Question: 91Firebird's 3.1L TB Bypass

[Colin]

Hey, I've seen your deal on the tech database and I was wondering if you had any pics from the passenger's side of the block. Is the hose that runs into the left side of that ribbed intake hose the one you disconnected and what did you reconnect it to, 'cuz I kinda' poked around a lil' yesterday while replacing a pulley and couldn't see anything to connect to on the right side (the side you have a picture of). Thanks.

[91Firebird]

Hi Colin, I took a couple of pictures today which are easier to see what is going on. My mechanic actually undid the tb bypass when I was having problems with the car and we couldn't figure out what it was so we tried everything. (It turned out the new alternator I put on was defective because it was overcharging, so it had nothing to do with the TB bypass.) So these pictures will be how your engine looks right now, before the modification.

Picture 1: Here is a picture from the passenger side, and the part I circled in red, you aren't supposed to do anything with, that is probably the part you were looking at. The green part is what you need to change.

Picture 2Here is another view from the passenger side, you can see how I outlined where the hose connects and how it wraps around the intake.

Picture 3: Here is a view from the drivers side. Again, the part in green is where you want to connect the new hose to. The 2 parts I circled in blue is where you want to put a plug (you can't really see the left one, but you get the idea where it is).

Let me know if you have any more questions. I will update the tb coolant bypass page with some of these pictures later when I have some more time.

[Sean R]

why did you wrap the new tube up and around the intake hose, couldn't you just go underneath it ?

[91Firebird]

I went around the intake so the hose didn't crimp, but it should be fine if you just want to connect it underneath.

[Colin]

Sweet. Now, my next question is, would this be a good idea or a bad idea for where I live. It doesn't get "Deathly" cold here, but it does get below freezing here from time to time, but like I said, the coldest it gets is probably in the minus 'single digits'. Lemme' know.

[91Firebird]

You should be fine even in those temperatures. I have heard of a few people in your situation with no problems. The engine runs hot enough anyway, nothing is going to freeze up.

[Colin]

Okay, last question, I hope. What do the plugs look like, 'cuz I went to AutoZone and the guys there looked at me like I'd just hatched when I asked for some "bypass plugs for a TB coolant bypass." Got any pix of those? Thanks.

[91Firebird]

The plugs are like an inch or two long (hollow cylinder shaped), made of black rubber, with one end closed, and one open (they come 2 per package). Imagine a miniature version of Lincoln's top hat without the brim. I don't have any pictures because I don't have them anymore, but I remember they were called "Bypass Plugs", which was written in large type on the package. I got them from Autozone also. Try walking up and down the isles and you should find them if the workers don't know what they are.

[North Cali Autocrosser]

I don't think I've ever gone to Autozone and had them know a damn thing about cars.

[Colin]

No kiddin'. I mean, this guy looked at me like I had no idea what I was talking about. I knew the guy 'cuz he graduated a year after me, and to my knowledge, knows NOTHING about cars, yet he manages to get a job there. I mean, c'mon, I was the one who knew what I was talking about, but yet I don't work there, so I can't find the plugs. What is this world comin' to?

[3.4 slow to go]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr> I don't think I've ever gone to Autozone and had them know a damn thing about cars. <hr></blockquote>

You haven't been to my store have you? [img]tongue.gif[/img]

I would've given you that stare too, then aked what you were trying to do to understand "the wacky customer"

[Colin]

Well, it's done, and just 'cuz it's a free mod doesn't make it any easier. LOL. Anyways, I just wanted to post to anyone who may be thinkin' about doin' this, be careful of the connections that go to the block itself. My mechanic took a look at my work and noticed I'd loosened the part that the new hose ends connect to and THAT part connects directly to the block. He said would be "a big problem" if it was knocked loose much more. Be careful, but still a cool mod.

[Sean R]

cant notice any difference can ya ?

[3.4 slow to go]

still sounds cool, and every little bit helps ;)

[Colin]

I actually noticed a small pickup in throttle response, but it was at highway speeds. I didn't push it the first day I did it, 'cuz I wanted to see what would happen. But yesterday I took it out and you really have to be "one with the car" to feel the difference, but I still noticed more of a "lurch" when I pushed the throttle to force overdrive. [img]graemlins/rofl.gif[/img]