Cleaning up the Engine Bay - Work in progress
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Cleaning up the Engine Bay - Work in progress Well weather this weekend totally S**KED!!! So it gave me the time to get started on the latest round of engine detailing mods for the SS before the big summer shows get started. Unfortuantely this means the SS is tied up for a while <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" />
First step is complete, removing and painting the valve covers high temp. bright red, with GOBS of deep rich high temp. clear coat!
Picture of Engine Bay
While the car is apart I took the plugs and wires out to be replaced with NGK's and Red Taylor wires, removed the exhaust heat sheilds and getting the manifolds prepped for a good coat of High Temp Cast Iron Grey POR 15, (Yes I know I should get headers but until someone can tell me what kind work great on an A4 Convertible, this will have to do) While in there I am cleaning everything in site.
Well, I am now waiting for the Big Brown Truck to bring me my parts, so give me more ideas! Mark, what is your schedule like?? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />
<small>[ May 20, 2002, 01:21 PM: Message edited by: Xsta Z 28 ]</small>
First step is complete, removing and painting the valve covers high temp. bright red, with GOBS of deep rich high temp. clear coat!
Picture of Engine Bay
While the car is apart I took the plugs and wires out to be replaced with NGK's and Red Taylor wires, removed the exhaust heat sheilds and getting the manifolds prepped for a good coat of High Temp Cast Iron Grey POR 15, (Yes I know I should get headers but until someone can tell me what kind work great on an A4 Convertible, this will have to do) While in there I am cleaning everything in site.
Well, I am now waiting for the Big Brown Truck to bring me my parts, so give me more ideas! Mark, what is your schedule like?? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />
<small>[ May 20, 2002, 01:21 PM: Message edited by: Xsta Z 28 ]</small>
Re: Cleaning up the Engine Bay - Work in progress Ideas for cleaning up the engine area??? Hmmm, I dont know if I know any <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />
At least not any I can tell you before Bowling Green.. LOL..
Rid the compartment of STICKERS.. peel them off and stick them to a piece of plastic for reference.. For the most part Im against ANY sticker.. Go to a car show.. look at the NICE old cars (custom/street ones.. not restored) and do you see stickers?? nope.. no K/N sticker.. just a clean engine area <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> - fuse box lid stickers can be removed and put inside the fuse box for reference..
Just say no to the GM crappy pinch type hose clamps.. replacing them with some chrome (or other) slip fit hose ends from earls will give you the look of AN hoses at a fraction of the cost..
Painting the manifolds will help a lot.. but find a fastener store and get some stainless header bolts to replace the factory ones.. should set it off nice..
Master Cylinder cover from MBA Products really cleans up the brake unit..
God Andy, if i tell you any more your REALLY gonna kick my butt if I go to Kentucky <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />
At least not any I can tell you before Bowling Green.. LOL..
Rid the compartment of STICKERS.. peel them off and stick them to a piece of plastic for reference.. For the most part Im against ANY sticker.. Go to a car show.. look at the NICE old cars (custom/street ones.. not restored) and do you see stickers?? nope.. no K/N sticker.. just a clean engine area <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> - fuse box lid stickers can be removed and put inside the fuse box for reference..
Just say no to the GM crappy pinch type hose clamps.. replacing them with some chrome (or other) slip fit hose ends from earls will give you the look of AN hoses at a fraction of the cost..
Painting the manifolds will help a lot.. but find a fastener store and get some stainless header bolts to replace the factory ones.. should set it off nice..
Master Cylinder cover from MBA Products really cleans up the brake unit..
God Andy, if i tell you any more your REALLY gonna kick my butt if I go to Kentucky <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />
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Re: Cleaning up the Engine Bay - Work in progress Steve,
WHAT DO YOU MEAN "IF" You better be there!
As for some of your suggestions, lemme see . . .
Compartement devoid of all stickers, DONE! I have a new lower air box to replace the one with the K&N sticker, since it is covering up some holes I foolishly put in it! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="gr_emb.gif" /> I plan on painting both the lid and the lower support the same color/sheen.
Hose clamps, you are right, but I need to find some that I like and where to find them.
Bolts for the manifolds, well with the FRC's you can hardly see them, the only reason why I am coating the manifolds is cause I lost points at the last car show. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />
So anyway, busy, busy, busy!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
WHAT DO YOU MEAN "IF" You better be there!
As for some of your suggestions, lemme see . . .
Compartement devoid of all stickers, DONE! I have a new lower air box to replace the one with the K&N sticker, since it is covering up some holes I foolishly put in it! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="gr_emb.gif" /> I plan on painting both the lid and the lower support the same color/sheen.
Hose clamps, you are right, but I need to find some that I like and where to find them.
