Stainless Steel Covers For Biturbo V6?

[Vagsport]

Does anyone know if it is possible to replicate the standard carbon fibre engine covers (3 pieces) in stainless steel? I took my original covers to my local fabricator, but he reckons the covers have a compound curve, and it will require several seperate pieces of stainless steel welded together to make those curves. Does anyone know if these 3 pieces can be 'pressed' into shape? My old 3B engine bay was polished, shame the newer cars have all black parts covering the steel / aluminium My old engine bay looked like this:

[Stick Insect]

It is possible to make practically anything, you just need to know who can do it and be able to afford it.

most metals, unless too brittle, can be formed. Mercury is a metal but we won't go there!

If you want a compound curve on metal you have 3 main ways to do it:
1/ Make a press tool and press it using a hydraulic press or similar. This is expensive and impractical for limited production runs.
2/ Panel beat the shape into it using panel beating hammers, this is a real skill and takes time.
3/ Use a wheeling machine or an english wheel as they are called in America. see: http://www.frost.co.uk/frostRochdale...g_machines.asp
This is the best option but as you probably dont want to spend £3k I am chasing a couple of contacts for you. Stainless is not nice to work as it work hardens etc. The other option is to go to a trashy Citroen saxo bad boy type car show. There are sometime engineering companies who do 'dress up' items for Escort Cosworths etc. they sometimes do double curve panels.

D.

[Vagsport]

Cheers for that info. Would you recommend aluminium? It is a much softer metal to work, though I realise it needs frequent polishing.

Siena

[Stick Insect]

Aluminium would be an idea, it could be worked more easily and polished. It could be anodised ( same colour as the car?) or just clear. One of the suspects I am talking to, makes bodies for rare early racing porsches. it would be easy for him to do. He is in Stockport Cheshire. If you sent the covers to him he could copy them.

David

[Vagsport]

Sounds good David. One of my covers, the central one with 'V6 Biturbo' has a nasty scratch, being carbon fibre, it aint cheap. Have you got any contacts / links to this firm? I don't mind sending the bits down to them to replicate.

Siena

[Stick Insect]

I'm trying to contact him first to check it is ok to PM his number to you. He works all over Europe. He is good value for money and a very nice bloke..

I will be back to you asap.

D.

[Vagsport]

Cheers, David.

Siena