Why did I clean my engine?

[Shehadehd]

I'm going to start a new thread to track the ordering process for the covers.

Hardware: I've been able to find a source for all the hardware and I have a couple installation procedures that I think are simple, straightforward, and allow you to switch between the regular or clear engine cover without much work. I'll have a couple people test them to find the best one. I'm also working on find a way to offer the bolts and caps in chrome or any specific color that can match your car exterior, no guarantees though .

Seals: I just ordered a bunch of different type of rubber seals intended for high-heat use and I'll be testing which one gives the tightest seal and best noise reduction.

Cover: As mentioned earlier, I'm still working on finding the best material to use and still keep costs down. I don't think I'll be going any thicker than quarter inch plastic because forming becomes increasingly difficult. I'm most likely going to offer both lexan and plexiglass covers; lexan will have to be a bit more because it needs to be cut and formed differently. Depending on how much demand there is I may be able to offer cover that are tinted in a particular color. This is only a plexiglass option. The tinting will be built into the plexiglass because I think any film applied might peel off under high temperature conditions. Examples




Shipping: I haven't worked out anything with shipping yet.

[Porsche9]

If you want to do some real high temp testing Phoenix is the place. In summer I regularly see temps on the I10 of 135 (ambient in the mid teens plus heat reflecting from the asphalt and all the cars immiting heat). I am sure the engine bay temps exceed anything you will see in the Bay Area. There a reason a number of manufacturers test here. Let me know if you want me to test.

[particlewave]

I'll beta test one for you...and I won't even charge you for it!

Seriously, I must have one in clear with multi-color lights (I like to change things up a lot) so hurry it up already!
It's been a day or two and I'm sick of waiting
What's the darn holdup?

[Touch The Icon]

So sick!!!!! I want one

[particlewave]

[Shehadehd]

Haha, I watched the gif before looking at who it was from... Now it makes sense lol. I've pinpointed a good source for plexiglass and even lexan so tonight I'm going to try and get things together to make a small batch order for the first set of prototypes. Also, I have to do some testing with the LEDs to make sure they work reliably with the engine temps they're subjected to. I'm sure I'm being overly cautious but the last thing I want is for someone to message me saying something failed.

Also, the LEDs are going to be socketed into the rear defroster switch to reduce the amount of wiring needed for the installation. Whoever orders leds can manually wire them to a separate switch if they wanted. I'm also in the process of adding a switcher at the junction where the rear defroster connector is. The goal would be to allow you to plug in both the rear defroster and LEDs into the plug and switch off the defroster or LEDs so that the dash switch will activate one of them or both depending in how you set it up.

The motivation for this was to keep power draw to a minimum but still allow you guys to retain defroster capability if needed.
This will probably be an optional add on since I don't want to wire the setup if I don't need to, e.g. You have a plastic soft top and no use for the defroster.

[thstone]

Just a suggestion - double check the grade of material that you plan to use; there are several grades and the forming temperature (when they start to become pliable) ranges from 185°F to 329°F.

[epapp]

Uh huh! Look who decided to use the rear defrost plug for power.

I seem to remember a certain someone naysaying the idea all the way home.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Taipanic]

Definitely interested in getting one of these when you have the details worked out.

[newob]

Ok now that looks spectacular. Love the lights!:dance:

[jmccjr]

Great looking addition. A very cool concept indeed.

[Shehadehd]

So I've made my choice on two distributors for plexiglass and lexan and I'm getting some samples sent for cutting.

I've also located three sources for rubber sealing and I'll be testing each for heat resistance, sound deadening, aesthetics, and to make sure no fumes leak through.

The mounting method I'm using now requires you to swap out the OEM clip nuts for a different set that the bolts lock into better. I'm currently looking for a set of bolts that let me keep the original clip nuts without loosening on bumpy roads.

It will be at least a week until I get the samples I ordered and possibly a week more before I'm satisfied with the dimensions, seals, and hardware. I'll keep you all updated and probably get a formal count on who is interested so I can send out a batch order of plexiglass or lexan.

[Porsche9]

Thanks for the update.

[Yellow986S]

Originally Posted by Shehadehd

So I've made my choice on two distributors for plexiglass and lexan and I'm getting some samples sent for cutting.

