DIY Radiator Panel / Cowl Cover
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Omaha,NE
Posts: 46
Total Cats: 0
DIY Radiator Panel / Cowl Cover
Well it's the weekend, so naturally it's shitty out.
Not in the mood to drive around in the snow and mess with the MS, I decided to design my own cowl cover / radiator panel / whatever it's called...
All I can say is there's a reason why I'm not an engineer, but I don't think I did horrible for not knowing what I'm doing.
This is just a cardboard 'rough draft' so far. Before i actually cut some metal to make the final product, I wanted to hear from you guys and get some thoughts / suggestions....
Not in the mood to drive around in the snow and mess with the MS, I decided to design my own cowl cover / radiator panel / whatever it's called...
All I can say is there's a reason why I'm not an engineer, but I don't think I did horrible for not knowing what I'm doing.
This is just a cardboard 'rough draft' so far. Before i actually cut some metal to make the final product, I wanted to hear from you guys and get some thoughts / suggestions....
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Omaha,NE
Posts: 46
Total Cats: 0
I got a sheet of stainless steel from a friend that I plan on using. I'm not sure of the width, it's really thin though.
That was actually going to be my next question.. What should In use to cut the center parts of the metal? I figure tin snips will suffice for cutting the outer lines, but not sure what to use for the holes. Whaddya think?
That was actually going to be my next question.. What should In use to cut the center parts of the metal? I figure tin snips will suffice for cutting the outer lines, but not sure what to use for the holes. Whaddya think?
#6
Elite Member
iTrader: (21)
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Point Pleasant, NJ
Posts: 2,957
Total Cats: 2
Also, make the holes slightly bigger than you show here for the piping because the piping will vibrate and eventually the SS sheet will cut into it. Maybe put a coupler on the pipe there for cushion too.
#7
Looks familiar, lmao, I used .o40" CRS for mine...sheet metal is tough to work with by hand (I used a turret press and a press brake at work to make mine) take your time and I'm sure it'll come out good....post some pics when its all done
PS- I've used a jig saw with a smooth cut blade before with good luck....
PS- I've used a jig saw with a smooth cut blade before with good luck....
#13
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Omaha,NE
Posts: 46
Total Cats: 0
3 weeks later....
I've got something close to a finished product.
This sucked alot more that I thought it would!
Ended up buying tin snips, a rotary tool, attachment set and extra diamond bits from harbor freight. I could have bought one of these covers for close to the amount spent in materials, but it was an experience.
The material isn't actually stainless steel, but it was still free
Used vacuum hose for cushioning and noise reduction.
Haven't ran the car with it in, but seems stable.
I'll probably end up painting it flat black to hide the imperfections a bit better.
It's nowhere close to Cspence's or any vendors' but It'll do...
I've got something close to a finished product.
This sucked alot more that I thought it would!
Ended up buying tin snips, a rotary tool, attachment set and extra diamond bits from harbor freight. I could have bought one of these covers for close to the amount spent in materials, but it was an experience.
The material isn't actually stainless steel, but it was still free
Used vacuum hose for cushioning and noise reduction.
Haven't ran the car with it in, but seems stable.
I'll probably end up painting it flat black to hide the imperfections a bit better.
It's nowhere close to Cspence's or any vendors' but It'll do...
#16
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Omaha,NE
Posts: 46
Total Cats: 0
Thanks guys.
As far as IC pipes. Those were a bitch too.
Had to cut the rad support & hood to make them fit.
Got the pipes off ebay and cut them to the sizes I needed (using a hacksaw hehe)
My intro thread has the basic gist of what I did if you want some more pics...
https://www.miataturbo.net/forum/t27110/
As far as IC pipes. Those were a bitch too.
Had to cut the rad support & hood to make them fit.
Got the pipes off ebay and cut them to the sizes I needed (using a hacksaw hehe)
My intro thread has the basic gist of what I did if you want some more pics...
https://www.miataturbo.net/forum/t27110/
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bigmackloud
Miata parts for sale/trade
19
01-08-2021 11:24 AM
Zaphod
MEGAsquirt
47
10-26-2018 11:00 PM