Fun with valve covers + OBX Header impressions

[mike13]

wow, this was a productive weekend.
check my thread at http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=54083 for pictures of my exhaust/ cat/ header install. Also pics of my wheels Nismo LM GT4's.

Anyways, today i decided to paint my valve cover black. Ive always wanted to do it and working on my car on friday gave me the itch to spruce up the engine bay a little bit. So i stopped at Advanced and picked up a bottle of brake cleaner and a bottle of High Temp engine enamel. Application was easy, i masked off a bunch of things like the oil filler cap recess and the spark plug holes. None of this is evident when those pieces are in place. I plan to have the letters grinded off when the paint cures.

on to the pics:
http://users.adelphia.net/~mrosswog/images/240sx/engineBay2.jpg

http://users.adelphia.net/~mrosswog/images/240sx/engineBay3.jpg

I think it turned out pretty good. Im going to hit it with some #0000 steel wool to clean it up a bit.

OBX HEADER IMPRESSIONS
before:
http://users.adelphia.net/~mrosswog/images/240sx/header2.jpg

after 48 hours:
http://users.adelphia.net/~mrosswog/images/240sx/header3.jpg

http://users.adelphia.net/~mrosswog/images/240sx/header4.jpg

I think it looks pretty bad ass, but i have worries about the quality of it and whether it will crack or not. Overall for S14 i reccommend this header if you have a tight budget. Otherwise look into something made of higher quality steel and better fitment.

[zero.counter]

I really am digging that black valve cover. Nice work on the header as well. :)

[BadMoJo]

Lookin good!

[SilviaSR20DET]

Nice job with the painted valve cover it looks really clean. I also want to paint my valve cover. What are your steps in painting the valve cover? Also what kind of stuff you use such as paint?

[SimpleS14]

nice...I have the same headers....how did you install the EGR tube?

[Bbandit]

wow that looks great man!
i've been meaning to do that to to my valve cover...
hmm prolly i'll do it in a couple of days..
I always liked flat black

[-E-]

wow looks good

[kandyflip445]

NOOOOOOO! You stole my idea for the valve cover! Cept' my idea included tellin ppl that i had a blacktop in my car. :rofl:

[mike13]

Nice job with the painted valve cover it looks really clean. I also want to paint my valve cover. What are your steps in painting the valve cover? Also what kind of stuff you use such as paint?
Basically i sprayed half a bottle of brake cleaner on it to clean all the grease and grime off, then masked off a few areas with tape, hit it with heavy grit sand paper to score the factory "finish", then sprayed 4-5 coats with low gloss black engine enamel. no sanding or anything. I was really easy, just required patience.

[mike13]

nice...I have the same headers....how did you install the EGR tube?
First when we noticed it was in the wrong position, we were going to heat up the EGR extension on the header and bend it into place. When my brother hit it with the torch, he burned a hole straight through one side of the tubing. What we then did was patch it with a piece of stainless. We put the header into the engine bay, threaded the EGR tube in (it was a bitch even with the entire header free to move around). When the EGR tube was in place, we man handled the header onto the studs and tightened it down in place. Im sure this is putting stress on the tubing somewhere, but after a few days, i'm not too concerned about it cracking.

[mixxamike]

Did you need to use a new valve cover gasket or did the old one work alright for you after you put the cover back on?

[mike13]

Did you need to use a new valve cover gasket or did the old one work alright for you after you put the cover back on?
they didnt have one at the parts store, so i just re used the old one. It was still very flexible and in good condition. This is the second time i've taken off the valve cover also.

[SilviaSR20DET]

Hey when you put back in the valver cover did you know what torque spec it was? Also what torque spec are for the spark plugs anyone know?

[mike13]

Hey when you put back in the valver cover did you know what torque spec it was? Also what torque spec are for the spark plugs anyone know?
Its in my FSM but i didnt check. I went by the tighten, then tighten some more method.

[Nismo240SX]

i like the valve color... is it powdercoated, or spray can? looks good either way. the header is quite hillarious... my hotshot went dull after about 2 weeks.

[mike13]

It was a rattle can job but turned out better than expected (well i expected it to be good because I painted it)

Did your hotshot turn gold or just not shiny anymore? because you can polish yours and im not sure there is a way to make mine silver again.