intake manifold polishing question

[bkma71]

currently working on polishing my 1jz intake manifold and was just wondering what peoples feelings are on removing the casting rib on the top of the intake mani. Im just a little worried that its gunna weakin the manifold. I have seen a few with it ground down but I notice alot of people leave it. I think it would look much better with out it but I don't want to do it if its going to make the structure weak enough to make me worry.

before starting.

1hr in of what I expect to take quite a few. and the rib that Im wanting to get rid of

 

[tsuper92]

get rid of it,along with that stupid metal pipe.then shave the bolt hole's ,where the metal cross-over tube bolted too.

 

[Poodles]

Styling element much like the ribs on the 7M valve covers...

 

[1wickedA70]

how the hell did u make it look so pretty? i demand that u tell me at once..did u sand it or sumtin? loo

 

[GotTurbos?]

how the hell did u make it look so pretty? i demand that u tell me at once..did u sand it or sumtin? loo

Really? lmao thats the whole basis of this thread he is in the process of polishing it of course he is sanding it.

 

[1wickedA70]

what grade sand paper?

 

[bkma71]

well I just got home spent about 3 hrs on it so its looking fairly decent removed the rib. still deciding if I want to do away with the little metal piping mounts sure would clean it up but I dunno I think vacuum hoses dangling when I think of removing it. got a few more spots to hit and then it should be ready for some actual hand sanding with 1500-2000 ish grit and then finally some rubbing compound and polish.

So far all I have used is a 90 degree die grinder with a hell of alot of 2" scotch brite pads red and blue pads (red is a little more course) and a couple 24 grit ones to get the rib taken off; thankfully my work has them would hate to have to of bought as many as I went threw lol. will post some pics of the progress tomorrow, but I think it already looks way better then what Ive seen quite a few people pay to have done.

 

[bkma71]

results from the few hours of work last night. Debating taking off all the mounting points that are kinda unnecessary still. What do you guys think should I get rid of all the mounting points? Going for the most blinged out factory 1jz mani here lol jk. still need 1500/2000 and compound/polish and we should be mirror status. I love the fact that you cant hide the effort and quality put into polishing a cast item like this.

 

[MarkIII4Me]

Appears to be coming along nicely. What kind of wheels and compounds have you been using?

 

[tsuper92]

i would leave the mounting point for the manifold stay.it also support's the dip stick tube.
i can't see keeping the other pipe for the vacume line's.you should be plugging the coolant port's on it anyway's.that is unless your going to drive it all winter in oregon.