Bolts for the manifolds, well with the FRC's you can hardly see them, the only reason why I am coating the manifolds is cause I lost points at the last car show. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />
So anyway, busy, busy, busy!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
Re: Cleaning up the Engine Bay - Work in progress </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Xsta Z 28:
<strong>Steve,
Hose clamps, you are right, but I need to find some that I like and where to find them.
Bolts for the manifolds, well with the FRC's you can hardly see them, the only reason why I am coating the manifolds is cause I lost points at the last car show. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hose clams are by Earls.. TONS of places carry them.. go to Earls website and find a local dealer.. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> I can shoot you a pic of mine when the dealer fixes my car <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />
As far as manifold bolt.. take it from a former judge, its doing the things you "hardly see" thats wins the shows.. they should be pretty cheap and all those little details add up <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
<strong>Steve,
Hose clamps, you are right, but I need to find some that I like and where to find them.
Bolts for the manifolds, well with the FRC's you can hardly see them, the only reason why I am coating the manifolds is cause I lost points at the last car show. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hose clams are by Earls.. TONS of places carry them.. go to Earls website and find a local dealer.. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> I can shoot you a pic of mine when the dealer fixes my car <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />
As far as manifold bolt.. take it from a former judge, its doing the things you "hardly see" thats wins the shows.. they should be pretty cheap and all those little details add up <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
Re: Cleaning up the Engine Bay - Work in progress Wait a SECOND.. isnt your car a 2000?? WHERE THE HELL IS YOUR EGR!! lol.. Did you remove it (its not in the picture).. I hate that damn thing and the minute my shop gets LS1edit its GONE..
So whats the story??
Im sure I could get Poltergeist to make you one of his custome engine plaques.. you could actualy have anything engraved on it.. engine specs.. etc.. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
So whats the story??
Im sure I could get Poltergeist to make you one of his custome engine plaques.. you could actualy have anything engraved on it.. engine specs.. etc.. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
Re: Cleaning up the Engine Bay - Work in progress Wow! Look who's been busy in the garage! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" />
You know my schedule. Let me know when I can help. What's left at this point?
You know my schedule. Let me know when I can help. What's left at this point?
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Re: Cleaning up the Engine Bay - Work in progress </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Mark IXZD 150:
<strong>What's left at this point?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Lemme see:
1: clean manifolds
2: remove spark plugs
3: install plugs
4: paint manifolds
5: cut new lower air box
6: paint new air lower box and lid
7: install plugs & wires
8: cut EGR tube
9: touch up pass valve cover ( I chipped it <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" /> )
10: oil change
That's all I can think of, for now! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />
Steve, yes it is a 2000, I had to take off the damn thing to remove the heat sheild. I really do not want to put it back on, and I am seriously thinking about buying LS1 Edit.
<small>[ May 13, 2002, 07:03 PM: Message edited by: Xsta Z 28 ]</small>
<strong>What's left at this point?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Lemme see:
1: clean manifolds
2: remove spark plugs
3: install plugs
4: paint manifolds
5: cut new lower air box
6: paint new air lower box and lid
7: install plugs & wires
8: cut EGR tube
9: touch up pass valve cover ( I chipped it <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" /> )
10: oil change
That's all I can think of, for now! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />
Steve, yes it is a 2000, I had to take off the damn thing to remove the heat sheild. I really do not want to put it back on, and I am seriously thinking about buying LS1 Edit.
<small>[ May 13, 2002, 07:03 PM: Message edited by: Xsta Z 28 ]</small>
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Verdad Gallardo Re: Cleaning up the Engine Bay - Work in progress If your going to go through all the trouble of removing the manifolds maybe you should just install a set of JBA shorties?? I love mine.. a little gain, they weigh a TON less and they look great.. direct bolt in and they are smog legal.. a nice option for the red car since the blue one will be the long tube demon <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
Loose the EGR!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
Im thinking of pulling it and living with the SES light for a few months till I (or my shop) gets LS1.edit <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
Yea Mark, I was thinking Cast Iron also (my caliper bracktets are that color)
Loose the EGR!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
Im thinking of pulling it and living with the SES light for a few months till I (or my shop) gets LS1.edit <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
Yea Mark, I was thinking Cast Iron also (my caliper bracktets are that color)
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Re: Cleaning up the Engine Bay - Work in progress I hit all my A/C hardware with Mother's mag polish. Brightened things up a lot. I also discovered (by accident) that the fuel rails look good polished. Mother's will take the paint off and leave it almost chrome looking.
Polished the front of the passenger side head, TB, EGR pump and ABS module. On cars with the power steering cooler, you can polish the metal part of the coolant tube.
Polished the front of the passenger side head, TB, EGR pump and ABS module. On cars with the power steering cooler, you can polish the metal part of the coolant tube.
