Engine Dress-up [Archive]

tolagarFriS

03-19-2006, 01:28 PM

I've searched around on the forums and couldn't find anything newer than 2 years old. Basically, I've seen those 'Hose Techniques' kits or whatever for the P5, but I haven't seen any MSP-specific kits.

Aside from adding ACTUAL mods (BOV, oil-catch, etc.), what else could I do to dress-up the engine bay? I'm looking for little things that are relatively cheap, but that would enhance the look quite a bit. To me, the idea of replacing the stock hoses with high-quality colored ones sounds great. But I just can't find any good kits. Or is that the problem? Do I even need a kit, or could I just go out and find some universal tubing?

Any help, suggestions, or links to threads I've missed would be greatly appreciated.

(I'm very interested in red and chrome colors under the hood)

MSP#735

03-19-2006, 01:37 PM

here is my engine bay, im still thinking of more things to do but, shes gettin there.

MSPRedDragon

03-19-2006, 01:48 PM

Buy a couple packs of Samco silicone vacuum lines. Just about finished up all mine. I bought two of the smaller packs, and one of the next size what ever that is. They look great and actually help with vac. leaks and what not. My car runs smoother since I got them. I bought mine from Crossover Auto for $20 each for the small and $28 for the larger one I believe.

Other things you could do. You could polish up the manifold heatshield, paint the valve cover, paint the strut bar, stuff like that. Hope that helps some.

JT

tolagarFriS

03-19-2006, 02:01 PM

Looks very nice, 735.
I'd like to paint/color the letters on the engine cover (where it says DOHC 16-VALVE)...what do you use for that?

And the strut bar...how did you get the racing beat letters on there? A sticker?...or...because, like I said, I like the red/chrome look, so if I could get some red letters on there, that would look nice I think.

Thanks for the hose info RedDragon...I'll pick some up soon!

MSP#735

03-19-2006, 02:03 PM

i used 900 degree paint for the valve cover lettering...i just masked off the letters and carefully spray painted them, kinda tedious but i like it! As for the RacingBeat decal, i had it made from Rickman (PM him he will help you out)

Looks very nice, 735.
I'd like to paint/color the letters on the engine cover (where it says DOHC 16-VALVE)...what do you use for that?

And the strut bar...how did you get the racing beat letters on there? A sticker?...or...because, like I said, I like the red/chrome look, so if I could get some red letters on there, that would look nice I think.

Thanks for the hose info RedDragon...I'll pick some up soon!

tolagarFriS

03-19-2006, 02:22 PM

Ok, I checked out Crossover Autos and found two things.

There are individual packs of Samco Silicone Vacuum Lines that you can get.
Has 4 different sizes and lots of colors. But it also says:

MSP requires the following to replace the factory vacuum lines
2 packs 3.5mm (5/32")
1 pack 4mm (3/16")
1 pack 6.35(1/4")

Each pack ranges from $16.00 - $32.00

Then there's a Vibrant Performance Silicone Vacuum Hose Pit Pack...that has less amounts of each tubing amount, but it's only $40 and has lots of sizes included. So my question is, could I just buy two of the Vibrant packs and have enough, or should I just get the others separately from Samco. It says I only need those 3 sizes to replace the factory hoses, but the Vibrant pack comes with other sizes too.

Sorta confused, but here's the link:
http://*************.com/mazdaspeed3.htm

L8R

03-19-2006, 02:42 PM

www.optauto.com sells RS akimoto hose lines. Cheap and looks great also.

http://www.msprotege.com/members/L8R/HIN-04.JPG

Good luck.

Do a search for 'pirana' 'bigwoofer' 'daedalus' and you'll find some nice motors.

tolagarFriS

03-19-2006, 02:47 PM

Hm, so do you think ONE of those RS kits would do an entire MSP engine bay?

L8R

03-19-2006, 02:59 PM

Yah, I think one kit would be good enough. I did my motor and had a little extra to spare. Just be careful when replacing some of the vaccum lines. You might pull too hard and break something.

tolagarFriS

03-19-2006, 03:09 PM

Awesome, well I just ordered a kit from Summit Racing for $14.50 (plus S&H) :)
And I'm planning on picking up some high-temp paint to do my valve cover...and I sent a message to Rickman about the decal.

Things are looking up! Now I just need a good oil cap :p
Oh, and how should I "polish" the manifold heatshield?
Would it work to just paint that with high-temp paint?

Thanks to everyone for their responses.

03MSP

03-19-2006, 03:48 PM

Get some Mother's Mag Polish for the heat shield.

Chilledboost

03-19-2006, 04:17 PM

Get some Mother's Mag Polish for the heat shield.
i also used the mag polish on the metal tube parts of the a/c lines. and various other parts under the hood

jmv

03-19-2006, 04:29 PM

here is my engine bay, im still thinking of more things to do but, shes gettin there.

maybe i'm a tard... but how in the world do you mask off all those little tiny spots for the 'DOHC 16-VALVE' part?? especially the 'inner' sections, like the inside of the D or the O??

It looks really awesome and i'd kinda like to try it, but i don't know if i could do a good job with it.

bazooka joe

03-19-2006, 07:45 PM

maybe this will give you some ideas....

