a junkyard UIM and LIM if everything on them looked decent.

that being said, if you're really serious about power, you're going to end up with a ported intake set at the very least anyways.

Yeah, I just can't really afford to pay the extra price for having WOT source a core. I'm not making a powerhouse, so a stage 1 port and 3400 TB should do just fine for me.

[Purple pit]

Ben no longer has cores, so you are stuck with JY stuff or what you have. As for TB's I've never heard of a problem. I have heard of GM dealers telling people that the TB is the problem(on newer cars). I sure think that is just to make money. All you have is a shaft, throttle plate, body, spring, a screw for the throttle stop and two bearings. What the hell can go wrong with that? Bearings? I have a few TB's(six) that are all have over 100k and the bearings are fine. Some are a bit stiffer(in feel), but no where near locking up and move very freely.
If you are looking for better flow I'd stage two the upper(better blending), stage one the lower and find a TCE TB. Don't forget to ask Ben to tap the coolant by-pass on the lower.

[ItsVince725]

Ben no longer has cores, so you are stuck with JY stuff or what you have. As for TB's I've never heard of a problem. I have heard of GM dealers telling people that the TB is the problem(on newer cars). I sure think that is just to make money. All you have is a shaft, throttle plate, body, spring, a screw for the throttle stop and two bearings. What the hell can go wrong with that? Bearings? I have a few TB's(six) that are all have over 100k and the bearings are fine. Some are a bit stiffer(in feel), but no where near locking up and move very freely.
If you are looking for better flow I'd stage two the upper(better blending), stage one the lower and find a TCE TB. Don't forget to ask Ben to tap the coolant by-pass on the lower.

TCE? Is that the 65mm throttle body?

[ItsVince725]

By the way, what do you mean by "tap the coolant by-pass"? I was thinking of just getting a set of LG8 manifolds and the 3400 TB to start with for some budget power, then get the intakes ported and upgrade the TB when I can afford it.

[Purple pit]

There is a 62mm also. No matter which one you get the upper must be ported to match the TCE's bore.

Your coolant by-pass tube has a threaded end, the 3400(or big port 3100)does not.

[SappySE107]

I will source a manifold but I won't offer refunds for sending manifolds in. Ive had too many bad manifolds from junkyards and online individuals to say its safe. Take a brush and inspect every bolt hole location carefully. You can get a good one if you check it yourself, just be thorough. That is all I am doing. If money is tight, just use all stock large port. Its still much better than stock small port. Use the 56mm TB as well. Thats the best budget top end.

[ItsVince725]

I will source a manifold but I won't offer refunds for sending manifolds in. Ive had too many bad manifolds from junkyards and online individuals to say its safe. Take a brush and inspect every bolt hole location carefully. You can get a good one if you check it yourself, just be thorough. That is all I am doing. If money is tight, just use all stock large port. Its still much better than stock small port. Use the 56mm TB as well. Thats the best budget top end.

Yeah, I think with the LG8 intakes and 56mm TB I could pick up around 10-15 hp and a better powerband for 150-200 bucks, which I can definitely swing.

[Purple pit]

You could just do stage 1 for everything and that way you would have the ports gasket matched. That would help flow and throttle responce. Damn...life would be so easy if they just made the gaskets port matched. Hell I'd pay someone money to make me some with the plastic push in's. Boundry layers are flow killers in an ever changing flow in the runners.

[ItsVince725]

You could just do stage 1 for everything and that way you would have the ports gasket matched. That would help flow and throttle responce. Damn...life would be so easy if they just made the gaskets port matched. Hell I'd pay someone money to make me some with the plastic push in's. Boundry layers are flow killers in an ever changing flow in the runners.

If I was making more money than I do now, I would definitely go for that. But I can't afford that, and even if I could, I would probably have to put the old intake back on so I would be able to drive the car while I waited for the porting...I only own one car.

[Purple pit]

I understand.