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| pianoguy | Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Guru Emeritus
 
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To me, part of the pleasure of owning a car like a Vette is popping the hood, and recognizing that, by God, there is an engine in there. The L98 was a great-looking piece, and I've seen some that were gorgeous. The LTx engines were less so, but still nice - a little sleeker, but definitely looked like an engine. And the C4 ZR-1 engine is a work of art. But newer cars' engines are just plain fugly to me. The latest issue of Corvette Fever has an article where they replaced the plastic panels on a C5 with polished stainless steel, and slathered a bunch of other stainless covers all over. The end result looked like a shiny armadillo, not an engine in sight (other than the grimy bits you could see hiding under some gaps). Even on the new ZR1, you look through the fancy window on the hood and see nothing but an engine cover. What gives?
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Posted on: 2008/12/24 4:58
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1996 LT4 �Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes.�- Jack Handey |
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| cuisinartvette | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Elite Guru
 
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I kept my mouth shut at GTGs but I like looking at motors not cheesy covers or accessories.
Late model stuff functions well just isnt pretty thats all. Only popped my hood once at one but for the most part its a C4 and noone really gets excited about a F.I. motor. Polished 6-71 blowers, now thats different. |
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Posted on: 2008/12/24 5:09
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| Jeffvette | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Quote:
Actually you are seeing the actual intercooler on the New ZR1. The silver portion is the top of the cooler.  |
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Posted on: 2008/12/24 5:33
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| Schrade | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Quote:
Yup. Nothin' special about a new motor in a new car. If you got one, you'll struggle to make it SOMETHIN'. One like that won't EVER compare to an old one that's CLEAN. Yup, dull and boring too huh? Attach file:  hpim0479.jpg (229.71 KB) hpim0753.jpg (195.34 KB) |
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Posted on: 2008/12/24 5:41
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LT5, Marc Haibeck ECM module, AUTOMATIC!!! 
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| bogus | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Grand Imperial Pooh-Bah
 
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Many of the plastic covers are designed to (supposedly) reduce engine noise...
personally, they are used to cover up poorly designed engine bays. My Prelude VTEC had a nice looking engine in it - and you could see it! But my 92 Si looked better, because the cam cover was more organic and shapely. I love the lines of the LT5. That engine is art. Look at a Ferrari motor sometime... drool...  Or the classic BBC... the 427/435hp tri-power... that motor just looked right in the engine bay... massive, clean... elegant. Alas, the biggest problem these days is hiding all the electronics... and to me, they are worth the problems they might initiate. |
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Posted on: 2008/12/24 7:44
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The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place. - George Bernard Shaw Education is the best tool to overcome irrational fear. - me |
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| crash | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Guru
 
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YEP CHROME WONT GET YOU HOME. I PREFER TO PUT THE MONEY INSIDE THE MOTOR AND GET SOME MORE PONIES OUT OF IT IF I WAS GOING TO DO ANYTHING AT ALL. I LIKE THE LOOKS OF AN OLD MUSCLE CAR ENGINE BAY MYSELF. KNOWING WHAT THAT MOTOR WAS BUILT FOR. BACK IN THE DAY YOU COULD WALK IN AND CHECK THE RIGHT BOXES AND GET A CAR WITH SOME HORSE POWER AND GEARING. BOY THAT WAS NEAT. DEM WERE THE DAYS MAN.
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Posted on: 2008/12/24 13:00
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IM NOT COMPLETELY USELESS I CAN BE USED AS A BAD EXAMPLE |
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| pianoguy | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Guru Emeritus
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I am glad they put all the money where it counts - the LS motors are pretty amazing. I'd just like to see them resemble something other than a spare tire cover - hard to make a hunk of plastic look like it means business.
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Posted on: 2008/12/24 14:08
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1996 LT4 �Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes.�- Jack Handey |
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| j3studio | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Elite Guru
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Whatever you want to say about the innards of a TPI, folks still say wow when the see it...
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Posted on: 2008/12/24 14:42
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Grace, 2003 50th Anniversary Convertible |
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| WW7 | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Senior Guru
 
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Man, do you sound like a bunch of old guys.Don't get me wrong, I love the look of the 60s and 70s motors but times change.Thirty years from now the older guys will be looking back and saying the same thing about the motors we have now..WW
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Posted on: 2008/12/24 14:47
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| j3studio | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Elite Guru
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Quote:
 Some of us are a bunch of old guys! |
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Posted on: 2008/12/24 14:50
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Grace, 2003 50th Anniversary Convertible |
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| crash | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Quote:
HEY I RESEMBLE THAT REMARK LOL |
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Posted on: 2008/12/24 15:10
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IM NOT COMPLETELY USELESS I CAN BE USED AS A BAD EXAMPLE |
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| 1Fast04Vert | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Elite Guru
 
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Opeen the hood on a C5, C6 and all you see is plastic. Got the made by Mattel look. Another reason I like the C4.
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Posted on: 2008/12/24 16:40
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2004 Vert. 475hp. Built by Vengeance Racing |
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| RUBY9246 | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Guru
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An old guys engine bay LT1
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Posted on: 2008/12/24 16:42
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| flyboy | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Elite Guru
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A lot of effort went into C4 engine and engine bay aesthetics. See McLellan's book, Corvette from the inside. A lot to do with the clamshell hood. Today it seems to have evolved into plastic covers to hide everything, for whatever reason.
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Posted on: 2008/12/24 16:51
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'91coupe, LT4Hotcam, some other stuff. If it's too loud, you're too old. "He works on old cars, then junks 'em" |
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| BrianCunningham | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Senior Guru
 
