Mesh grill feeler. - Page 4 - LotusTalk

Kiowapilot · 10-19-2008, 08:39 PM

I changed up the design a little. Read the first post for updated info.

darkSol · 10-24-2008, 01:03 PM

I received the rear engine mesh "kit" from Kiowapilot (Chris) yesterday.

I installed it earlier today... it took just about 3 hours, most of that was cleaning/preparing the stock lid for installation.

I'll post instructions/impressions later tonight but until then here are a couple teaser pictures:

EDIT: I'll post sometime later this weekend - kiddies are dragging me to a pumpkin patch! Ahhh.

biscoradio · 10-24-2008, 02:14 PM

Looks good on gg. I eagerly await your instructions / impressions...

Kiowapilot · 10-24-2008, 06:24 PM

Man those look great. I wish I had a set. lol.

Glad you like them DarkSol.

darkSol · 10-26-2008, 08:14 AM

Ok, here are my promised installation notes:

Total installation time, including removing/reinstalling the engine cover was just about 3 hours:

1) 10 minutes to remove the cover

2) 10 minutes to remove (and break into pieces) the stock slats. I have no idea how you would remove the brittle things otherwise. Replacement cost for all four pieces is about $160 (source: LotusGarage).

3) 40 minutes to use a hair dryer / peel back / remove all the stock sticky double sided tape

4) 60 minutes to use Goo Gone and a Scotch green J-cloth to remove all the residue (worst job by far!) My fingers still hurt from this step...

5) 10 minutes to clean up the cover with soap and water / microfiber towel dry

6) 30 minutes to install the mesh grills. I tried all the fastening methods. My findings:

- aluminum rivets will work but are absolutely permanent

- plastic rivets sometimes didn't work sometimes with my rivet gun (couldn't get it to "pull" after repeated racheting).

- xmas fasteners were the best - and were used on all the holes except for the four farthest rear ones

- the stock engine rearmount lid holes were drilled too close to the base (bottom) and the xmas fasteners could not be mounted flush so I used the plastic rivets instead. Now that I think about it I guess a "slice" could be cut from the fastener with side cutters.

7) 20 minutes to reinstall/realign the cover (I hate those damn washers!)

One of the issues I discovered WHICH IS NOT KIOWA's problem whatsoever is that there were a great deal of scratches and small gouges underneath the stock plastic slats - touchup paint WILL be required.

I really like the look but with all the little scratches (and I SUCK at touchup paint) I'm actually considering to have a body shop fill all the 20 holes and repainting the whole cover - and then double sided tape / flexasil the mesh underneath. I don't mind the look of the xmas tree fasteners, plastic rivets and rear plugs but IF I was going to paint the cover anyway...

Here's some pictures!

darkSol · 10-26-2008, 08:15 AM

More pictures...

Whiskey · 11-04-2008, 12:30 AM

Its November!

Any chance to work on the lower front three mesh grills?

biodan · 11-04-2008, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkSol

More pictures...

David, did you make or buy the mesh for the rear panel (in front of the exhaust)?

darkSol · 11-04-2008, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biodan

David, did you make or buy the mesh for the rear panel (in front of the exhaust)?

As PM'd... check here:

Challenger Grill

madden · 11-04-2008, 10:56 AM

any updates on the progress of the front grills?

thomasde · 11-04-2008, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkSol

More pictures...

Looks good. One question: You used goof-off. Does goof-off affect the paint at all?

Kiowapilot · 11-05-2008, 04:55 AM

I used it on mine. It did not seem to hurt it.

pMarty · 11-05-2008, 06:17 AM

DarkSol
"2) 10 minutes to remove (and break into pieces) the stock slats. I have no idea how you would remove the brittle things otherwise. Replacement cost for all four pieces is about $160 (source: LotusGarage)."

if you are able to get dental floss through the crack try running it back and forth with a sawing motion, as you pull it along the tape line. this has worked on some two sided tapes for me in the past. you'll be left with half the tape still attached, but the parts wont be broken.

dma550 · 11-05-2008, 07:03 AM

Watch the ventilation with the goof off. I had to remove glue mess from a gluedown floor with it and I am sure I reduced my IQ by about 10 points doing it.

Kiowapilot · 11-05-2008, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madden

any updates on the progress of the front grills?

I am getting very few sales from the engine grills so I am not developing as fast as I would have liked to. Money has been a little tight lately so I have not made much progress. When I get some money I should be able to get these developed really fast. Maybe later this month or early next month I will make more progress. I have pretty much figured out the design now all I have to do is get the money together to build the first set for my car. Once that is done I will be ready to "produce" them in larger quantities as the orders come in. I figure it will take about 2 days to build up a full set and then a few days to get them powdercoated from the time of order.

How about this. For a limited time I will lower the price on the engine grills to try to generate atleast a little development money. So for the guys who are waiting for the full set to come out this will save you some money. Sorry DarkSol.

Until November 20th I will sell the engine grill sets for $130 Shipped powdercoated or $120 shipped Bare Aluminum. Turn around time from the time of order is approximately 2 weeks as these are made to order and not a stocked item.

