Winter Project #1 - Engine Lid Grill Mesh - LotusTalk

waydui · 02-06-2008, 05:53 PM

Time for another winter mod, replacing the black plastic slat grills on the engine lid cover with an aluminum mesh, à la Exige.

Tools and Supplies Summary:
1. Mesh from www.Customcargrills.com. I chose the Stacking Oval XXL Mesh. One sheet was enough to do the whole lid, with some left over. Maybe enough to do the side intakes, but not another lid.
2. Krylon Camouflage Ultra-Flat Black paint. Nice Matte finish, about 4-6 coats per piece of mesh.
3. Double-sided foam tape to hold mesh to underside of lid.
4. Rubber Mastic Tape to secure grill to lid. I made a "sandwich" of double-sided foam tape, mesh grill and mastic tape. Very solid construction and waterproof.
5. Hole Plugs, nylon locking to conceal/hide slat mounting holes on lid. I spray-painted the plugs black to blend in to the lid.

I made a template for each opening, cut out the wire mesh with Dremel, painted mesh, applied tape as needed, attached mesh, fitted plugs to lid holes (20 holes in all!!).

Pictures show installation process and final look.

If nothing else, I saved some weight!!

Regards,
Wayne

waydui · 02-06-2008, 05:58 PM

More Pics from Mesh Grill Mod

Regards,
Wayne

gameson · 02-06-2008, 06:30 PM

The thing about mesh grill is that when it rains or when you wash the car, water will go straight to the engine bay or trunk, compare to stock

RoadDad · 02-06-2008, 06:40 PM

Nicely done, Wayne. The only thing I personally would have done differently is screw it up

.

Aedo · 02-06-2008, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gameson

The thing about mesh grill is that when it rains or when you wash the car, water will go straight to the engine bay or trunk, compare to stock

In what way is this different to stock

RoadDad · 02-06-2008, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aedo

In what way is this different to stock

With the stock Elise slats the rain water runs into the engine bay only at an angle, never straight in

.

waydui · 02-06-2008, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gameson

The thing about mesh grill is that when it rains or when you wash the car, water will go straight to the engine bay or trunk, compare to stock

I considered this before I did the mod.

First, I don't drive the car in the rain (or snow either), it's a fair-weather toy.

Second, when I wash the car, I put a towel over the engine bay so it absorbs the water. Anal, I know...

I still have the original grills/slats, so I can change back quickly if needed.

Regards,
Wayne

Aedo · 02-06-2008, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoadDad

Nicely done, Wayne. The only thing I personally would have done differently is screw it up

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoadDad

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aedo

In what way is this different to stock

With the stock Elise slats the rain water runs into the engine bay only at an angle, never straight in

.

sorry - too subtle

- I should have also put in a

The engine gets wet when it rains in either case

shay2nak · 02-06-2008, 08:16 PM

you guys don't at least wash the engine down a little?

Ian · 02-06-2008, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoadDad

With the stock Elise slats the rain water runs into the engine bay only at an angle, never straight in

.

It goes straight in on the Exige and I've never heard of this causing a problem.

Westrock · 02-06-2008, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gameson

The thing about mesh grill is that when it rains or when you wash the car, water will go straight to the engine bay or trunk, compare to stock

Well, there is an alternative, but only the crazy go that direction.

Looks great though, love the mastic tape, it really finishes up would could be a very rough edge. Thats almost what the Exige looks like, except I think they used some kind of an epoxy to finish the edges.

knucklehead · 02-06-2008, 09:26 PM

The Exige doesn't block any water/rain. I have had one incidents where the car wouldn't start after a heavy rain. It probably was a coincidence, I think it was more of a battery issue since a jump solved the problem. The odd thing is that it never happened again. The car had just been driven from LA to SF two days before, so the problem was not from inactivity.

Great job on the mod!

E.D. · 02-23-2008, 10:22 AM

Wayne

Very nice job!
Do you have made pic's without the without towel on top of your engine? I'm very curious how it looks!

gameson · 02-23-2008, 11:04 AM

How about some backside/inside pics of the engine lid?

waydui · 03-02-2008, 11:59 AM

I finally put the engine lid back on the car after installing new engine lid grills.