MSP#735

03-19-2006, 07:54 PM

i used masking tape, a box cutter and a sharp knife...cut out the lettering (which took foooorrreeevvvvaaarrrr) very tedious and time consuming, definately takes a little patience but, the results paid off, IMO that is

maybe i'm a tard... but how in the world do you mask off all those little tiny spots for the 'DOHC 16-VALVE' part?? especially the 'inner' sections, like the inside of the D or the O??

It looks really awesome and i'd kinda like to try it, but i don't know if i could do a good job with it.

MSP#735

03-19-2006, 07:56 PM

MSP#735 isnt good enough to search? (poke)

Do a search for 'pirana' 'bigwoofer' 'daedalus' and you'll find some nice motors.

ChopstickHero

03-19-2006, 07:56 PM

plain!

http://images14.fotki.com/v221/photos/7/73230/2631643/IMG_8382-vi.jpg

jmv

03-19-2006, 08:09 PM

i used masking tape, a box cutter and a sharp knife...cut out the lettering (which took foooorrreeevvvvaaarrrr) very tedious and time consuming, definately takes a little patience but, the results paid off, IMO that is

hmmm. Okay. I guess i'm just a tard. I could see how this would work fine if you were painting the REST of the cover and leaving the letters. But whatever. I guess thats just one more thing i won't do, lol.

tolagarFriS

03-20-2006, 01:00 AM

Nice one bazooka...gives me some ideas... :)

Mutmatt

03-20-2006, 01:11 AM

that heat shield is like yellow...

low_psi

03-20-2006, 01:14 AM

wire tuck!!1

L8R

03-20-2006, 03:00 AM

MSP#735 isnt good enough to search? (poke)

Sorry, you already posted pics :D

Metal MP5

06-08-2006, 09:59 AM

Did you install the hoses?

I bought a kit from Canadian Tire last year, i think it was made by Ractive ? i'm not sure anymore ... but the vacuum lines collapsed after driving for a few seconds (cut vacuum to every part of the car, idled like shit + it fucked with the brake booster = no brakes lol). i think the walls werent thick enough

anyway, i should've known because Canadian Tire mostly sells crap so. i'm just wondering if that 15$ kit is worth it? I think spending 80$ on hoses (hose techniques) is ridiculous

Awesome, well I just ordered a kit from Summit Racing for $14.50 (plus S&H) :)
And I'm planning on picking up some high-temp paint to do my valve cover...and I sent a message to Rickman about the decal.

Things are looking up! Now I just need a good oil cap :p
Oh, and how should I "polish" the manifold heatshield?
Would it work to just paint that with high-temp paint?

Thanks to everyone for their responses.

bazooka joe

06-08-2006, 06:31 PM

PharmacyMSP

06-09-2006, 04:24 AM

ractive hoses suck.... very thin wall.

Akimoto is pretty high quality and reasonably priced. I may finish up my vac lines tomorrow...

Metal MP5

06-09-2006, 09:21 AM

yeah i know you get what you pay for. i didnt think there would be a big difference between brands but i had to pay to see it lol

yes the walls were very thinned. i passed by canadian tire last night for something else and looked for the hoses. they changed brand but they still look as shitty as before.

I ended up ordering a kit online from summit racing that was mentionned earlier in the thread. the walls look very thick from the picture they have on their website.

PharmacyMSP

06-09-2006, 09:22 PM

I got my akimoto kit from Summit as well. (thumb)

msprotege2nr

06-09-2006, 11:34 PM

for future reference to anyone, I have the hose techniques kit on mine and there was actually some left over. To answer the original question about dressing up the engine bay: powdercoat, and polish

msprotege2nr

06-09-2006, 11:34 PM

maybe this will give you some ideas....

I like what you did with the cover

tolagarFriS

06-12-2006, 08:03 PM

Yeh, I'll put up some pictures sometime soon.
But I did get the hoses and put them in...very thick and nice looking.
They've been in for awhile and seem to be working fine. Good quality and great price!

I also painted the letters and did some polishing for heat shield.
And I got a red Racing Beat decal for the strut bar :)

But yeh, they're awesome.

Asmoa

06-13-2006, 02:23 AM

which hose techniques kit did you get?

Asmoa

06-14-2006, 05:16 PM

This is the only kit i could find:Hose Techniques Kit for Mazda Protege LX 2.0 2001 and Mazda Protege5

Will this work for the MSP? I take it, its more then just vac hoses for the extra price?

tolagarFriS

06-14-2006, 10:43 PM

I ordered the RS Akimoto kit from Summit Racing...but they don't seem to have them anymore.

Here's information from RSA about them:
http://216.120.227.145/~racings//prod_vacuumhose.php?osCsid=7b7d49551836d01e1268367 7cbca1b1b

I searched around on Google and like I said, Summit doesn't carry them anymore...and every other site has them for like $30, rather than the $15 that I got them for, so I don't know what to tell you.

Metal MP5

06-14-2006, 11:34 PM

i bought a kit from summit racing (can't remember brand) and they look pretty damn good. very thick walls. NO CHANCE that they will collapse like the cheap set i bought last year.

car is at the dealer for blown lsd right now so i cant install the hoses but i'll post here as soon as i do