So a while back, I wanted to start replacing the ugly OEM under hood bolts with something similar to GalleryFresh or PasswordJDM style bolts, but the price-tag on those turned me away really fast (SRSLY guys? That much, for freaking bolts?!? )

So I started doing a bunch of R&D on different bolts styles/suppliers/finishes/ways to finish the bolts/etc... and came up with something I was happy with:





After seeing them, several members approached me about making some for them, which I did:



...but I'm not really into retail (and trying to be a vendor on this site is a huge PITA) and people started hounding me about wanting bolt sets but didn't like waiting (had very limited time to do these, and conditions have to be juuuust right for the paint) so I quit doing them.

Well, recently there's been a huge resurgence in interest, so in the interest of benefiting the community, here's all the info you'll need


1st - Bolts
Most of the bolts you'll need are M6x1.0 thread. Get 25mm length for most of them, and a few 16mm (some of the bolts have to be very short)
http://www.allensfasteners.com/detai...oduct_ID=70507
For the bolts around the perimeter of the plenum, 25mm is perfect, there are either 9 or 10... I can't remember for sure. You'll also need 4x60mm and 3x40mm and 2 M6 nuts (chrome ones look nice http://www.allensfasteners.com/detai...oduct_ID=00079)
If you have a 5/16 or 3/8 spacer, add 10mm to each bolt size.
The larger ones that hold on the radiator support are M8x1.25x20mm
Also, the nuts for your strut towers are M8x1.25
Now if you really want baller status, you can get the bolts in chrome instead of stainless... and they are very shiny: http://www.allensfasteners.com/detai...oduct_ID=70665
Also, these look great for the throttle body (especially if you have a polished TB and plenum) http://www.allensfasteners.com/detai...oduct_ID=70651 get them in 60mm and add 4 M6 chrome washers to complete the look: http://www.allensfasteners.com/detai...oduct_ID=20200
Some guys use this style around the plenum, which looks good as well.

2nd - Washers
Ok, other than the flat washers (which you can find easily enough on allensfasteners) you'll also need the countersink washers.
These are the ones I got:
http://www.drillspot.com/products/51...tersunk_Washer
http://www.drillspot.com/products/51...tersunk_Washer
you'll need two sizes, because the larger ones work nice and look good down the fenders, but don't fit well in tight places like on the plenum, etc...
You can also get these at Grainger stores with the same item numbers (1NU85 and 1NU86)
If you're doing the really large ones on the radiator support, you'll want to get some 5/16th ones along with your allensfasteners order: http://www.allensfasteners.com/detai...oduct_ID=20220
For the ones under the strut tower bolts, you'll have to do some experimenting, but I believe a 5/16th washer will fit, and might look a bit better or be easier/cheaper to get.
Probably be worth it to pick up a couple different styles with your order... if people update this thread with their findings, I'll add it to this post.

3rd finishing (optional)
If you just want a straight up stainless look, you don't really have to do anything



otherwise, the best looking finish is DupliColor Metalcast. http://www.duplicolor.com/products/metalCast/

I've tried several paints, and this one is by far the best looking. The colors are transparent, so you don't want to use any primer, because you want to be able to see the reflective metal underneath.
Usually about 3 very light coats is perfect. The biggest trick is getting them even all the way around... I usually just do a quick pass from 3 different angles (120 degrees apart) and repeat that process for each coat.
Also, the weather has to be just right for this paint, otherwise it will turn hazy really quick, and you have to strip it all off and start over.
The only problem is, since you're not doing any priming, it can chip fairly easy, so your best bet is just to be really careful when you install them, and make several extras to replace any that get chipped over time.


All in all, your materials, paint, and shipping should all be way way WAY less that what pretty much any custom bolt kit out there will cost you, and the results are always a big hit at shows

 

Good looking alternative to OEM finishers. Nice work.

 

nice work, in for reference

 

yeah, very nice work. will save this one.

 

Very nice. Do you have any full engine shots?

 

The "allen head" bolt heads really look clean.
I'm not a big fan of the colored collars though.
I prefer the pic showing the collar(silver/polished)
that matches the bolt head.I've done some similar
detailing on the OEM bolts on my engine.I used snap on
chrome caps.A bit pricey but really look great with my
black/carbon fiber/polish metal color scheme.
What was the cost of doing your engine bolts with these parts?

 

thank you for the detailed thread, pics of entire engine bay shots?

 

Great thread!!! I'm part of that resurgence of interest and could not justify the insane price tag on bolt kits.

Thx a million times over for this!

 

Well, ~$18 will get you all the washers you'll ever need (100 of each size)
and then the bolts range from $0.14 to $0.32 depending on what length you get (most of the ones you'll need are $0.16)
So another 20 gets you a crap ton of bolts... (but you have to add for shipping)
And like $6-7 for paint, if you paint.

 

Awesome!..
Thank you sir..

 

great info.

 

looks good! thanks.

 

found my new project! i hope mine comes close to yours, dude. it looks awesome

 

Thanks

 

Really great info here!

I'm trying to get the counts for my order, but I'm getting confused (I'm not the brightest)... Any help would be great! I don't mind ordering extra, but I'm just trying not to miss anything! Thanks!

I'm comparing what you have listed and your pic to what nosurf2day has, and what motordyne spacer documentation has.

Unless otherwise listed, everything is 1.00 pitch.

plenum
9 m6x25mm
3 m6x40mm
4 m6x60mm
2 m6 nuts
6? m6x16mm

plenum w/ spacer (from motordyne doc)
11 m6x35mm
3 m6x55mm
4 m6x70mm
18 m6 washers

strut
6 m10x1.25x30mm (motordyne/nosurf2day)
8 m10 washers (nosurf2day)
2 m10x1.25 nuts (nosurf2day)
6 m8x1.25 nuts

radiator support
4 m8x1.25x20mm
4 5/16 counter-sunk washers

throttle body
4 m6x60mm of these
4 m6 flat washers - chrome

power steering
3 m6x30mm (nosurf2day)

Misc
100pk #12 counter sunk washer
100pk 1/4" counter sunk washer
10ish m6 flat washers
10ish m8 flat washers
10ish m10 flat washers
10ish extra m6x25mm
10ish extra m6x16mm

What are the bolts circled?



Thanks again for posting this!

 

so who wants to buy everything i need for this and let me pay them so i dont **** up and get the wrong stuff lmao

 

I would be so down to jump on a group buy, so long as they include spacers required for motordyne plenum spacer and strutt kit as mentioned. That and I rather not wait for a year and a half on bolts

 

i dont need the spacers lol i just want to know that i get exactly what i need lol

 

Man, we were doing the same thing. I'm going to work off of your list and do an HR version as well.

Only real difference being no plenum bolts, dual throttle bodies and getting the engine cover bolts/nuts.

 

i think I'm just going to polish my strut bar. but i would also like someone to order everything and put it into a nice package for me to install lol