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Modified Engine Cover w/APS Strut Bar

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Old 03-20-2007, 05:55 PM
  #1  
350zfred5283
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Default Modified Engine Cover w/APS Strut Bar

Yo 11,

I just made some mods to my car and was kind of bummed out when I realized I could not put the engine cover back on because the APS strut bar interfered.

I think I'm going to take up a DIY project and modify the OEM engine cover to try to make it fit with the APS strut bar...it looks like with a dremmel, a little love, and a little luck, I might be able to make it work.

But, before I begin, has anyone tried to attempt this? If so, your input is most welcomed!

And if I F-up the cover, I'm thinking no big deal because it's not on anyways!

I'll have pics/updates as I begin working.

Late,
Nick
Old 03-20-2007, 09:01 PM
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Zivman
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Originally Posted by 350zfred5283
Yo 11,

I just made some mods to my car and was kind of bummed out when I realized I could not put the engine cover back on because the APS strut bar interfered.

I think I'm going to take up a DIY project and modify the OEM engine cover to try to make it fit with the APS strut bar...it looks like with a dremmel, a little love, and a little luck, I might be able to make it work.

But, before I begin, has anyone tried to attempt this? If so, your input is most welcomed!

And if I F-up the cover, I'm thinking no big deal because it's not on anyways!

I'll have pics/updates as I begin working.

Late,
Nick
Be a man and ditch the POS ugly engine cover
Old 03-21-2007, 03:24 AM
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350zfred5283
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I actually like the engine covers...especially the CF and the Nismo covers...but before I tried to modify one of those, I try to screw up the OEM one 1st.

Late,
Nick
Old 03-21-2007, 03:36 AM
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Here's an old pic.

Old 03-21-2007, 06:24 AM
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Originally Posted by 350zfred5283
I actually like the engine covers...especially the CF and the Nismo covers...but before I tried to modify one of those, I try to screw up the OEM one 1st.

Late,
Nick
if you got rid of it, after 2 days you won't miss it. Not only that, but you will think it looks cheesy when people attempt to make it work with these aftermarket strut bars
Old 03-21-2007, 06:24 AM
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Originally Posted by rpacman
Here's an old pic.

I'm sorry, but that looks terrible. It's one thing to make it fit with the strut bar, but cutting it to fit around the plenum just looks bad
Old 03-21-2007, 07:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Zivman
I'm sorry, but that looks terrible. It's one thing to make it fit with the strut bar, but cutting it to fit around the plenum just looks bad
everyone is entitled to their opinion. I could care less what think, though. I personally like what I did... Let's just leave it at that. The OP ask for pics, I delivered. It's the OP choice whether to attempt this himself or not. GL OP
Old 03-21-2007, 08:04 AM
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Originally Posted by rpacman
everyone is entitled to their opinion. I could care less what think, though. I personally like what I did... Let's just leave it at that. The OP ask for pics, I delivered. It's the OP choice whether to attempt this himself or not. GL OP
my point is why would you want the cover on there when you need to hack it up to make it fit? It isn't really providing anything functional, and it gets in the way when you need to work on the car. To each their own, but once you take it off, you will not miss it.


Form follows function - distantly I might add

Last edited by Zivman; 03-21-2007 at 08:30 AM.
Old 03-21-2007, 08:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Zivman
my point is why would you want the cover on there when you need to hack it up to make it fit? It isn't really providing anything functional, and it gets in the way when you need to work on the car. To each their own, but once you take it off, you will not miss it.
Zivman, i understand your point, but you have ask yourself what you define Function as. It's like you putting a blue oil cap. The color has nothing to do with it's function yet it is blue. You call it "Hack", I call it tasteful modification. The point, you are trying to make is, "Zivman knows what looks good" does not answer the OP request.
Old 03-21-2007, 08:27 AM
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Originally Posted by Zivman
Form follows funcition - distantly I might add
I guess that really depends on who you talk to. I also agree it doesn't look right all hacked up unless it's just around a supercharger belt or something.
Old 03-21-2007, 08:29 AM
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Originally Posted by rpacman
Zivman, i understand your point, but you have ask yourself what you define Function as. It's like you putting a blue oil cap. The color has nothing to do with it's function yet it is blue. You call it "Hack", I call it tasteful modification. The point, you are trying to make is, "Zivman knows what looks good" does not answer the OP request.
the oil cap was a present. I don't think it looks all that good either, but it also isn't getting in the way of things when it comes time to work on the car and I didn't have to hack it up to make it fit

Last edited by Zivman; 03-21-2007 at 08:31 AM.
Old 03-21-2007, 08:51 AM
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350zfred5283
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rpacman,

Did you just use a dremmel? If not, what other tools did you use to modify the cover?

Thanks,
Nick
Old 03-21-2007, 08:55 AM
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i like it. same reason ppl buy polished engine pieces, etc. whn u pop your hood and everything looks neat, and clean, and shiny, it looks good. regardless of being fast or not. unfortunately looks tend 2 win over performance for many. i try 2 balance out both. so +1 on the hack, i think it makes it look alot cleaner.
Old 03-21-2007, 10:04 AM
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Mine is actually cut in a similar fashion around my aps plenum...the whole prep, bondo fill, and paint was a present from my buddy. I think its mostly an issue of style, but with my vs2 hood, I like keeping the rain water off of the hot block directly since the vent is in the center...So in a way it is functional. In general though 80 percent of the mods that we do to these cars is to feed our own excentricities or just to be just a little different from the next guy, or maybe just because we're bored...what ever the reason, all that matters is that you think its cool.
Old 03-21-2007, 10:10 AM
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Originally Posted by 350zfred5283
rpacman,

Did you just use a dremmel? If not, what other tools did you use to modify the cover?

Thanks,
Nick
yup simple dremmel can do the job, that's what I did, but be patient and take your time. You dont want to HACK IT UP. lol GL
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