Progress pics of my new engine lid
Discussion
Hi all, finally some progress on my new engine cover. My original one had a few scuffs and generally looked a bit rough so I got some help from a friend and made a proper mould off it. Was going to have a crack at laying the mat in there myself, but I couldn't afford too many stuff ups due to the large amounts of material used, so I asked someone who uses this stuff everyday to do it for me 
I asked for two layers of twill to be laid down and plain carbon fibre weave for the back. Its finished with a coat of clear. It weighs in at 1.2kg. I am not doing it for the weight savings, its purely just a cosmetic thing. But for those who are interested I will weigh the old lid before I pull it apart and weigh the new one with all the fittings on it to compare.
IMO it looks great. I just have to source some new rubbers and heat shield for the back, fit the other pieces on it an its all go!!
I asked for two layers of twill to be laid down and plain carbon fibre weave for the back. Its finished with a coat of clear. It weighs in at 1.2kg. I am not doing it for the weight savings, its purely just a cosmetic thing. But for those who are interested I will weigh the old lid before I pull it apart and weigh the new one with all the fittings on it to compare. IMO it looks great. I just have to source some new rubbers and heat shield for the back, fit the other pieces on it an its all go!!
Looks awesome! BTW, When you come to replace the seals, check out your local Para Rubber store. They do a moulding that was an exact match for the one on my 89 MY engine cover. From memory about NZ$30 did the whole bottom seal.
...and when you decide you can't resist carbon fibre replacements for those heater and relay covers under the bonnet (and I know that won't be far off now yours don't match your flash new engine cover and window trims!) let me know and I'll put my order in! Mine are poked, and I'm not having too much luck finding replacements.
Si
...and when you decide you can't resist carbon fibre replacements for those heater and relay covers under the bonnet (and I know that won't be far off now yours don't match your flash new engine cover and window trims!) let me know and I'll put my order in! Mine are poked, and I'm not having too much luck finding replacements.
Si
lotuseffect said:
Looks awesome! BTW, When you come to replace the seals, check out your local Para Rubber store. They do a moulding that was an exact match for the one on my 89 MY engine cover. From memory about NZ$30 did the whole bottom seal.
...and when you decide you can't resist carbon fibre replacements for those heater and relay covers under the bonnet (and I know that won't be far off now yours don't match your flash new engine cover and window trims!) let me know and I'll put my order in! Mine are poked, and I'm not having too much luck finding replacements.
Si
Cool, will check out para rubber for sure. I know of another shop that does a similar seal, but the same would be better. Thanks!
teigan said:
it's definitely an improvement to the lotus part. i still don't like the uneven stretchy seams you get around corners. can't be avoided. paint over it.
Actually this one has hardly any spread weave considering the corners and all, but I know what you mean, it can look nasty if its really bad. I guess with soo much fake CF stick on stuff out there now, least you can see its the real deal..?
check the aviation kit catalogues for heat shield material. i prefer the nonreflective stuff. it'll last the life of the vehicle. there's really no need to use foil like lotus did. if you lay in a neat loose grid of wire underneath the padding, it'll do a better job of RF shielding than that silly sticky foil, which only peels off in a year or two.
ErnestM said:
Kylie...
Looks good. If you fancy a go on a V8 cover for profit, I'll send you a doner engine cover so that you can make the molds...
ErnestM
PS:...as long as I get the "special" price
Sadly I have opted not to make any more moulds, due to the time and effort just to make one lid. Um but if you are really keen I can put on to the guy who helped make mine and he may be persuaded have a crack. Hes also a previous V8 Esprit owner vertually same colour and model as yrs Ernest, but now into an Elise 111R, so the passion would still be there.
Anyway if you are keen I will give you his direct email address.
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