Polishing Engine Parts

Hi all,

I'm planning on getting a few of my zed parts polished shortly...just gotta find a place to get it done at.

I'm planning on polishing the following and have the following parts as spares in the garage cupboard:
- TT Plenum + throttle bodies
- CAS bracket
- Both coolant pipes
- Power steering pump

I was just wondering from those of you that have had this done...are there any things I need to be warned about?

I'm more worried about the plenum getting polished, I read somewhere NOT to get it sandblasted. Also can someone confirm that a TT plenum can be used as a direct replacement for my NA plenum?

Also, is anyone able to give me a rough estimate of getting the above items polished?

Would appreciate some opinions

 

TT plenum will fit fine, they are interchangeable. You will have to change over some of the vacuum fittings but that's it

I would NOT get the plenum sand blasted, killed a brand new motor up here a few weeks ago

Sorry, can't help with pricing or where to go though.

 

How does sand blasting a plenum kill an engine? I had mine blasted and acid dipped years ago with no issues.

Of course if you blast and don't bath you could have problems. But that's common sense isn't it?

 

plenum will most likely come back with a lot of polishing crap inside it. All 4 that I've had polished did. 6-ish cans of degreaser and a gernie got it spotless.

NA and TT plenums and throttle bodies are directly interchangeable.

Cost will depend on how much you want done regarding the plenum, and what kind of a turnaround you want for it-
1. Cast lines between runners sanded down and how far down the runners you want polished
2. Centre galley polished (kinda pointless as the throttle cable cover conceals it
3. Underside polished (again pointless, never see it)

Consider getting the cam covers done also. Amazing how visible they are through a freshly polished plenum. The centre part of your throttle body linkage also comes up a treat, as does the zinc coated springs, all of which can be done without disassembly of the linkage setup. Occasional squirt of CRC on the springs will retain the polished finish.

Cost-
Cam Covers- around $50 each
Hardpipes- around $50 also
CAS and Bracket- $80-$100 for the pair
Plenum- Anything between $350 to $650
Throttle bodies- $50 each (get them BEAD blasted first) a low pressure blaster will get the impossible to access parts spotless. All of the grooves cannot be polished, but will blend perfectly
Linkage Assembly- Around $50
Power Steering Pump- Correct me if I'm wrong, but you cant polish them, Steel not alloy.

BE WARNED... once you start, it doesnt stop. A cleanly presented OEM engine bay has great appeal.... a blinged 1 and you wont stop looking for that extra plated or polished bit, replacing zinc bolts with S/S etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc

 

Renee i would be interested in getting a few things polished as well on my zed...i know a plac in Thomastown that can do powdercoating for a really good price ans down the road there is a sandblasting place aswell if needed. But i dont think they do polishing that is why i havnt been able to get anything polished on my zed. Would be quite interested to see if you can find a place.

Abraham

 

Thanks for all the help guys ...will ring around tomorrow to some local stores and see what they think..will update this thread on costs if I do find a local place.

Regarding power steering pump not being able to be polished...maybe I saw someone's engine bay where it was chromed...anyway..

 

Well I've taken my parts to a local business to get polished...verbal quoted prices seemed pretty similar to what OZX_320 has stated above..but once I get them in my hands I'll state how much they actually were for future reference for people on here.

Good customer service from the guy too...was polite and friendly which was nice ...

Will post pictures up once I get them all returned...roughly 2 weeks the guy reckons.

 

Just a suggestion- Look into the possibility of clear coating. Polisher friend suggested it to me the last time I caught up. The finish will be 90% as bright as plain polished, but up-keep is as simple as a wipe down with a soft cloth. No issues of finger prints every time you touch the motor, no streak lines if you dont chamois off immediately after cleaning the bay.

Was going to pull down 1 of mine, get it all re-buffed and cleared...... but ended up with another project z instead.

Oh, and the zinc plated 8mm throttle body and linkages hex bolts can be run through the buffer. Brings them up to a polished look also.... but they seem to oxidise within 6 months. At least gives you time to organise S/S replacements.

 

Local shop doesn't do clear coating unfortunately..so that wont be happening..patiently waiting for the finished product..

Also, Chrispy...what do you mean by having to change over some of the vacuum fittings?

 

Some of the screwed fittings in the TT plenum are for different sized hose compared to the NA. Just pull them out and change them over with the ones on your NA plenum when you change them over. Easy as pie

 

Ahh ok..awesome

 

Well...got all my parts back all polished..but ended up taking a couple back for another go over..much happier this time round..that's why it took a bit more then 2 weeks for me to post this up

TOTAL = $668 for all of the following:
- Upper plenum
- x2 throttle bodies
- Throttle body linkages
- x2 zinc coated springs
- CAS & CAS bracket
- x2 coolant pipes
- Power steering reservoir - Chromed

Very happy with the cost and the quality of the work...see pics below











The before and after photo...slight difference lol

 

Love it! :zlove:

What are the chances though that they will tarnish over time? I'm quite interested to know as I'd be keen to go the same path with mine in the future...


Arvin

 

Alloys containing aluminium get an aluminium oxide, which is whiteish in colour, but the key is to keep it polished to keep the protective layer on it.
I had a shiny engine bay once, but lost interest with all the hard work to keep it that way...

 

...and that is why I also got a bottle of Purple Polish for $28

 

& gave it to Craig?

Because I'd be handballing the upkeep quick smart!
Your parts look fantastic but as awesome as they look the up keep is what made me go the red/black scheme. Is it possible to clear coat them to preserve the finish?

cheers, Tim

 

I spotted that before in your pics. Purple polish is my polish of choice. I've used it on everything from my plenum to the kitchen kettle, leaves a nice shine- waaaayyy better than autosol.

 

Brilliant Renee. Real nice.
Those throttle bodys are the bomb

 

I was told not to use autosol on the polished parts as it is much more abrasive...but I love autosol for my exhaust tips

Lidz - I take good care of keeping my zed clean..this will just be an added part of the weekly clean now