What do you do to make your engine look pretty? :)
07-26-2010, 04:32 PM
#1
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What do you do to make your engine look pretty? :)
Ok, so I know that some aren't as concerned as others about the appearance of their engine bay... but I just am curious to see what ideas people have to make their engines look pretty 
For instance, NWP hardware tends to look good, many have FSTBs, which might have more of a "look" benefit than a performance benefit, and a good ol' SRI never hurts either hehe... I'm not toooo crazy with the aesthetics of my engine bay, but I have painted my engine cover, and put some red tape on a few of my wires/harnesses (ghetto, I know, but I like it... and there isn't tooooo much 
)... So just to be clear, this isn't JUST an engine cover thread... there've already been plenty of those. I was just curious as to what other bling/good stuff other people have done in this department (original ideas welcomed!).
Here's mine: (I know the pic is pretty huge...)
For instance, NWP hardware tends to look good, many have FSTBs, which might have more of a "look" benefit than a performance benefit, and a good ol' SRI never hurts either hehe... I'm not toooo crazy with the aesthetics of my engine bay, but I have painted my engine cover, and put some red tape on a few of my wires/harnesses (ghetto, I know, but I like it... and there isn't tooooo much )... So just to be clear, this isn't JUST an engine cover thread... there've already been plenty of those. I was just curious as to what other bling/good stuff other people have done in this department (original ideas welcomed!).Here's mine: (I know the pic is pretty huge...)
Last edited by jowo9; 12-22-2010 at 03:49 PM.
07-26-2010, 05:33 PM
#3
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 136
I havent done anything to my maxima yet except a quick detail. But the key is simple touches here and there. a little bit of red or blue is nice but it can be easily over done. here is my sentra, Its my toy and i have spent alot of time tweeking over the years, this is how it sits now
07-26-2010, 09:38 PM
#13
Keep it clean and simple. No need for fancy colors. Parts of my engine are painted, but painted stock color just to make them look new. I like to use clear coat on the aluminum after i clean it to keep it from oxidizing.
Last edited by bryan163; 07-26-2010 at 09:41 PM.
07-26-2010, 09:49 PM
#14
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No need for fancy colors when you've got a blower like that drawing all attention haha
Last edited by jowo9; 07-26-2010 at 09:52 PM.
07-27-2010, 12:32 AM
#15
Powdercoated ssim+fstb+nwp blockoff+Stillen batts tie down+fgate batts terminals
Nismo radiator and oil cap from Dave b
Nwp torque link
Wrapped ceramic coated Cattmans
Polished lines...etc...I get into trying to get mine as clean as Rochester's. Respect due.
07-27-2010, 04:20 AM
#16
07-27-2010, 04:36 AM
#17
I like the black piping and compressor housing. and the turbo blanket does a nice job keeping the rusty exhaust housing out of site. The bay is very clean too. Nice.
I kind of wish nissan didn't hide the 3.5s under such a large engine cover on the 5.5 gens. I like seeing the valve covers on motors.
07-27-2010, 05:31 AM
#18
Your UIM... it looks like you polished, painted, put on the NWP decal and then clear coated, yes?
07-27-2010, 05:41 AM
#20
Yikes! That's nice of you, but mine is just clean with bolt-on's. Yours, on the other hand, is clean and customized. From what I can see in this picture, your bay is the one more deserving of respect, not mine.
Your UIM... it looks like you polished, painted, put on the NWP decal and then clear coated, yes?
Your UIM... it looks like you polished, painted, put on the NWP decal and then clear coated, yes?
B
07-27-2010, 05:46 AM
#21
That kind of made my day.All you need for quality pictures is to introduce indirect lighting with a good external flash. Bounce the light, don't slam it.
07-27-2010, 05:51 AM
#22
i am looking in to buying a used SLR though. i think it would be a cool hobby to have.
B
07-27-2010, 09:08 AM
#23
Yikes! That's nice of you, but mine is just clean with bolt-on's. Yours, on the other hand, is clean and customized. From what I can see in this picture, your bay is the one more deserving of respect, not mine.
Your UIM... it looks like you polished, painted, put on the NWP decal and then clear coated, yes?
Your UIM... it looks like you polished, painted, put on the NWP decal and then clear coated, yes?
07-27-2010, 09:11 AM
#24
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: London, ON, Canada
Posts: 595
I honestly don't clean it.. I don't really care.
It's how it's maintained inside that matters.
I mainly don't bother because using any strong cleaning agents and water can often lead to problems, so just leaving it be is all I do.
It's how it's maintained inside that matters.
I mainly don't bother because using any strong cleaning agents and water can often lead to problems, so just leaving it be is all I do.
07-27-2010, 09:17 AM
#25
Trying to think of who else is known for entering threads only to dismiss the topic at hand. Can't think of his name right now, but it should come to me sooner or later...
07-27-2010, 10:43 AM
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: London, ON, Canada
Posts: 595
I like cold air intakes or air intakes because of removes other plastic and metal bits that just add clutter.
I think removing the VIAS setup on 5.5gen and up engines looks good (more simple)
07-27-2010, 01:01 PM
#34
Here's another simple bling: engine cover bolts. Clean them up with a wire wheel on the grinder, then prime and paint. I used a dark gray stove paint. They look great.
Here's another: reservoir caps. There are like 4 or 5 of them throughout. Just take them off, and clean them in the sink with 409 and a brush. Think about it... you know as you're reading this that your plastic caps are all gunked up with dirt.
Here's another: use stainless steel M6 bolts for all the pieces along the front frame. Replace them every year if you have to, they only cost pennies at Home Depot.
I'd really like to hear more simple and inexpensive engine detailing ideas. (Ahem... headers, NmexMAX?)
Here's another: reservoir caps. There are like 4 or 5 of them throughout. Just take them off, and clean them in the sink with 409 and a brush. Think about it... you know as you're reading this that your plastic caps are all gunked up with dirt.
Here's another: use stainless steel M6 bolts for all the pieces along the front frame. Replace them every year if you have to, they only cost pennies at Home Depot.
I'd really like to hear more simple and inexpensive engine detailing ideas. (Ahem... headers, NmexMAX?)
Last edited by Rochester; 10-13-2010 at 07:47 AM. Reason: M6, not 9M
07-27-2010, 01:05 PM
#35
B
07-27-2010, 04:31 PM
#38
Whenever I take anything out of the car to work on it it always get cleaned and painted before i put it back. It takes twice as long for me to get anything done, but its well worth it when you can pop your hood with pride.
wheel paint works well for dressing up aluminum parts and its very durable. ^
My GF laughed her *** off at me when she found me lovingly giving my transmission a sponge bath.
I Couldn't see putting anything back under the hood looking like this
wheel paint works well for dressing up aluminum parts and its very durable. ^
My GF laughed her *** off at me when she found me lovingly giving my transmission a sponge bath.
I Couldn't see putting anything back under the hood looking like this
Last edited by bryan163; 07-27-2010 at 04:49 PM.
