I'm puting my engine back in the car in a couple weeks and am having a hard time deciding which valve covers to go with. I really like the fabricated covers like these. The AFR heads are machined for perimeter and centerbolt covers.
I think they will look awesome against the black block and aluminum HSR.
I think I'm gunna go with the fabricated covers but wanted some opinions.


Or I am thinking of going with these and painting the plenum with black crinkle paint except for the tops of the ribs on top(leaving those aluminum.

 

I like the last ones with the black lines on them.

That would look absolutely sick with the TPI Plenum lines black with it..

 

I know, that's what I'm thinking, and the HSR has the same lines.

 

I've got the last set you've got shown. Except mine have the edelbrock logo in the fins on top. I'd choose those over the first sets you've got there.

 

I had them with the logo on my 355 in my blazer and they were cool but I don't want he logo on these if I get'em. I think it cleans it up some without it.

 

I agree, they look a lot better without the logo.

 

This is my favorite valve cover.

And in black crinkle

And since you've got a Pontiac

 

Here's the first one on my buddies motor. Those are AFR heads too

 

I almost bought a set that say PONTIAC on them from summit. but instead of buying them and drilling out the holes I got a blank set with the holes already drilled and a local engraving shop is machining TRANS AM into them.

 

That's also a good idea. Buy blank aluminums and have Formula 355 or something machined in, hmmm.

 

If you wanna go that route, a piece of advice would be to find an engraving shop...maybe a place that makes plaques or trophies. Most CNC shops won't do valve covers. I called about 12 or 13 different CNC joints and they all said no. I called 1 engraving shop, and they said "no problem, bring 'em in." They guy that's doing mine is even using the Pontiac font.

 

I just love the shape of the ones that say Chevrolet

 

If you ever need anything CnCed get ahold of me. I could have done it for ya.
Go with some of these. I powdercoated em for a guy on here.
http://www.cecoatings.com/images/coa...s/DSC00703.JPG

 

i vote for the no logo edelbrocks, i love the look of mine.

 

I think this is what you are describing.
If I did it again i'd give the upper plenum a brushed aluminum look and go with the aluminum fabricated valve covers.

 

Yep, that's what I was thinking about. I can't tell in the pic but are the lines on top of the hsr aluminum? No offense, it looks good but I think I'm going with the fabricated covers and plain intake. I don't know if I like the plenum all black now that I see it.

 

I don't like it either. I dont think I had the fins bare aluminum in that pic.
Looked beter kinda polished. Would have looked pimp with the fabricated valve covers.

 

Yeah, looks better with the fins bare/polished.

 

I attempted to use the fabricated v/c's on my car, and found that with the factory alternator mount on the drivers side the power stud on the alternator will hit the valve cover. You need the fabricated center bolts that have a recessed gasket rail instead of the kind that is straight up from the cylinder head... I hope you understand what I am trying to say. I have only seen one place that had this style, and can't remember who it was that was making them.

** I really like the fabbed v/c's better **

 

A set up without lines. I like it.

 

Code name - is this your engine?? If so did you weld up the fins in the plenum, then sand smooth? The aluminum log over the pass vc -does it serve a purpose, or just a neat way to route heater hoses? And most important - Where did you get those strut tower caps!!!

 

The smooth plenum top appears to be a sheetmetal cover. With 90 degree bends on the sides, to fit under the runner bolt heads & enough length to fit under the plenum exttension mounting bolts/screws, to mount it.

I'm not liking the cover look. Maybe if the ribs on top of the plenum & extension were just filled, and then it all polished or painted. I'm just a fan of the stock ribbed look.

I wouldn't mind getting a set of those ribbed valve covers with the Edelbrock logo. Paint them and the plenum (maybe black? red?) and the have the rib tops polished, like mike1986fyrbird HSR intake pic on the floor.

 

YES ! Where did you get those strut caps?

 

This is my buddies car... everything is custom made by him.

His name here is 406TPI or something similar.

 

That, my friend, is not a cover. I machined off the ribs and hand made a plenum extension. Lot's of work went into that intake, wish I still had it...but we are on to bigger and better things. Also made the strut caps and the heater hose holder.

 

Wow! Actual smoothed plenum. I'm betting CNC machined, to get it level, so it could be polished? I just assumed it to be a sheetmetal aluminum cover. That's a lot of work. If you were to go for the smooth look, that's the way to go!

 

Nope, I set it up on a sine plate and machined it on a bridgeport.

 

ALways loved the look of 406TPIs plenum. I did the same to one and resold it.

I have one I cut the complete top out of. Then tig welded a nice piece of 6061 alum to it. Gonna polish it next. Give it a neat look with the tig wleded bead around the top.

 

406 - WOW!! That is some great work, but sorry to say that I will have to copy you in a similar fashion. I talked to friend that thought he could probably just tig weld the ribs in, then grind smooth on both the plenum and extension. Do you think that this could work??, or should I just plan on having it machined down?

Chris - you should see about making some billet strut caps