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Okay, really thinking I might need some. But can't tell if I just want some because someone posted it haha. Will something that small really keep any sound and heat away? Is there a real reason to put one on?


Coop

I installed it only in the trans tunnel of the Exocet because guys were complaining the exhaust would heat up the metal really badly and burn their legs.

I saw the Thermotec product - that's the thread I found when I went searching. I like the general look of the Thermaflect heat shield cloth... I might try that. I like that it looks flexible enough the I could sort of cut around some things so I don't have to remove all the piping and slide it around/under. Don't really want to disconnect the AC piping and have to recharge it, though I suppose a fresh charge wouldn't be all that bad of an idea.

http://www.heatshieldproducts.com/autom ... lect-cloth

Lava Shield looks interesting as well... That'd keep the original blacked-out look.

http://www.heatshieldproducts.com/autom ... ava-shield

Unpacked the new front bumper cover to check it out and take some photos for my paint shop. Mitsubishi did a pretty shitty job spraying the lower center section - there are some splatters in it. Paint guys quoted $475 to match it to my original bumper.

I'm going to keep the upper cross piece in the nose to cover the crash bar, and have them mask that off so it stays black, as well as the vertical pieces in the side holes. I have the cross-pieces that go in the sides as well.

I tossed my stainless steel bolt kit in the vibratory polisher for about 16 hours and they came out nice. Unpolished on the top, polished on the bottom of the photo. Corn cob media with Flitz LQ 04506 metal polish added.

Hoping to get a lot done on the engine this weekend. My wife and son might be going down to Iowa for Easter, so if that happens I should have a lot of uninterrupted garage time.

I'm surprised you found a new OEM 99 front. Figured they were long gone by now.

Given the market for shitty 99 wannabes, it probably wasn't hard to Mitsubishi to justify continued production of the part.

I'm sure Matt's will be nicer than all but a few of them. But there's still a lot of poorly "upgraded" cars out there.

Wait....can you do that on any bolt and they come out polished? Can I do that with valve cover bolts?


Coop

[quote=""Jeff V.""]Given the market for shitty 99 wannabes, it probably wasn't hard to Mitsubishi to justify continued production of the part.

I'm sure Matt's will be nicer than all but a few of them. But there's still a lot of poorly "upgraded" cars out there.[/quote]
Mine should end up looking how it is "supposed to", but a lot of that will depend on how well my painter matches the paint. I have all the correct pieces and am trying to do it right, but we'll see how it goes. I've seen plenty of '99 fronts to know what I'm trying to avoid.

The '99 parts were all readily available through the dealer, including the brackets and bolts and such. I didn't try to source the radiator shroud or intercooler ducts since those I can't use on my setup.

[quote=""DCIV""]Wait....can you do that on any bolt and they come out polished? Can I do that with valve cover bolts? [/quote]
I've only done it on stainless parts and steel screws/posts (pinball machine parts). With stainless it looks good for a long time, not so sure on regular steel. A coat of wax might help there, but I'd recommend to do some more research first. Coated/anodized/treated bolts like the stock stuff it probably wouldn't work well on. Easy enough to do some test pieces though.

if it would work I would go buy a tumbler, but I dont own any of that. I will do some research.


Coop

[quote=""DCIV""]if it would work I would go buy a tumbler, but I dont own any of that. I will do some research.


Coop[/quote]
I'll throw in some old stock bolts in and see how it goes. I'll take before/after photos.

you tumble dude! (get it....tumble aka rock!) lol


Coop

I think a lot of the bolts you can get are zinc plated, so if the polishing wears through the zinc then you might get more corrosion on the bolts. Stainless would be preferred for sure.

Tumble on!

[quote=""DCIV""]you tumble dude! (get it....tumble aka rock!) lol


Coop[/quote]

Got the old motor stripped down, and the new stroker shortblock is on the stand now. I'm not sure what sort of time I'll have this week to build it, but I'll do what I can. Next weekend my wife is out of town, so I'll try to have my son help me put it together (he's 6, so it'll be more like constant distractions, but hopefully I'll get something done).

Greg, the aircraft stripper is supposed to arrive tomorrow so I will get that valve cover stripped and sent off to you early this week.

Sounds good Matt!

that air craft stripper you can get at auto zone, I used it just a little bit ago when stripping my stuff...it will eat through even thin gloves. Its nasty stuff but works great. I put it in a plastic tub, put the air craft stripper on it, let it sit for about 5 mins then go to brush it around and let it sit another 5ish mins and then brush and hose off the part.


Coop

Yeah, I'm lazy so I ordered it from Amazon while I was in Denver last week. Thought it would be here for the weekend, but it wasn't.

[quote=""DCIV""]that air craft stripper you can get at auto zone, I used it just a little bit ago when stripping my stuff...it will eat through your hands. Its nasty stuff but works great. I put it in a plastic tub, put the air craft stripper on it, let it sit for about 5 mins then go to brush it around and let it sit another 5ish mins and then brush and hose off the part.


Coop[/quote]

fixed

Might want to pick up some chem gloves.

Valve covers finally stripped today. Started cleaning up the front of the car. Crash bar, headlight buckets, driver's side engine bay panels, etc. Not as much done as I hoped for, lots of distractions and work this weekend.

Greg, I found a box for the valve covers tonight, so should be sending them out tomorrow night after work. I'll send you a tracking number when they are on their way.