My 3.5L EPIC waste of time!!! Why not!

**reefstar** · 02-24-2021, 10:50 AM

Found the leaks in the Plenum. 2 small ones, and the large one I could hear.

But no surprises.

I did figure out a good trick though. Having a cigar around helps find the leaks. Just tape off everything and then blow a puff off the cigar into one of the small ports. And just watch for where the cigar smoke seeps out!!! And as a bonus, the garage smells great!!!

The engine was already running well, so fixing the leaks should only make it better.

**Mongo300cSRTdesign** · 02-24-2021, 01:57 PM

Great build, exceptional workmanship. Thanks for sharing your project. I don't know if you decided, but I would chrome the intake. I think anything else would detract from the engine bay.

**reefstar** · 02-24-2021, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by Mongo300cSRTdesign

Great build, exceptional workmanship. Thanks for sharing your project. I don't know if you decided, but I would chrome the intake. I think anything else would detract from the engine bay.

The issue is the plenum (If that’s what you’re referring to) is composite, so chroming it would require vacuum metalmetalizing. That would create a host of other issues.

Currently my plan is the parts in the pictures (engine bay covers, plenum etc) that are unfinished will be painted to match the car color. The 3 1/2” tube for the CIA is now chrome.

**Mongo300cSRTdesign** · 02-24-2021, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by reefstar

The issue is the plenum (If that’s what you’re referring to) is composite, so chroming it would require vacuum metalmetalizing. That would create a host of other issues.

Currently my plan is the parts in the pictures (engine bay covers, plenum etc) that are unfinished will be painted to match the car color. The 3 1/2” tube for the CIA is now chrome.

If the composite can withstand 400F then consider chrome power coating?

**reefstar** · 02-24-2021, 04:49 PM

So it’s not engine related but...

New Rims arrived today ...

**reefstar** · 02-24-2021, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by Mongo300cSRTdesign

If the composite can withstand 400F then consider chrome power coating?

There’s also hydro dipping too.

How to finish the plenum has always been a question. The other issue is that too much chrome may overwhelm the rest of the engine and if it’s not perfectly smooth, any defect will be highlighted.

But I still need to figure it out. Fortunately it’s easy enough to remove and redo if I change my mind.