Engine Bay Thread
02-17-2013, 12:13 AM
#124
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That GT-Spec FSTB sure does make an impression in the G's engine bay.
I had the brackets acid-dipped and re-powdercoated in black, with a metallic flake clear-coat. The M10x75 pins and nuts were replaced with polished titanium bolts and titanium flange-nuts from Pro-Bolts.com. And I polished the bar itself to a chrome-like shine, effectively removing the GT-Spec logo from the middle of the bar.
I like to think it's a clean look, almost OEM. Very happy with the results.
I had the brackets acid-dipped and re-powdercoated in black, with a metallic flake clear-coat. The M10x75 pins and nuts were replaced with polished titanium bolts and titanium flange-nuts from Pro-Bolts.com. And I polished the bar itself to a chrome-like shine, effectively removing the GT-Spec logo from the middle of the bar.
I like to think it's a clean look, almost OEM. Very happy with the results.
03-24-2013, 11:42 PM
#125
Pretty simple still. Cusco strut brace and Takeda long tubes soon. Looking to do something with the radiator cover and putter black plastic on the engine cover. Was thinking of painting it gloss black or wrapping it in 3M Dinoc. The engine cover paint matches my calipers and the Infiniti emblem is done in black chrome.
03-25-2013, 08:22 AM
#126
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^^^
I really do like the black coolant reservoir. It's a very nice detail, that flows really well with the rest of the plastic. But how are you able to see the fill line? Either way, you've definitely sparked this idea with me. Thanks!
See that you painted the dipstick black. Also a nice detail.
I'm using the same JDM oil cap... love that cap. Mines about 4 years old, so be forewarned that it will start to yellow over time, probably with heat. (I need a new one.) Also, I ditched the center sticker, thinking that NISMO wasn't appropriate branding when there's nothing NISMO on the car.
I'm not at all feeling the blue, anodized hose clamps. And while braided hose lines always look awesome when you put them on, good luck keeping them clean. Braided lines, whether steel or nylon, invariably look like pooh after a while on a daily driver. In this particular case, they do look good... because new. Actually, the main hose looks good, I don't think I'd dress up the little overflow and lines. That's kind of busy, IMO.
However, I absolutely LOVE that painted engine cover!
That looks fantastic! Was that a DIY, or did you take it to a paint shop? If DIY, what color and paint, please? While OT to engine bling, can you post a picture of the matched calipers, since you mentioned it? I also have the 6MT Sedan, and have always considered an amber/orange/gold look to the Akebono BBK, so I'd like to see yours, please.
I really do like the black coolant reservoir. It's a very nice detail, that flows really well with the rest of the plastic. But how are you able to see the fill line? Either way, you've definitely sparked this idea with me. Thanks!
See that you painted the dipstick black. Also a nice detail.
I'm using the same JDM oil cap... love that cap. Mines about 4 years old, so be forewarned that it will start to yellow over time, probably with heat. (I need a new one.) Also, I ditched the center sticker, thinking that NISMO wasn't appropriate branding when there's nothing NISMO on the car.
I'm not at all feeling the blue, anodized hose clamps. And while braided hose lines always look awesome when you put them on, good luck keeping them clean. Braided lines, whether steel or nylon, invariably look like pooh after a while on a daily driver. In this particular case, they do look good... because new. Actually, the main hose looks good, I don't think I'd dress up the little overflow and lines. That's kind of busy, IMO.
However, I absolutely LOVE that painted engine cover!
That looks fantastic! Was that a DIY, or did you take it to a paint shop? If DIY, what color and paint, please? While OT to engine bling, can you post a picture of the matched calipers, since you mentioned it? I also have the 6MT Sedan, and have always considered an amber/orange/gold look to the Akebono BBK, so I'd like to see yours, please.
Last edited by Rochester; 03-25-2013 at 08:35 AM.
03-25-2013, 08:33 PM
#127
As for being able to see the coolant level in the reservoir, I masked off a strip where the min/max indicator is.
Thanks for the heads up on the oil cap, luckily it's not too expensive so if it starts to look like crap ill just buy another.
I personally am a fan of the braided hoses, which is why I did it lol. I knew it wouldn't be for everyone and they actually don't look as nice in the picture. I think they look much nicer in person and hopefully I can keep them clean. If they lose their look I'll eventually swap them out for some blue silicone hoses. My thoughts behind the blue anodized clamps are they will match the cusco strut bar mounts which are also anodized blue. Hopefully it'll all tie together when finished.