BTW, a helper really comes in handy when re-installing the lid. Be sure to align the lid with the lock mechanism before securing the bolts (Don't ask me how I know!

)

Here are some pics of the engine lid on the car.

Regards,
Wayne

waydui · 03-02-2008, 12:02 PM

A few more shots...

Regards,
Wayne

swede · 03-02-2008, 12:06 PM

NICE!

kingjester · 05-23-2008, 09:35 PM

That looks amazing! Would you mind making me a set? I'd def pay

Frank Amoroso · 05-24-2008, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingjester

That looks amazing! Would you mind making me a set? I'd def pay

Either that, or would you lend out the templates? I have the FF header and would love not only the look that the mesh provides but the straight shot heat evacuation path. Only thing is that I have vinyl stripes on the car (and, hence, the lid). I wonder if that would mess up the program. Great job!

Greenstreak · 05-27-2008, 12:46 PM

Great execution! For such simple supplies and some time you really come out with a great mod.

02-06-2008, 05:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
waydui GR8 SCAPE Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kirtland, Ohio Posts: 855	Winter Project #1 - Engine Lid Grill Mesh Time for another winter mod, replacing the black plastic slat grills on the engine lid cover with an aluminum mesh, à la Exige. Tools and Supplies Summary: 1. Mesh from www.Customcargrills.com. I chose the Stacking Oval XXL Mesh. One sheet was enough to do the whole lid, with some left over. Maybe enough to do the side intakes, but not another lid. 2. Krylon Camouflage Ultra-Flat Black paint. Nice Matte finish, about 4-6 coats per piece of mesh. 3. Double-sided foam tape to hold mesh to underside of lid. 4. Rubber Mastic Tape to secure grill to lid. I made a "sandwich" of double-sided foam tape, mesh grill and mastic tape. Very solid construction and waterproof. 5. Hole Plugs, nylon locking to conceal/hide slat mounting holes on lid. I spray-painted the plugs black to blend in to the lid. I made a template for each opening, cut out the wire mesh with Dremel, painted mesh, applied tape as needed, attached mesh, fitted plugs to lid holes (20 holes in all!!). Pictures show installation process and final look. If nothing else, I saved some weight!! Regards, Wayne Attached Images __________________ _______________________ '05 Elise Magnetic Blue, Black interior, Touring, Hard Top, Star Shield, Stage II Exhaust, Arqray decat pipe, S2 Front Splitter (UK), Sector 111 Rear Tow Hook, Driving Lights, De-Snorkled, K&N Air Filter, Shift-I System, LSS Dampers & Springs, front shims removed, Alpine CDA-9856, Infinity Speakers, I-Touch adapter, Sector 111 V-Bar, Schroth Profi II 5 point harness, Exige S Probax seats, 1/4 turn undertray screws. Last edited by waydui : 03-02-2008 at 02:05 PM.

02-06-2008, 05:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
waydui GR8 SCAPE Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kirtland, Ohio Posts: 855	Winter Project #1 - More Pics More Pics from Mesh Grill Mod Regards, Wayne Attached Images __________________ _______________________ '05 Elise Magnetic Blue, Black interior, Touring, Hard Top, Star Shield, Stage II Exhaust, Arqray decat pipe, S2 Front Splitter (UK), Sector 111 Rear Tow Hook, Driving Lights, De-Snorkled, K&N Air Filter, Shift-I System, LSS Dampers & Springs, front shims removed, Alpine CDA-9856, Infinity Speakers, I-Touch adapter, Sector 111 V-Bar, Schroth Profi II 5 point harness, Exige S Probax seats, 1/4 turn undertray screws.

02-06-2008, 06:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
RoadDad 道のお父さん Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Hell Posts: 3,994	Nicely done, Wayne. The only thing I personally would have done differently is screw it up . __________________ "There are two things no man will admit he cannot do well: drive and make love" -- Stirling Moss Nunquam est ponenda pluralitas sine necessitate. Pluralitas non est ponenda sine necessitate. Pluralitas non est ponenda, nisi ubi est necessitas. Add RoadDad To My Ignore List