I've also located three sources for rubber sealing and I'll be testing each for heat resistance, sound deadening, aesthetics, and to make sure no fumes leak through.

The mounting method I'm using now requires you to swap out the OEM clip nuts for a different set that the bolts lock into better. I'm currently looking for a set of bolts that let me keep the original clip nuts without loosening on bumpy roads.

It will be at least a week until I get the samples I ordered and possibly a week more before I'm satisfied with the dimensions, seals, and hardware. I'll keep you all updated and probably get a formal count on who is interested so I can send out a batch order of plexiglass or lexan.

Thanks for update as well. No need to rush!

[AP328]

I have only been a member of this site for a few days and I must say the innovation and expertise are just amazing. I don't know how I wasn't aware of this site previously. I have seen the mod on a Cayman and it looked fantastic.

Great work!!

I have done no modifications to my car since buying it new, but I would consider this. Do you know if the storage unit is difficult to remove? I assume this would all be reversible to stock if one decided to go that route for a concours event, correct?

[Porsche9]

AP328,

Removing the existing cover is easy. Once you done it once you can do it in about 2 minutes (do a search on this forum or Youtube). Having said that this mod is super easy to reverse when it is time to sell the car. Assuming the clear cover is in good shape I sure you could resell it to recoup some of your money.

[AP328]

Originally Posted by Porsche9

AP328,

Removing the existing cover is easy. Once you done it once you can do it in about 2 minutes (do a search on this forum or Youtube). Having said that this mod is super easy to reverse when it is time to sell the car. Assuming the clear cover is in good shape I sure you could resell it to recoup some of your money.

I am usually very good about doing searches, but didn't in this case. I did a search and found several Youtube videos that showed the process, including the storage box removal. Thanks for the help. The whole process certainly appears reversible.

I was also looking at a Cayman site (HIP Design) that offers the clear engine covers for the Cayman and the painting of the intake manifolds (silver for the runners, read with white Porsche lettering at the top) looked great. HIP also offers a cover for their clear engine cover so that items can still be stored on top of the clear cover or one can simply protect that clear cover when there isn't a desire to show off the engine. Interesting.

[Shehadehd]

Originally Posted by AP328

I am usually very good about doing searches, but didn't in this case. I did a search and found several Youtube videos that showed the process, including the storage box removal. Thanks for the help. The whole process certainly appears reversible.



I was also looking at a Cayman site (HIP Design) that offers the clear engine covers for the Cayman and the painting of the intake manifolds (silver for the runners, read with white Porsche lettering at the top) looked great. HIP also offers a cover for their clear engine cover so that items can still be stored on top of the clear cover or one can simply protect that clear cover when there isn't a desire to show off the engine. Interesting.

Getting your intake manifold painted is almost a must to take full advantage of the clear engine cover. HIP's storage bin is pretty cool. I don't know if it's $300 cool though.

Since some have the Bose system and would rather keep it in, I'm looking at a way to let you guys put the rear self on the cover if needed. It would get rid of the engine view from the cabin. You should still be able to see the engine through the rear window with the top up.

[jaykay]

Originally Posted by Shehadehd

Getting your intake manifold painted is almost a must to take full advantage of the clear engine cover. HIP's storage bin is pretty cool. I don't know if it's $300 cool though.

Since some have the Bose system and would rather keep it in, I'm looking at a way to let you guys put the rear self on the cover if needed. It would get rid of the engine view from the cabin. You should still be able to see the engine through the rear window with the top up.

Groovy man......an option to have the rear speaker and storage deck on or off would be great....I think it would look pretty good but it's hard to know until you try it. I imagine you would have to source the same style locking pins as stock and fasten them through/on the cover. They are like studs with tangs on them as I recall. They should also look good with the storage box off.

Sorry to disrupt your fastener plans but quick removal of the engine cover is probably a good feature. Dzus fasteners have a very coarse spiral such that they come off in a turn. Perhaps they won't look as good as what you had planned. I have run with a bare stock engine cover and it's thin and buzzy....the heat shield underneath perhaps. If the fasteners have some sort of fold down D-ring on the head it might be prudent to ensure that they have a tight friction fit ....are hard to move so that they don't buzz around loosely

Keep up the great work!

[Nine8Six]

Nice Nice Nice!!! I like

Shehadehd I've always said you had more than a trick. You got skillz mate