making the engine pretty

Putting spats on a pig...

It's a little thing but they add up. The inside fiberglass clam edge around the engine bay is raw and unfinished. Buy some simple black automotive door edge trim to clean it up. It also keeps you from scraping your knuckles and arms when you're working on he engine from above.

I'd like to buy some CF valve and intake covers but most are just too expensive (especially the super simple flat valve cover) for what they are. (Waiting for a "sale".)

It would be nice to have some sleek covers or replacements for some of the hoses but I also don't want it to have a cheap tuner look either.

really...
Just leave it as is and buy some artwork for home.

holmz said:

really...
Just leave it as is and buy some artwork for home.

Click to expand...

Hmmm... You seem emotionally invested in this topic. I don't know why this bothers you so much.... I suspect some latent engine bay inadequacy issues that you have failed to consciously address... Maybe you should consult an automotive psychologist.

You could clean up your VF2 install by relocating the wiring loom and injector wires underneath the intake manifold.

-Robert

GR82DRV said:

Hmmm... You seem emotionally invested in this topic. I don't know why this bothers you so much.... I suspect some latent engine bay inadequacy issues that you have failed to consciously address... Maybe you should consult an automotive psychologist.

Click to expand...

Well decorating the engine only serves an emotional purpose.
For the $ buying some artwork, instruction, or about anything else makes more financial sense. However it it makes you happy then do it.

I have two questions -

1.) do people take their plastic Lotus cover off and paint it ( like the picture above ) or are these available already done from somewhere?

2.) Many of the engine pictures I see have a nice metal oil filler cap with the Lotus logo - mine just has a nasty black plastic cap - where do people get the cooler caps from?

I feel like no one goes outside the box with all the CF engine covers and such I have seen. It would be nice for someone to design something different.

davesa said:

I have two questions -

1.) do people take their plastic Lotus cover off and paint it ( like the picture above ) or are these available already done from somewhere?

2.) Many of the engine pictures I see have a nice metal oil filler cap with the Lotus logo - mine just has a nasty black plastic cap - where do people get the cooler caps from?

Click to expand...

Answer # 1. Yes, it takes a modicum of talent and a steady hand.

Answer # 2. Lotus Elise Exige Billet CNC Gunmetal Engine Motor Oil Filler Cap New | eBay

Radium have some nice kit

Coolant Expansion Tank Kit for Elise/Exige

Hey! It says Cosworth on there!

Check out their fuel rail, catch cans.

holmz said:

Well decorating the engine only serves an emotional purpose.
For the $ buying some artwork, instruction, or about anything else makes more financial sense. However it it makes you happy then do it.

Click to expand...

No need to put anything nice looking on your car or even wash it for that reason. :shrug:

My engine is visible from the exterior. I do not have the cheap plastic slats covering it. I would like it to be something other than a cheap little toyota motor crammed in there.

Drop in a k24


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nuclearmuscle523 said:

No need to put anything nice looking on your car or even wash it for that reason. :shrug:

My engine is visible from the exterior. I do not have the cheap plastic slats covering it. I would like it to be something other than a cheap little toyota motor crammed in there.

Click to expand...

BINGO ^Exactly my point.^
It is a sports car with a cheap Toyota engine in it.
It is designed to offer affordable motorsports, and it is not a supercar.

Dressing it up does not change its nature, however it does make the car centered around the engine. If that were the case, then all cars would evolve towards the same engine. But the cars are more than the engine, as they are a system of the parts and the design.

It could be worse... You could have a Rover engine in it. :facepalm

GR82DRV said:

Hmmm... You seem emotionally invested in this topic. I don't know why this bothers you so much.... I suspect some latent engine bay inadequacy issues that you have failed to consciously address... Maybe you should consult an automotive psychologist.

Click to expand...

my laugh of the day!