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Hey, at least it's not shoved under the windshield like some GM cars
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Posted on: 2008/12/24 17:13
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Polo Green 95 LT1 6-spd http://mysite.verizon.net/vzevcp74/ 383 LT1/Vortech Supercharger/AFR heads/Rod end suspension/Penske-Hardbar dual rate coilovers/Wilwood 6pot brakes NCCC Governor: http://BayStateCorvetteClub.com |
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| cuisinartvette | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Elite Guru
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Is should be, tha late models are ugly. At least they got half the Fbodys motor under the cowl, thats a plus LOL!
They do have less wiring Ill give em that. Lifting the hood theres nothign there except....an ugly motor. |
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Posted on: 2008/12/24 18:49
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| BrianCunningham | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Senior Guru
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It doesn't have to been though.
Take a look at what JeffVette did to this LSX  |
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Posted on: 2008/12/24 18:54
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Polo Green 95 LT1 6-spd http://mysite.verizon.net/vzevcp74/ 383 LT1/Vortech Supercharger/AFR heads/Rod end suspension/Penske-Hardbar dual rate coilovers/Wilwood 6pot brakes NCCC Governor: http://BayStateCorvetteClub.com |
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| Schrade | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Elite Guru
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Quote:
That one looks good. But the belt tho'... Is it inside out??? Aftermarket FPR? PCM cover? '93? |
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Posted on: 2008/12/24 20:03
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LT5, Marc Haibeck ECM module, AUTOMATIC!!!
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| Jeffvette | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Elite Guru
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Quote:
It's a dual sided belt, which the early LT1's required. |
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Posted on: 2008/12/24 20:07
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| pianoguy | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Guru Emeritus
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Quote:
Now we're talkin'! |
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Posted on: 2008/12/24 20:31
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1996 LT4 �Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes.�- Jack Handey |
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| PeteK | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Moderator
 
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Quote:
I agree. |
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Posted on: 2008/12/24 20:43
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"It was really on a pass until it came apart." "Yeah. They always are." |
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| CentralCoaster | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Senior Guru
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My L98 only has two decorative parts on it... the thin plastic pieces that cover the fuel injector harnesses. Everything else is functional. The plastic orgy went downhill from there.
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Posted on: 2008/12/24 21:13
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1985 Z51, ZF6 |
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| WW7 | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Senior Guru
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If you take all the plastic off the motors of today all you would have left is a block and heads..WW
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Posted on: 2008/12/25 17:57
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| pianoguy | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Guru Emeritus
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Quote:
I've got underwear that's older than some C4's.   |
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Posted on: 2008/12/25 18:07
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1996 LT4 �Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes.�- Jack Handey |
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| Midnight85 | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Guru
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60 years old and still want a clean engine.
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Posted on: 2008/12/28 15:38
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HORSEPOWER! Some is good, more is better, too much is just right. |
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| flyboy | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Elite Guru
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I'm dating myself, but 59yrs. and ditto.
Attach file: my 'lil project completed.jpg (191.91 KB) |
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Posted on: 2008/12/28 17:35
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| pianoguy | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Guru Emeritus
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Posted on: 2008/12/28 19:40
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_________________
1996 LT4 �Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes.�- Jack Handey |
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| Epimax | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Elite Guru
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Just getting stared with detailing the engine bay.
I went ahead and painted the fuel rail covers, and added some SS inserts on the valve covers. The only thing I'm going to do with the rest of it is give it a good cleaning and shine it up! (May paint the ASR cover to match fuel rail covers, maybe!)  Attach file: c7.JPG (145.43 KB) |
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Posted on: 2008/12/31 14:13
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| wesmigletz | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Senior Guru
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My engine compartment needs some work. It was detailed about 5 engine swaps ago, but I haven't kept-up on it. This pic is from last month when I replaced the #s matching 327 with my trucks 383... didn't even bother to wipe the air cleaner lid down. Guess I'm just lazy, or maybe one of those previously mentioned old guys. I dunno...
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Posted on: 2008/12/31 16:08
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| BrianCunningham | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Senior Guru
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FORD
LOL |
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Posted on: 2009/1/1 0:02
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Polo Green 95 LT1 6-spd http://mysite.verizon.net/vzevcp74/ 383 LT1/Vortech Supercharger/AFR heads/Rod end suspension/Penske-Hardbar dual rate coilovers/Wilwood 6pot brakes NCCC Governor: http://BayStateCorvetteClub.com |
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| Notorious | Re: Whatever happened to engine aesthetics? | ||
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Elite Guru
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Quote:
Hell, I still like a nicely detailed flathead. Oh, and I got your "old guy" right here!  I liked my LT1's appearance much better after I got rid of the fuel rail covers, plastic valve covers, polished the intake and added aluminum valve covers. |
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Posted on: 2009/1/1 0:18
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