96 Beretta Project

[IsaacHayes]

They even have chrome powder coat that looks like real chrome. It doesn't come out as perfect as chrome (maybe a bit more un-even finish where it's thicker in some areas) but does look good. I think Elderbrock uses it on some of their intake manifolds.

[3400-95-Modified]

Um, Not sure... Maybe. You would have to ask those that do offer the clear service.

[SofaKingWeToddDid]

thats cool, but it says a second coat? so i couldnt polish my valve covers and go get them PC'd clear?

[3400-95-Modified]

I found this online.

"What is Clear Powder Coating?
Clear powder coating serves the same purpose as clear coat wet paint. It protects the underlying finish and adds depth and luster to the surface. Clear powder coat is applied as a second coat and shot while the piece is still hot. Then the piece is returned to the oven for a second curing process. Use clear powder coating on any piece that exposure to elements could cause it to fade or be subject to damage."

http://www.custompowdercoating.com/faq.html

[SofaKingWeToddDid]

ive never heard of clear powder coat!! haha ill have to look into it.

[3400-95-Modified]

Yeah I may get these stripped and resurfaced over the winter or next summer. Budget is tight with buying a house and all.

Any info on how well clear powder coat comes out? Or would I have to clear coat the polished areas seperate? I hat to leave aluminum exposed because thats much harder to keep clean.

[SofaKingWeToddDid]

i get powder coating for free (in any shade of black) and if i want a colour, i have to pay $20 (for the powder) then i wait patiently until my guy gets a chance to do it when the bosses arent around. lol

[3400-95-Modified]

Oh god yeah they are just painted. Not many rims other that ones you will spend 3k on won't be just painted. These were 420 shipped to my door. I figured if I don't mess them up pysically I can have them resurfaced and quite possibly powder coated.

[SofaKingWeToddDid]

so theyre just painted and not powder coated?
all i really want is some nice flat black 5 or 7 spoked wheels. 5 preferably. but either way i think its gonna wait till next summer.
im trying to take expensive mods on my car slow. and if i get wheels im getting bigger wheels than what i have now, so newer tires. and i dont like cheap rubbers. lol so im probably looking at like $3,000 for wheels and tires together. this winter is exhaust. and sometime soon i want to repaint my car (still red) but i want two thick black stripes going down the top of the car from front to back, and probably to get rid of the z34 stripe.

[3400-95-Modified]

Thats what I was going to shoot for... right now I'm trying to get this timing set done and in... And buy a damn house.... LOL

Oh and the wheels are only 100 each from discounttiredirect.com They looked nice when I first got them... however now they are a little rough around the edges... no curb rash, just the clear on the polished lip is cracking and some of the black paint is chipped... nothing a resurface wouldnt fix, but right now thats the least of my worries.

[torq455]

i have S&S headers and i don't have leaks. it would be better if you can get your AFR to start at 12.5 and have it drop to 12.2 over time (1/4 mile). engines build up heat when you run them hard, and having a little more gas enter the combustion chambers will help keep things cool, preventing KR.

[SofaKingWeToddDid]

i WANT your wheels!! lol

[3400-95-Modified]

My bad, it's all back together and the idle is much quieter less chatter... minus my miss aligned header cross over junction. Does everyone with headers have a leak somewhere? LOL

But after putting it back together I started in on doing a better tune, I worked on a VE tune for a few days and then just reset my MAF tables to factory and wanted to see how it ran... The car responds very well and fueling is not that bad actually... I still need to add some more since right when you get on it it’s about 13:1 and will come down to 12.5:1 as you go. I would rather see a 12.5:1 initial hit and hold there.

Right now I'm waiting on timing parts since when I was doing this I also checked slop in the timing chain and going by sound and motion at the crank I was not impressed... So when that stuff comes in this week I'll start pulling the timing cover over the weekend. I'm also sending that stuff out for Cryogenic treatment to possibly prolong its future life. Info on that is in my timing sets thread.

The BEST part about all of this is I finally got to fix my LIM valley oil leaks!!!!! No more oil pouring down the front and rear of my block! The first time I put it together I did not do a think enough bead before installing the LIM and I did not drill the 3400 for the 3500 rubber valley gaskets there, so it just never had enough sealant to squish it and seal, which ended up always having a seep on both sides.

[torq455]

yeah, how it going?

[SofaKingWeToddDid]

radial motion blur would make the wheels look wicked in that last pic!! but that sone sexy beretta!!