DIY Modified Engine covers for Maggie

[BlownSS]

This is an ongoing install so please be patient!

So...the Maggie is a couple weeks out still due to a delay in production on the polished models. I decided to start working on getting things started. It is a fairly straightforward process and doesnt require much skill but it does require some patience. The tools that you are going to need are pretty basic. Make sure before you start that you have:

Small air saw (and Blades)
Dremel tool with rotary sanding bits
Hand file with rounded and straight edges
Sanding block and some sandpaper
Power 1/4 sheet sander
Black sharpie
Masking tape
side-cutters

Now quit slacking and get to work.! Lift the hood and take a deep gasp at that monstrosity of a motor! Take off the Oil fill cap and grip the cover equally on both sides from the front and give it a healthy tug but be careful. Lifting upward, you should feel that is is hinged on the backside of the motor.



Take it over to a workbench and you will see that there is an insulated piece on the bottom of the cover. It is held on by some push clamps. Go ahead and just snap the pins off, they will break pretty easy. If you don't want to do this, you can cut the clips with some side cutters and then just remove the insulated piece. Set this aside for now. Im still not sure we are going to use it later or not. Now go ahead and remove those pins!



Now its time to get that center section out of there. It is best to make your cuts about 1/16 from the edge that you want. This will allow you to sand it down and make everything equal. I would cut it from the top side so you don't end up with a crazy angle and end up cutting more off than you wanted. You will be using the air saw with a fine tooth blade for this. I got mine at harbor freight and it was about 12 bucks on sale. Dont forget to get some blades as there are none in the box!


after you have the center section cut out, you can throw that center section in the trash. We are now going to work on the driver's side because that is the one that needs the most mods. I have decided to use the Hennessey Covers as a template.


Once the Maggie gets installed, I will make any other adjustments as needed. here are some pics of where i decide to cut. Once again, go ahead and leave yourself some room for filing and sanding to make it look nice.

Here are the lines that i marked off and taped before cutting.





After the cutting , sanding and using the file to make it look good. TAKE YOUR TIME!

















This is the sander that I have been using to even up the edges after cutting. I have been using rough down to a lower grade to make it nice n smooth!

[BlownSS]

this is where i am heading with the passenger side..






Here are some pics from todays work. they should be pretty self explanatory.....















Here they are ready to get some paint work done. I have used the sander to straighten all of the edges and actually used 3 different grades to get a smooth finish on the edges.....its helps to use the sander to round the edges too. I used the scratch pad to get the Black areas prepped.

I used some adhesion promoter because they are plastic but not sure its 100% necessary. I had some in the garage so I figured hey...why not!











I used an automobile grade silver paint from the auto parts store. The parts that are still in the factory paint will be a "hammered" golor grey....I still need to shag down to the Auto body supply store to get some IOM in a can and some clear coat. Will post more when I get more done.

[BlownSS]

This is the last section of the transformation. I Took the same red scotchbrite pad and gave the covers a good scouring to create a good bonding surface for the paint. I decided to change colors and went with a "hammered" grey color. I taped em off and cleaned em with some denatured alcohol and then a tack cloth to make sure they were ready to paint. I threw down 3 coats of paint about 20 minutes apart and let it dry for about 4 hours. I then hit it with 3 coats of clear. Here are the pics so far. You may notice that I drilled out all of the fake rivets and will be using stainless 1/4 inch button head hex bolts to match the hardware i will be using for the brackets. That way everything looks uniform. I will be sanding these down tomorrow with some 1200-1500 wet dry and then coating a couple more times to get a nice shine and good protection. Here are the recent pics

[sykb47l]

Looks real good so far.

[BlownSS]

I am ordering some brackets that are made commercially from a vendor.....When I get them, i will be doing a specialized write-up for them and incorporate them into this one. I hope all goes well!

[Eski7399]

Is there a DIY or somebody that sells them already modified to just expose the stock intake? Sorry for the hijack.

[Michael_Js]

Great job! Looks good!

[Sawyer]

Originally Posted by Michael_Js

Great job! Looks good!

[BlownSS]

I updated some more progress today!

[BlownSS]

Done! Those arent fisheyes....it is the texture of the "hammered" finish

[sav1]

great write up. When cutting the edges, did you find that you were chipping the remaining paint? Nice job too.

[ZZIXX]

Nice work, your posting with pics is much appreciated. Thanks.

[BlownSS]

Originally Posted by sav1

great write up. When cutting the edges, did you find that you were chipping the remaining paint? Nice job too.

I did notice some of the paint coming off but was easily blended with the scouring pad.....its very thin paint!

[sav1]

Originally Posted by BlownSS

I did notice some of the paint coming off but was easily blended with the scouring pad.....its very thin paint!

ok thanks, id rather do this then spend $495 for essentially "HALF" an engine cover from henn.