If anyone is interested PM me with your options. Powdercoated or bare aluminum and fastener type.

rugger1345 · 11-06-2008, 06:31 AM

Engine grills ordered!

I will try and install as quickly as possible but with long hours at work doing budgeting for oil/gas wells drilled next year, rugby, gym, and whatnot, it might take a few days between the time I get the grills and when I can get them installed with pics up. I will probably remove the old grill as soon as I get shipping confirmation just to get that out of the way.

I ordered mine black powder coated with aluminum pop rivets, fyi.

Kiowapilot · 11-06-2008, 11:16 AM

Sounds good. They will be shipped soon. Thanks for the order.

Phil S · 11-07-2008, 09:09 AM

Do "all" engine hoods have holes drilled on the sides. Took a look last night (in the dark) but did not see any attach holes in the side of the grill area. Mine is an 07. I want to attach without tape but don't want to drill any new holes.

Faze · 11-07-2008, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil S

Do "all" engine hoods have holes drilled on the sides. Took a look last night (in the dark) but did not see any attach holes in the side of the grill area. Mine is an 07. I want to attach without tape but don't want to drill any new holes.

Yes, the "holes" are actually screw holes that result from removing the OEM slats.

Kiowapilot · 11-07-2008, 01:23 PM

The holes are there. I have no idea why they exist because they are not used at all except for the 4 back holes which have plastic rivets. If you look at your lid from underneath you will see the holes.

10-19-2008, 08:39 PM	#61 (permalink)
Kiowapilot Mesh grill guy Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ft. Lewis, Washington. Posts: 140	I changed up the design a little. Read the first post for updated info. __________________ 2005 Elise "magnetic Blue" Bone stock..... Not for long. "Fun in the sun..... Lotus Elise." "fun in the sand.....OH-58D Kiowa Warrior." If the line for most people is right here, I will be hanging out over there--->

10-24-2008, 01:03 PM	#62 (permalink)
darkSol Meow!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Leawood, KS Posts: 2,576	I received the rear engine mesh "kit" from Kiowapilot (Chris) yesterday. I installed it earlier today... it took just about 3 hours, most of that was cleaning/preparing the stock lid for installation. I'll post instructions/impressions later tonight but until then here are a couple teaser pictures: EDIT: I'll post sometime later this weekend - kiddies are dragging me to a pumpkin patch! Ahhh. Attached Images __________________ d.a..v...i....d David Thomas Stewart - davidtstewart@gmail.com TVS Supercharged 2005 Graphite Grey Lotus Elise: 286whp, 1781lbs. Lotus cars aren't made, they're hand built from dreams. If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you've never tried before. Last edited by darkSol : 10-25-2008 at 07:11 AM.

10-24-2008, 06:24 PM	#64 (permalink)
Kiowapilot Mesh grill guy Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ft. Lewis, Washington. Posts: 140	Man those look great. I wish I had a set. lol. Glad you like them DarkSol. __________________ 2005 Elise "magnetic Blue" Bone stock..... Not for long. "Fun in the sun..... Lotus Elise." "fun in the sand.....OH-58D Kiowa Warrior." If the line for most people is right here, I will be hanging out over there--->

10-26-2008, 08:14 AM	#65 (permalink)
darkSol Meow!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Leawood, KS Posts: 2,576	Ok, here are my promised installation notes: Total installation time, including removing/reinstalling the engine cover was just about 3 hours: 1) 10 minutes to remove the cover 2) 10 minutes to remove (and break into pieces) the stock slats. I have no idea how you would remove the brittle things otherwise. Replacement cost for all four pieces is about $160 (source: LotusGarage). 3) 40 minutes to use a hair dryer / peel back / remove all the stock sticky double sided tape 4) 60 minutes to use Goo Gone and a Scotch green J-cloth to remove all the residue (worst job by far!) My fingers still hurt from this step... 5) 10 minutes to clean up the cover with soap and water / microfiber towel dry 6) 30 minutes to install the mesh grills. I tried all the fastening methods. My findings: - aluminum rivets will work but are absolutely permanent - plastic rivets sometimes didn't work sometimes with my rivet gun (couldn't get it to "pull" after repeated racheting). - xmas fasteners were the best - and were used on all the holes except for the four farthest rear ones - the stock engine rearmount lid holes were drilled too close to the base (bottom) and the xmas fasteners could not be mounted flush so I used the plastic rivets instead. Now that I think about it I guess a "slice" could be cut from the fastener with side cutters. 7) 20 minutes to reinstall/realign the cover (I hate those damn washers!) One of the issues I discovered WHICH IS NOT KIOWA's problem whatsoever is that there were a great deal of scratches and small gouges underneath the stock plastic slats - touchup paint WILL be required. I really like the look but with all the little scratches (and I SUCK at touchup paint) I'm actually considering to have a body shop fill all the 20 holes and repainting the whole cover - and then double sided tape / flexasil the mesh underneath. I don't mind the look of the xmas tree fasteners, plastic rivets and rear plugs but IF I was going to paint the cover anyway... Here's some pictures! Attached Images __________________ d.a..v...i....d David Thomas Stewart - davidtstewart@gmail.com TVS Supercharged 2005 Graphite Grey Lotus Elise: 286whp, 1781lbs. Lotus cars aren't made, they're hand built from dreams. If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you've never tried before.

