Intercooler pipes are through the hood...literally.
#1
Intercooler pipes are through the hood...literally.
As the title suggests, the circumstances of my MP62 intercooler setup I've had to put holes in my hood. I'm doing my build on the cheap and I used the pipes I had. So my question is this....how to cover the holes....I've been racking my brain to think of something I could rivet or bolt on that would match the shape of the pipes through the hood. I'd like to maintain a semi clean look. The holes are approximately 4-5 inches by 3 inches and I need about 2 inches of vertical clearance. Any suggestions? I have a second hood I'll modify carefully to suit whatever solution I/we come up with. Who has ideas? lol Thanks in advance
#5
1. Sand area down to bare metal.
2. Close hood - seal hole by taping wax paper to hood, running it over pipes to create a "hill" of sorts. Hood should be able to open and close without significantly distracting this hill.
3. Secure a piece of flannel fabric over top of the wax paper hill. It does not need to be tight to the wax paper all around, however, it will lay directly on top of the wax paper at the peak of the hill. Pull flannel fabric taught and secure it to the hood. Not entirely sure how you will do this, but rivets might be an option.
4. Coat the flannel "hill" in fiberglass resin. Lay it on thick to coat the full outer layer of flannel. It's hard to get full penetration into the flannel with anything but professional resin - but don't worry about it. Just get a thick layer into the flannel. Make sure you get resin between the flannel and the aluminum hood. The resin will bond to the hood.
5. Lay two to three coats of fiberglass mat on top of the flannel. Work resin into each layer. Make sure each layer is slightly larger than the last for a smooth transition back to the aluminum.
6. Wait to dry
7. sand any obvious high points to knock them down, then body filler the **** out of it. Work with body filler and sander until you get a nice smooth shape.
7a. Optional: cut a hole in the area directly behind the pipe. This will be a low pressure area, your hood can now be an "extractor" hood!
8. Primer and paint.
2. Close hood - seal hole by taping wax paper to hood, running it over pipes to create a "hill" of sorts. Hood should be able to open and close without significantly distracting this hill.
3. Secure a piece of flannel fabric over top of the wax paper hill. It does not need to be tight to the wax paper all around, however, it will lay directly on top of the wax paper at the peak of the hill. Pull flannel fabric taught and secure it to the hood. Not entirely sure how you will do this, but rivets might be an option.
4. Coat the flannel "hill" in fiberglass resin. Lay it on thick to coat the full outer layer of flannel. It's hard to get full penetration into the flannel with anything but professional resin - but don't worry about it. Just get a thick layer into the flannel. Make sure you get resin between the flannel and the aluminum hood. The resin will bond to the hood.
5. Lay two to three coats of fiberglass mat on top of the flannel. Work resin into each layer. Make sure each layer is slightly larger than the last for a smooth transition back to the aluminum.
6. Wait to dry
7. sand any obvious high points to knock them down, then body filler the **** out of it. Work with body filler and sander until you get a nice smooth shape.
7a. Optional: cut a hole in the area directly behind the pipe. This will be a low pressure area, your hood can now be an "extractor" hood!
8. Primer and paint.
#10
Yes indeedy, however, I don't believe anyone ever made intercooler pipes that would fit, So I'd have to piece it together. I'd honestly prefer the holes in the hood. The only thing that *might* work are the pipes from the TDR kit, but there is no guarantee as the intercooler was not mounted in the same way that the TDR one is. Intercooler dimensions are different and the intercooler sits at a different height. So, just buying intercooler pipes that would fit is not really an option. A secondary reason for keeping the pipes where they are is radiator choice. With the TDR stuff, or I imagine anything that would actually fit, would limit my choice of aftermarket radiator. The only one that fits with TDR is the 525 dollar TDR radiator. Also not very cost effective.
#14
Cpt. Slow
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oregon City, OR
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TDR kit lowers the radiator, drrrr.
Pretty easy to fit pipes over the radiator without cutting the hood. Also pretty easy to convert an over the radiator setup to an around the radiator setup with similar piping and couplers. I know, I've done it.
An extractor vent would cost money, and wouldn't be in the right place if you covered your pipes.
If you must keep the holes, I'd find some sheet aluminum, round them a bit with a sand bag and a hammer, and rivet them on for a slightly industrial look.
I did something similar to cover my hood latch hole in my radiator panel, but that's because I was bored and it easily replaceable for $50 at garage star. And it's normally hidden.
Pretty easy to fit pipes over the radiator without cutting the hood. Also pretty easy to convert an over the radiator setup to an around the radiator setup with similar piping and couplers. I know, I've done it.
An extractor vent would cost money, and wouldn't be in the right place if you covered your pipes.
If you must keep the holes, I'd find some sheet aluminum, round them a bit with a sand bag and a hammer, and rivet them on for a slightly industrial look.
I did something similar to cover my hood latch hole in my radiator panel, but that's because I was bored and it easily replaceable for $50 at garage star. And it's normally hidden.
#15
Boost Czar
iTrader: (62)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Chantilly, VA
Posts: 79,494
Total Cats: 4,080
duct tape this over your cuts:
Summit Racing Hood Scoop WRX 10" Long 25" Wide 2" Tall ABS Plastic Black Each | eBay
it will look better.
Summit Racing Hood Scoop WRX 10" Long 25" Wide 2" Tall ABS Plastic Black Each | eBay
it will look better.
#17
TDR kit lowers the radiator, drrrr.
Pretty easy to fit pipes over the radiator without cutting the hood. Also pretty easy to convert an over the radiator setup to an around the radiator setup with similar piping and couplers. I know, I've done it.
An extractor vent would cost money, and wouldn't be in the right place if you covered your pipes.
If you must keep the holes, I'd find some sheet aluminum, round them a bit with a sand bag and a hammer, and rivet them on for a slightly industrial look.
I did something similar to cover my hood latch hole in my radiator panel, but that's because I was bored and it easily replaceable for $50 at garage star. And it's normally hidden.
Pretty easy to fit pipes over the radiator without cutting the hood. Also pretty easy to convert an over the radiator setup to an around the radiator setup with similar piping and couplers. I know, I've done it.
An extractor vent would cost money, and wouldn't be in the right place if you covered your pipes.
If you must keep the holes, I'd find some sheet aluminum, round them a bit with a sand bag and a hammer, and rivet them on for a slightly industrial look.
I did something similar to cover my hood latch hole in my radiator panel, but that's because I was bored and it easily replaceable for $50 at garage star. And it's normally hidden.
I may try your idea with the sheet aluminum. I actually need to do the same thing you did. I have a cut out in my radiator panel for a latch which is no longer there. Aerocatches FTW