Anyone see any problems with my custom engine lid?

[911 in SC]

If you can't find it on E-Bay, you can purchase it from McMaster-Carr. I purchased a 'sheet' of it to replace the grilles on my previous car (Audi) to match the 'RS4' mesh. I used plasti-cote (I think that's the name) as the finish. The rubberized paint used to coat tool handles. It was very durable.

Mike

[rnln]

very nice, similar to this is on my to do list but never have time to get to it.
The only thing I can think of is that it is a little weaker since you already cut of the verticle beam.

[fireant911]

juicersr,
I was toying with a design that was rather close to what you have already done - my plan was to do it with two cutouts on either side of the middle rather than the single in order to maintain more of the structural rigidity of the engine lid (similar to the pic that gastalt1 posted). My sole intent was for better engine cooling. Your design certainly reduces the 'labyrinth-type' passageway that the cooling air has to follow in stock lid - your approach allows a direct approach of the capture of cooling air.

Although it is probably too late in the season to determine any cooling benefits from this design I would certainly be interested in hearing of any results in the coming spring and summer (as you have saved me from having to procure another engine lid to sacrifice for my test). Your project appears to be done very professional and, in my opinion, is aesthetically pleasing. Thanks for posting and I am looking forward to updates.

[Nostril Cheese]

Pics of it on the car, please. Cool idea

[azasadny]

Beautiful work!!!

[juicersr]

Thanks for the complements guys. I haven't had time to do the swap with the existing lid, which involves a lot of transfer of AC condenser stuff, etc, but do have a pix of the test fitting on my SC prior to painting it and the car.


Obviously looking rough at this stage, but you get the idea. Will allow a more visceral appeal to the backside.

As for structural integrity, the lid is still plenty strong without the vertical beam, and have no qualms about attaching the latch.

Weight savings? Hey, every little bit counts, right?

[MotoSook]

Here's something to think about: paint the decklid portion that is under the grill with a matte black paint.

[TD in DC]

Well, to each their own, but I personally do not understand this mod.

Is this supposed to assist with cooling? Will it actually do that or will it have some sort of unintended effect of changing the stock airflow through the engine compartment. Specifically, could it change the airflow so that it goes in the first intake and out the second, or down the back of the engine compartment, without having any beneficial impact at all? I have no idea.

Could it have some unintended impact on high speed stability? Specifically, could it result in lift at higher speeds? I have no idea. Hard to tell without wind tunnel testing.

Is it for aesthetics only? If so, I personally am not too fond of it. Were you going for a Ferrari type look? If so, then why not Lexan? I can't really see through it as is. Imagine a Lexan ducktail . . . or a fishtank made from Lexan and if the little fishies die it means that safe engine compartment temps have been exceeded . . .

In any event, diversity is what makes the world a great place so have fun modding away.

[Winterfarm]

Definitely visceral. Even splanchnic. You can really see the workings going on in there.

[juicersr]

"I was thinking that the second grille was a sort of decklid hibachi, where you could grill up some dogs and burgers after a long drive? Is that what it's for?"http://forums.pelicanparts.com/ultimate/icons/icon12.gif

[Elombard]

I was thinking abot something like this too, Inly I was going to get rid of the deck lid and just use a screen over the whole thing. Ugly but Ok for track days if it helped on the cooling.

[masraum]

Looks cool. I second the suggestion to use the same mesh/grill material for both holes.

I doubt there will be any problem with cooling or air flow since the fan sucks a lot of air in. The only thing that I can see is that it might not work as well for the AC since the air that normally would have to go through the condensor can now go through the second grill.

[rouxroux]

I don't think I'd want to give water that much of an opportunity to visit my engine compartment....But it does look sort of neat.

[BlackTalon]

Dang -- that is Hot! The only thing that could make it even better is fabbing a 'wing' out of the mesh and mounting in on top!

[Pingo]

Why not replace the whole lid with mesh/gill!!

Not my taste...

[rnln]

I think if water can go in and damage something in the engine compartment, then it can go in without the new whole anyway. If air flow is concerned, then 930/965 guys should concern about it too.

[Emission]

Originally posted by Pingo
Why not replace the whole lid with mesh/gill!!

One step further... All body panels!

No need for A/C anymore

[skinnerd]

The only problem I see is it's not on my car!
Looks great, and it should work great in your application.

[jester911]

I think it is a neat idea and you did a nice job on it. Really I look at these cars as sort of blank slates that can be finished off in as many different ways as there are people.

Do what you like and that pleases you. It is funny how some mods are totally accepted as a positive thing i.e. 964 decklid on a earlier car or backdating a later to earlier car, but then other things are looked at by some as some kind of taboo.

I quit worrying about what is "acceptable" . The parts on these cars are pretty much interchangeable so why not have some fun doing it.

Heck if you end up not liking it you can always get another decklid.

[masraum]

If you like that then you'll love this.