02-06-2008, 08:16 PM	#9 (permalink)
shay2nak GGM ENFORCER Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Land of da 1000 Oaks, CA Posts: 12,687	you guys don't at least wash the engine down a little? __________________ save ~10 lbs gain 1 hp EQ: Y=(190X) / (1984-X) where Y is (HP) and X is (lbs) '07 GG EXIGE S * MY CAR ** VIDEO CLIPS! '08 ACURA TSX 6-speed http://www.makeNYNYagain.com

02-06-2008, 09:26 PM	#12 (permalink)
knucklehead Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Marina del Rey, CA Posts: 2,981	The Exige doesn't block any water/rain. I have had one incidents where the car wouldn't start after a heavy rain. It probably was a coincidence, I think it was more of a battery issue since a jump solved the problem. The odd thing is that it never happened again. The car had just been driven from LA to SF two days before, so the problem was not from inactivity. Great job on the mod! Attached Images __________________ Jacob Join Lotuscar.ning.com for LA Lotus social events 05 Exise, 2bular 6 inch exhaust. BWR double adjustable Penske shocks, Hypercoil springs, HIDs, BWR front sway bar, Light weight PC680 battery w/BWR brace, BWR Black badges and wheel centers, Custom SCC paint job, SCC OEM Exige mesh kit and Exige rear clam details, LSD, Lotus sport clutch and light weight fly wheel. Sector front splitter. Stebel horn. Multivex Mirrors. Volk CE28 wheels

02-06-2008, 06:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
gameson Track Addict Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,819	The thing about mesh grill is that when it rains or when you wash the car, water will go straight to the engine bay or trunk, compare to stock

02-23-2008, 10:22 AM	#13 (permalink)
E.D. Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NYC/Amsterdam Posts: 590	Wayne Very nice job! Do you have made pic's without the without towel on top of your engine? I'm very curious how it looks! __________________ Enrico Laser Blue/Magnolia '06 Lotus Elise '07 BMW 335i (360whp&360 ft/lbs)

02-23-2008, 11:04 AM	#14 (permalink)
gameson Track Addict Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,819	How about some backside/inside pics of the engine lid?

03-02-2008, 11:59 AM	#15 (permalink)
waydui GR8 SCAPE Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kirtland, Ohio Posts: 855	I finally put the engine lid back on the car after installing new engine lid grills. BTW, a helper really comes in handy when re-installing the lid. Be sure to align the lid with the lock mechanism before securing the bolts (Don't ask me how I know! ) Here are some pics of the engine lid on the car. Regards, Wayne Attached Images __________________ _______________________ '05 Elise Magnetic Blue, Black interior, Touring, Hard Top, Star Shield, Stage II Exhaust, Arqray decat pipe, S2 Front Splitter (UK), Sector 111 Rear Tow Hook, Driving Lights, De-Snorkled, K&N Air Filter, Shift-I System, LSS Dampers & Springs, front shims removed, Alpine CDA-9856, Infinity Speakers, I-Touch adapter, Sector 111 V-Bar, Schroth Profi II 5 point harness, Exige S Probax seats, 1/4 turn undertray screws.

03-02-2008, 12:02 PM	#16 (permalink)
waydui GR8 SCAPE Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kirtland, Ohio Posts: 855	A few more shots... Regards, Wayne Attached Images __________________ _______________________ '05 Elise Magnetic Blue, Black interior, Touring, Hard Top, Star Shield, Stage II Exhaust, Arqray decat pipe, S2 Front Splitter (UK), Sector 111 Rear Tow Hook, Driving Lights, De-Snorkled, K&N Air Filter, Shift-I System, LSS Dampers & Springs, front shims removed, Alpine CDA-9856, Infinity Speakers, I-Touch adapter, Sector 111 V-Bar, Schroth Profi II 5 point harness, Exige S Probax seats, 1/4 turn undertray screws.

03-02-2008, 12:06 PM	#17 (permalink)
swede LEKSAK Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Hudson Posts: 524	NICE!

05-23-2008, 09:35 PM	#18 (permalink)
kingjester Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Manhattan and Westchester, NY Posts: 107	That looks amazing! Would you mind making me a set? I'd def pay

05-27-2008, 12:46 PM	#20 (permalink)
Greenstreak Lotus Wannabe Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Doylestown, Pa Posts: 309	Great execution! For such simple supplies and some time you really come out with a great mod. __________________ 2000 MR2 Spyder(s)

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