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Re: Cleaning up the Engine Bay - Work in progress </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Jake99SS:
<strong>I hit all my A/C hardware with Mother's mag polish. Brightened things up a lot. I also discovered (by accident) that the fuel rails look good polished. Mother's will take the paint off and leave it almost chrome looking.
Polished the front of the passenger side head, TB, EGR pump and ABS module. On cars with the power steering cooler, you can polish the metal part of the coolant tube.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Any pics?
<strong>I hit all my A/C hardware with Mother's mag polish. Brightened things up a lot. I also discovered (by accident) that the fuel rails look good polished. Mother's will take the paint off and leave it almost chrome looking.
Polished the front of the passenger side head, TB, EGR pump and ABS module. On cars with the power steering cooler, you can polish the metal part of the coolant tube.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Any pics?
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Re: Cleaning up the Engine Bay - Work in progress Andy---hey brother, it's Clint. I just regitered from my home address. I can't wait till your new Berger gets here, part of the fun is the anticipation! I'm enjoying the you know what out of my '01 Berger with the phase II upgrade. I wish I could get some pics up, just haven't had the time. I've polished all kinds of things under the hood with inspiration from you, Steve and Mark. My valve covers are white, throttle body powder coated, all wires still in the factory locations. Got a set of mufflers custom made from FLP to interchange with the cats/orp. Haven't put 'em yet. You're doing a great job on documentation, I wish I could have gotten you some pics from GMMG but I was too excited about my upgrade! I need to put together some documentation on my car, so far one of the coolest things is seeing my car in GMMG's book right between Johnny Benson's and Bobby LaBonte's....
Later-
Berger #56
Arctic White/Black stripes
Phase II 435hp/410tq
Later-
Berger #56
Arctic White/Black stripes
Phase II 435hp/410tq
Teching In
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Re: Cleaning up the Engine Bay - Work in progress Andy--How did you get the water pump, etc. to look the same shade of aluminum?, or am I just lucky and have accessories that are tinted a little goldish?
Thanks-
Thanks-
Launching!
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Posts: 261
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From: Santa Clara, CA
Re: Cleaning up the Engine Bay - Work in progress </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by monSSter1191:
<strong>How did you remove residues left by some of the stickers in the engine (like the catalyst and belt configuration)??</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">dont mean to step into andy's shoes, but i used some Goof Off that you can buy at a local hardware store. works great with taking off sticky residue and basically anything else.
-anthony
<strong>How did you remove residues left by some of the stickers in the engine (like the catalyst and belt configuration)??</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">dont mean to step into andy's shoes, but i used some Goof Off that you can buy at a local hardware store. works great with taking off sticky residue and basically anything else.
-anthony
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Re: Cleaning up the Engine Bay - Work in progress Well, slight change of plans, no longer going to coat the stock manifold, they are one the way to car part heaven and being replaced with some ceramic coated JBA's! It's all your fault Steve. Hopefully get my bad boy put back together this weekend.
C Willi '01SS I guess you got lucky and have differnt colored aluminums. Mine just came that way. I would like to see how your engine looks, I'm intrigued with the white valve covers.
monSSter1191 I used Goof Off, it take a lot of work, but it will come off. Be careful not ot rub too hard or with too harsh a chemical, my towel started to turn red, so the paint isn't very good threre.
adm408 No problem, we all have great info to share, and all info is very welcomed here. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
C Willi '01SS I guess you got lucky and have differnt colored aluminums. Mine just came that way. I would like to see how your engine looks, I'm intrigued with the white valve covers.
monSSter1191 I used Goof Off, it take a lot of work, but it will come off. Be careful not ot rub too hard or with too harsh a chemical, my towel started to turn red, so the paint isn't very good threre.
adm408 No problem, we all have great info to share, and all info is very welcomed here. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
Re: Cleaning up the Engine Bay - Work in progress Paint the intake manifold red to match the valve covers. It will look great!
<img src="http://www.rapidmotorsports.com/images/project_cars/rocker_covers.jpg" alt=" - " />
Tony
<small>[ May 16, 2002, 09:56 AM: Message edited by: Nine Ball ]</small>
<img src="http://www.rapidmotorsports.com/images/project_cars/rocker_covers.jpg" alt=" - " />
Tony
<small>[ May 16, 2002, 09:56 AM: Message edited by: Nine Ball ]</small>
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Re: Cleaning up the Engine Bay - Work in progress </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Nine Ball:
<strong>Paint the intake manifold red to match the valve covers. It will look great!
Tony</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I plan on doing something to the intake, but most likely upgrade to a LS6 and then paint it! Red sure looks good! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" />
<strong>Paint the intake manifold red to match the valve covers. It will look great!
Tony</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I plan on doing something to the intake, but most likely upgrade to a LS6 and then paint it! Red sure looks good! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" />