10-26-2008, 08:15 AM	#66 (permalink)
darkSol Meow!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Leawood, KS Posts: 2,576	More pictures... Attached Images __________________ d.a..v...i....d David Thomas Stewart - davidtstewart@gmail.com TVS Supercharged 2005 Graphite Grey Lotus Elise: 286whp, 1781lbs. Lotus cars aren't made, they're hand built from dreams. If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you've never tried before.

10-24-2008, 02:14 PM	#63 (permalink)
biscoradio GG #668 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: chicago Posts: 302 Images: 2	Looks good on gg. I eagerly await your instructions / impressions...

11-04-2008, 12:30 AM	#67 (permalink)
Whiskey Love is More Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Athens, Ohio Posts: 200	Its November! Any chance to work on the lower front three mesh grills? __________________ Will WTB: Elise Hardtop with Hardware - Storm Ti. (Color Code B121) Please send PM Elise: My process of adding exige side scoops (+ Front Mesh) \| 2005 Lotus Elise : Sport Pack : Biscuit Touring Pack : Storm Ti \| BWR Supercharger \| Exige Side ducts and front mesh \| LETSLA Short Shifter (ordered) \|

11-04-2008, 10:56 AM	#70 (permalink)
madden Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northern, VA Posts: 616	any updates on the progress of the front grills?

11-05-2008, 04:55 AM	#72 (permalink)
Kiowapilot Mesh grill guy Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ft. Lewis, Washington. Posts: 140	I used it on mine. It did not seem to hurt it. __________________ 2005 Elise "magnetic Blue" Bone stock..... Not for long. "Fun in the sun..... Lotus Elise." "fun in the sand.....OH-58D Kiowa Warrior." If the line for most people is right here, I will be hanging out over there--->

11-05-2008, 06:17 AM	#73 (permalink)
pMarty Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 91	DarkSol "2) 10 minutes to remove (and break into pieces) the stock slats. I have no idea how you would remove the brittle things otherwise. Replacement cost for all four pieces is about $160 (source: LotusGarage)." if you are able to get dental floss through the crack try running it back and forth with a sawing motion, as you pull it along the tape line. this has worked on some two sided tapes for me in the past. you'll be left with half the tape still attached, but the parts wont be broken. __________________ 2006 BMW 330xi 2005 Lotus Elise 1998 Jeep XJ "Rubicon" 1983 VW Westfalia 1974 Toyota FJ40

11-05-2008, 07:03 AM	#74 (permalink)
dma550 Yahoo! Got my Rotus! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: CT, Shoreline area Posts: 1,189	Watch the ventilation with the goof off. I had to remove glue mess from a gluedown floor with it and I am sure I reduced my IQ by about 10 points doing it. __________________ David Avery 05 Lotus Elise ~ Arctic Silver ~ BWR SC ~ Gray RACs ~ Larini SE 08 BMW 135i Stock visit Spyderclub.com

11-06-2008, 06:31 AM	#76 (permalink)
rugger1345 Simplify and Add Lightnes Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 131	Engine grills ordered! I will try and install as quickly as possible but with long hours at work doing budgeting for oil/gas wells drilled next year, rugby, gym, and whatnot, it might take a few days between the time I get the grills and when I can get them installed with pics up. I will probably remove the old grill as soon as I get shipping confirmation just to get that out of the way. I ordered mine black powder coated with aluminum pop rivets, fyi. __________________ If we desire respect for the law, we must first make the law respectable. -Louis D. Brandeis DID YOU HEAR THAT, COP IN BIG LAKE, TEXAS?

11-06-2008, 11:16 AM	#77 (permalink)
Kiowapilot Mesh grill guy Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ft. Lewis, Washington. Posts: 140	Sounds good. They will be shipped soon. Thanks for the order. __________________ 2005 Elise "magnetic Blue" Bone stock..... Not for long. "Fun in the sun..... Lotus Elise." "fun in the sand.....OH-58D Kiowa Warrior." If the line for most people is right here, I will be hanging out over there--->

11-07-2008, 09:09 AM	#78 (permalink)
Phil S 2007 Phantom Black Elise Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 211	Do "all" engine hoods have holes drilled on the sides. Took a look last night (in the dark) but did not see any attach holes in the side of the grill area. Mine is an 07. I want to attach without tape but don't want to drill any new holes.

11-07-2008, 01:23 PM	#80 (permalink)
Kiowapilot Mesh grill guy Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ft. Lewis, Washington. Posts: 140	The holes are there. I have no idea why they exist because they are not used at all except for the 4 back holes which have plastic rivets. If you look at your lid from underneath you will see the holes. __________________ 2005 Elise "magnetic Blue" Bone stock..... Not for long. "Fun in the sun..... Lotus Elise." "fun in the sand.....OH-58D Kiowa Warrior." If the line for most people is right here, I will be hanging out over there--->

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