Ceejay29

Had a sneaky peak at a package we received at the garage last week ....The Akebono brake kit courtesy of R35LEE, who I would highly recommend, top man I will add the boxes to the pile that has been gathering over the last 6 months, which includes an Exedy hyper single clutch, lightened flywheel and release bearing among many other cool mods. This to do list is building rapidly

May have bitten off more than I can chew Man power is not enough, I think I will finish it tomorrow using machinery

Thanks for the heads up Daryl, I can recall my father looking alarmed whilst watching me manhandle the harness and god knows what else during installation. The kit fits in ok, but like you said it is super snug. I may now modify the box ever so slightly when I remove it for paint.

Great stuff, some bold additions there Grundy, hats off to you. I would love to get my old girl remapped, although I'd be concerned about the resulting figures. Do you mind if I ask what performance mods you have and is that reading at the flywheel?

Thanks guys, determined not to rush it and thank you for the advice Mark, very technical. How on earth did you discover this method!

I have decided to document my attempt at what I believe we refer to as an engine bay ‘dress up,’ inspired by the many fine examples we have all seen on the forum. I have always liked the idea of focusing on this area, although have found it very daunting and suffered at the allurement of performance parts and external aesthetics. So here is a photograph of the engine bay shortly after purchasing the car. The first additions to the bay took the form of a Cusco radiator cap and an EPR engine oil cap, don’t ask me why I bought these as one should add details like this to finish off a bay - like these are going to make a difference to the overall appearance (the term pi55ing in the wind comes to mind ). A fellow forum member advertised a used K&N Typhoon CAI, so this was next on the list and that is where all spare money over the last twelve months has gone – chasing the ‘big ponies’ we all dream of but rarely achieve without spending mega bucks. Bolt-on after bolt on arrived at the garage….wonder if I have gained an extra 10bhp yet Any way back on topic; The K&N was a nice addition, had slight damage to the carbon lid as specified by the seller, but worked out ok. We removed the OEM airbox and slid the K&N airfilter housing into position (which was extremely snug). Relocating wires and conduit proved to be a PITA but got there in the end. We encountered a minor issue when attaching the carbon lid. The bonnet pin switch, an integral part of the aftermarket alarm system, was located on the exact spot where the lid should mount the body. We decided that the easiest option was to leave the pin in position and cut off the damaged area of the lid (as it was pretty much useless anyway) and fix to the underside of the bracket. It does the job. After a long spell away from the engine bay my attention had been captured by Ironhide’s group buy last year; the radiator cooling panel. At this point a colour scheme had not been considered, I was simply purchasing this part based on the potential ‘cooling gains’ to be had from it . Nevertheless I did opt for a sensible colour, anodized red, which has informed my vision of a colour scheme today. This image doesn't really illustrate it well, but I love how the slight gap between the bonnet and bumper exposes a thin red strip. As of late I have been bitten by the engine bay detailing bug, thanks to many of you here on the forum. I have included myself in on Tarmac’s polished strut brace group buy, bought anodized red jubilee clips (don’t ask me why as these probably will not be needed until a year further down the line) and invested in a number of spray cans. I am still waiting for the VHT metallic silver/grey to arrive which will be the predominant colour under the hood. I have chosen to start on an area that requires the least skill and one of which its easily replaceable if I foreseeably make a pigs ear of it…..the battery and fluid covers. I will then progress on to the engine cover, fluid caps, the strut brace feet and elements of the CAI. So here goes. I began by cleaning and keying up the parts, applying thin layers of plastic primer and sanding between coats using 800/1200/1500 wet and dry on numerous occasions. Once happy I decided to apply the first base coat of anodized silver (which I actually like). Do I now continue to sand back with wet and dry, or apply the colour coat? Cant believe how patient I am being!!

Arrived safely today, great service Chris. Thanks

Arrived safely today, looks the part. Great service

7 Series

^^^ haha sounds fun

Smoothed spats is the way forward

Looks sweet Parello, it's tough trying to keep the low stance appearance whilst retaining driveability. I feel your pain. I think you can lift it ever so slightly at the rear without losing the aggressive appearance you have going on.

^^^ my bad!

What about 1200-1500 grit wet and dry?

Second dibs on the mines lip

Haha I would love to spend my weekends at the garage, we have so much work to do on the car, the parts pile is building! The issue is keeping the lady happy! We don't have the tools at the house either so a ten minute job means driving to the garage first.

I knew I should have hid a lot more of it. Correct GM, Mk1 Lotus twin cam that might actually be finished this summer.

JDM covers look amazing if you can restore and maintain the rest of the engine bay. A lot of work needed if you are going to run one IMO - dont think I am man enough. The ARC cover that is pictured in the photograph above, would that fit the K&N Typoon kit (ie the box that houses the air filter itself) as the carbon fibre cover I have is a bit tatty? So I returned with the 10mm socket and found myself chuckling as soon as I saw the strut brace....how did I not consider the fact that I runs over the top of the engine bay and inhibits access to almost every nut and bolt! A job for another day I think...one at the garage One positive is the fact that I got to have a sneaky peak at the old mans project...which is coming along nicely I must say. Who can guess what it is?

Cheers guys

Yes that's what I thought as many remove it and fit the rare JDM cover for extra bling. Thanks

Hi all, Does anybody know the socket size I require to remove the engine cover? The car is at home and I am at the garage tools at the ready! Going to prep it for paint this week, the car will be sat outside with out the cover on (bonnet closed of course) I presume this will be ok? My guess is that it is for aesthetics and minor protection. Thanks

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I was after an anodized finished, I have a feeling Hammerite only offer gloss red?

Oh and this is the VHT paint mentioned above: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281122982634&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:GB:1123