The gold on the engine cover is DIY. I've been painting my own things for years and have gotten pretty good with rattle cans and spray guns. No primer, no clear, just base and I didn't sand it, to keep the texture of how it was originally. Here's a few pics of the brakes and the paint is VHT. I think it's called gold flake. There are 2 colors that are pretty close. One is burnt copper that I used on my friends G and I use the gold flake on mine. I think I like the burnt copper better honestly.
And here's the burnt copper on my buddies
Thanks for the heads up on the oil cap, luckily it's not too expensive so if it starts to look like crap ill just buy another.
I personally am a fan of the braided hoses, which is why I did it lol. I knew it wouldn't be for everyone and they actually don't look as nice in the picture. I think they look much nicer in person and hopefully I can keep them clean. If they lose their look I'll eventually swap them out for some blue silicone hoses. My thoughts behind the blue anodized clamps are they will match the cusco strut bar mounts which are also anodized blue. Hopefully it'll all tie together when finished.
The gold on the engine cover is DIY. I've been painting my own things for years and have gotten pretty good with rattle cans and spray guns. No primer, no clear, just base and I didn't sand it, to keep the texture of how it was originally. Here's a few pics of the brakes and the paint is VHT. I think it's called gold flake. There are 2 colors that are pretty close. One is burnt copper that I used on my friends G and I use the gold flake on mine. I think I like the burnt copper better honestly.
And here's the burnt copper on my buddies
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03-25-2013, 09:36 PM
#128
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The gold on the engine cover is DIY. I've been painting my own things for years and have gotten pretty good with rattle cans and spray guns. No primer, no clear, just base and I didn't sand it, to keep the texture of how it was originally. Here's a few pics of the brakes and the paint is VHT. I think it's called gold flake. There are 2 colors that are pretty close. One is burnt copper that I used on my friends G and I use the gold flake on mine. I think I like the burnt copper better honestly.
BTW, I'm glad you posted and posted back. And you're absolutely right about the braided lines and oil cap... when/if they go bad, that's just an opportunity to try something else.
Last edited by Rochester; 03-25-2013 at 09:47 PM.
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Sway_NV (08-25-2014)
03-26-2013, 12:44 AM
#129
What did I use as far as paint for the reservoir? Or to mask it off?
VHT SP404 Gold Flake to be exact, and yes, rattle can on the cover.
Gotta switch it up man, you get bored, guys on here get bored of thousand dollar items, If i get bored with some $50 braided hoses, then I'm not doing too bad lol.
By the way, the if you do use the VHT rattle can, test it out, the flake lays kind of weird, you need to lay real light coats and build up. If you lay too heavy of a coat it really shows and is pretty easy to do, so just get use to it because its not very forgiving. Theres always sanding and redoing it, but I try to do things right the first time lol.
VHT SP404 Gold Flake to be exact, and yes, rattle can on the cover.
Gotta switch it up man, you get bored, guys on here get bored of thousand dollar items, If i get bored with some $50 braided hoses, then I'm not doing too bad lol.
By the way, the if you do use the VHT rattle can, test it out, the flake lays kind of weird, you need to lay real light coats and build up. If you lay too heavy of a coat it really shows and is pretty easy to do, so just get use to it because its not very forgiving. Theres always sanding and redoing it, but I try to do things right the first time lol.
03-26-2013, 08:17 AM
#130
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The paint. I'm assuming a plastic paint, but asking anyway, since you did it.
Excellent. Thanks, TwoThree. And you really did that without primer or clear-coat, eh? I can't help but feel there should be primer under that.
Good advice taken. Gracias.
Excellent. Thanks, TwoThree. And you really did that without primer or clear-coat, eh? I can't help but feel there should be primer under that.
Good advice taken. Gracias.
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bikezilla (11-18-2015)
03-26-2013, 01:15 PM
#133
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Thanks bluedevils95 looks very clean. ^^
I can't keep my bay clean because I am missing bottom engine cover and wheel wells and have vented hood and weather sucks around here....rain snow rain snow on and on...with extra salt for our G. I will update my bay with another CAI and post pics.
I can't keep my bay clean because I am missing bottom engine cover and wheel wells and have vented hood and weather sucks around here....rain snow rain snow on and on...with extra salt for our G. I will update my bay with another CAI and post pics.
03-28-2013, 08:57 AM
#134
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Before actually whipping out paint cans and masking tape, I shopped what it would look like if I painted the the engine cover the way TwoThree did here. The color isn't a perfect match, but I'm still very much liking how it looks with that center gray section painted. This is almost a light copper look.
Anyway, still think I like it. Should be a fun little project this Spring.
Anyway, still think I like it. Should be a fun little project this Spring.
