Polishing the plenum on your ecotec
I have never liked the look of the ecotec motors without the engine cover on. It is just plain ugly, with the wires for the injecters and the shape of the plenum. So i decided to have a go at neatening it up by polishing the plenum. As you may know, the plenum on the ecotec's is quite rough and...well ugly. By polishing it, you will make it look a lot more presentable.
What you will need:
320 grit wet/day paper
600 grit wet/day paper
800 grit wet/day paper
1000 grit wet/day paper
A rag to remove the dust during sanding
A polishing cloth (the rag will suffice)
A strong hand
Autosol or any metal polish
*you can use any number wet/day paper, but it recommended that you go up in small increments and finish with one of at least 1000.
1. Start of by removing the engine cover with a 10ml socket. And remove any dust from the plenum.
2. get the 320 grit paper and begin sanding it down, focusing on the parts which are really rough.
3. once you have done that, begin using the 600, then the 800 and finally the 1000. You should spent at least a few good minutes sanding it, using the rag to wipe away the excess dust that has been left. And take a break every once and a while, believe me, your hand will need it.
3. Once you have finished with the 1000 grit paper and given the plenum a good wipe down, you will notice that it is very very smooth and already looking much better than first. Get the Autosol, or any good metal polish, and start polishing the plenum. I did this a few times to get a nice finish.
And there you have it, a much neater looking plenum, and in my opinion it looks better then the plain old engine cover or some painted engine covers, and it only took you about an hour, if that! Plus, how many people have taken the time to even do that? Not many of your mates i guess.
Last edited by ANL53X; 15-05-2010 at 04:10 PM.
SILVERFOX
Good idea, ANL53X, some photos would top off your how-to nicely.
'Ah well, I suppose it had to come to this.'
pics or didnt happen
come on fellas.....ok ok i will try to get pics up soon. i took photos but the camera is 12mp so couldn't fit on here, but will use my mates soon.
open them in paint and resave as .jpg and youll be sweet.
if they are .bmp they take up a shit load of room
Just uploaded some pics. Give em a suss people. Love to hear some feedback.
Mucca Mad Boys
Looks nice and shinyand good write up mate
I must ask, why do you VS owners onwards call it a plenum? As far as im concerned its a Intake manifold cover.
No idea mate. Always have called it a plenum and not an intake manifold cover. it's the same thing, so it doesn't really matter whichever way.
Blumpkin
i might do my buick, just its really rough, should look good tho
Originally Posted by Swordsy
definitely man. i have never seen a buick 3800 done before, would be good. they are not the most attractive engines, then again neither are the eco-tecs.i might do my buick, just its really rough, should look good tho
was allways lking for a write up like this
tryed it on my 3800 but not that good so i ditched it it came out all crappy a have now just polished the top with the 3800 on it to a mirror finish and re painted the 3800 and im happy
hey all i was looking to do this on my ecotec, but my question is if i leave of the engine cover(the plastic things on top of the plenum) will i get defected?
no, gas converted vs dont have em as they cant fit back on so why would u get defected?
VR EXECUTIVE
Nil Bastardo Carborundum
To the OP. Looks OK, but why not unscrew the four studs used to retain the original plastic cover? You could then put in small neat chromed or stainless allen head bolts to fill the holes and it would look a bit neater.
Fresh prince of Pakky
well i have been done for it ...
wtf u gotta be kidding. thats the stupidest thing, so every vs thats on gas should get defected...Law = Stupid!
i didnt even know that. you learn something new every day, i just like to be safe when doing things to my car, dont want anymore hassles with the police then what i already have.
how much was the fine? the copper must of been having a really bad day.
why is the cover there? does it provide any extra safety? i thought it would make the engine hotter.
Fresh prince of Pakky
got a nice yellow sticker for the car lol
VIP Member
I'd tell the copper to shove it up his arse if he defected me for having the Engine Cover off, It serves no point other than the asthetic look of the motor!
JC Fitness Guru
hey man, sweet post......i did the same accept i finished with 1800 grit then used steel wool...
what do you reckon??
Man that come up nice as I kno wat I'm doin tomorrow
Go Hard Or Go Home
LIVING LARGE
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