Like the title says, I have a question about chroming engine parts. I would like to either chrome or chrome powdercoat the valve cover. I will also be chroming other parts such as my strut tower bars, radiator top mounting brackets and other misc. small parts. My ? is, will chroming only the front valve cover and not the rear, affect heat in one head and not the other? Most people agree that chrome retains heat and I don't think it would be good to have one head running 20-30 degrees hotter than the other. Any input will be appreciated.

 

anyone?? Daniel? Scubasteve? anyone?

 

maybe a lil bit of temp diffference but nothing to be concerned about.....as i am also going to powder coat my front valve cover Chrome....as soon as i pick my damn oven up....ill let u know how it turns out

 

Just out of curiosity, how much would it cost to powder coat/chrome the valve cover? It would look nice, but I was wondering how much it would set me back.

 

well if u were to send it to me and do it it would cost u shipping...15 for metal prep if u dont do it a and 30 for coating....and i would cover shipping back to u...and it would look flawless

 

Wow, I thought it would be more, but I have never looked into powder coating. Thanks for the info.

 

it not really expensive to do once u have the equipment....i mean i am still making a profit at that kind of pricing but still dirt cheap for u....the local "professionfal " in Buffalo would want double that plus prep

 

I have read articles in the past about the different colors and chrome plating have on the heat of an engine. It was from my VW beetle days when the air cooling effeciency was extremly important....so Im not so sure it means as much on a somewhat "stock" water cooled vq engine (or any other water cooled engine for that matter).

The article went on to test the temp of the engine oil with the valve covers painted (all the normal colors red, blue, silver, ect), unpainted for a control, black, and chrome.

Out of all the colors including the unpainted valve cover, the black kept the engine 10 degrees cooler. The chrome was actually the WORST! It raised the temp quite a bit.

Now if you notice, all major high performance RACE engines from INDY, Perfessional drag racing, and Nascar have their engines very clean. There is no chrome, ever. I believe this is for a reason....they invest alot of money in squeezing every bit of power out of their engines.

I hope that unbiased and helps you with your answer.

 

Thanks everyone! I have always heard that chrome will increase temp but I am hoping that powder coating will eliminate that problem. Apparently the process of chroming is what retains the heat. Powder coating is supposed to eliminate this since the process is completely different.

 

true real chrome will increase temp...and powder by chemical property will disipate heat