Engine Bay Clean up????

[Gjohnson7]

Ok, I've got my engine pulled and get ready to do some sanding and primering, getting ready for paint. I been searching the forums all night but have found what I'm looking for. I'm wondering if anyone has a write up or can point me in the right direction to clean up the engine wiring. I've seen where some have completely moved their fuse boxes and relays to behind the dash board and under the armrest. Just trying to see if I can clean up this mess.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2664000-2664999/2664385_8_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2664000-2664999/2664385_29_full.jpg

[Mikester]

Respectfully, I can see why you're wanting to do some cleaning up. Depending on how clean you want your look to be, there's plenty of options for you without having to search writeups. I didn't do any custom routing, other than retaping my harness and tying back my EGR/Boost solenoid connectors. Your engine bay is definitely kinda messy, but IMO just needs a little TLC, not an enima=) Unless you're going for show quality ultra clean. Here's how mine looks if you're interested.
11926

Cheers!
-Mike

BTW still trying to figure out how to get a decent sized pic on here. PM me with an email address if you'd like to see the full size ones. Either way, best of luck to ya!

[Spoolpigeon]

i went all out with mine, i don't know if you want to go into it this deep, but here is what i did.

pretty much stripped the bay
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n315/spoolpigeon/the%20240/DSC00784.jpg

hit it with some purple power...

before
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n315/spoolpigeon/the%20240/DSC00875.jpg
after
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n315/spoolpigeon/the%20240/DSC00885.jpg

wet sanded the bay with 400 grit, put it in primer
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n315/spoolpigeon/the%20240/DSC00966.jpg

wet sanded again with the 400grit, wahed the bay with water, let it dry overnight, the started with the real paint
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n315/spoolpigeon/the%20240/DSC00979.jpg

and here is the final product
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n315/spoolpigeon/the%20240/DSC01193.jpg

[20 til 3]

^^^ looks really good Spoolpigeon (http://www.zilvia.net/f/member.php?u=39238)

Hmmm... if you were talking about cleaning up all the wiring then I recommend something called a "painless harness" which in contrast, isn't exactly painless. But it's just a generic harness that you splice and wire within your car. Cost go from $50-200. Of course you don't need this, but making your engine bay with nothing but your engine in it requires alot more time and paitence then actually dropping your SR in.

The way I would do it, take out everything, every bit of wiring you can find, please make sure you don't cut it to get it out, keep it intact. Once it's all out, start rerouting wires to what you "NEED". I.E. Power to ECU, lights, sensor wires, etc. Do it one at a time and since it's such a broad range of possibilities on how far you want to redo your wiring, there isn't much help on the internet besides a FSM. So in turn, a FSM is your best friend, find it, keep it, love it, read it, use it.

[Sir]

Im in the same boat.
Going with custom harness, seems easier. Getting rid of pop-ups makes it easier too. Only thing left out of the driver side relay box is horn and ACC2.

[Gjohnson7]

Thanks for the info guys, the engine bays look great. I probably going to do something like yours Spoolpigeon. I am going to paint the entire car anyway, and I've started removing wiring, I just hate to remove something and not remember where it goes back. Guess I'll just get to taking more pictures and dive in.

P.S. Yeah the wiring in my engine bay looks a plain mess. I just bought the car with a knocking SR with the plan to rebuild.

[NSX-R]

It looks great. I can tell from experience you put in a lot of hours and it shows. congratulations!

i've been using a little bit of simple green and water to keep the dirt to a minimal in my engine bay.
the finishing touch that i use is tire foam from Costco. it really shines up the parts in the engine bay

[Gjohnson7]

Ok, new issue.

I made some mad progress today. But do I just leave the rest of these fuses and wires attached. I can't figure out how I would remove them from the driverside of the vehicle.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2664000-2664999/2664385_40_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2664000-2664999/2664385_41_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2664000-2664999/2664385_42_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2664000-2664999/2664385_43_full.jpg

Oh, and I was prepped and ready to power wash the engine bay earlier. I sprayed the bay down with degreaser and borrowed my neighbors power washer. I started it up and it idled for about 25 seconds and the pump went out. :cry:

[Sir]

I just pulled mine out.

you have to disconnect the SMJ thats there, along with couple of misc things (clutch pedal, misc relays) and then the harness that goes on the steering column. That all pulls out through the driverside hole by the fender.

Thats as far as I got.
Still got to get rid of the popup relays, ac, some other crap.

[ecuastyle84]

heres what i did:

after the motor was pulled
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c233/ecuastyle84/l_37c91a308343ee5aab9f1c867d851cde.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c233/ecuastyle84/100_2346.jpg
after i remove pretty much everything, i cleaned the bay using only bug tar...don't ask me why but it worked like a charm
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c233/ecuastyle84/100_2379.jpg
i then stripped the paint using soft sand paper...can't remember what grid i used though
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c233/ecuastyle84/100_2386.jpg
then comes the primer
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c233/ecuastyle84/100_2411.jpg
then the paint
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c233/ecuastyle84/100_2419.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c233/ecuastyle84/l_e93cb22599dd7a93a1b5d0284b774809.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c233/ecuastyle84/100_2738.jpg
an the finished product
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c233/ecuastyle84/100_2812.jpg

[Sir]

Nice, I won't be finished for a while as I'm stiching the chassis, so going and cleaning up all the glue is going to be fun for a while.
Also, looks like you left the AC under the dash - that I will be removing. and moving 90% of the wiring to the inside.
Also I hope you removed the battery tray - it looks rusted bad!

Besides that - looks awesome.

[ecuastyle84]

Nice, I won't be finished for a while as I'm stiching the chassis, so going and cleaning up all the glue is going to be fun for a while.
Also, looks like you left the AC under the dash - that I will be removing. and moving 90% of the wiring to the inside.
Also I hope you removed the battery tray - it looks rusted bad!

Besides that - looks awesome.

yea the ac im still debating if i want it or not...as for the battery tray that will be taking care of later on...since im on a tight budget with my swap, at this point i just need to get the car on the road...but thats def the first thing im fixing after the motor is running...you won't even believe how big of a rust hole i have there lol

[Sir]

I've seen my share of rusty S13s, Chicago isn't frienliest place for a S13. :lol:

Totally understand tho, especially if its your daily. I'm taking my sweet ass time with my S13.

[Gjohnson7]

I'll be working on removing the battery tray as soon as possible. I apparently have time, since I still haven't found a crank. But I do need to get my rubber to the road ASAP too!

[Gjohnson7]

Ok, finally got the engine bay power washed. Now, on to sanding. Thanks for all the tips guys.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2664000-2664999/2664385_45_full.jpg

[projectRDM]

Why is it you guys who go through the trouble of repainting everything but don't take the extra five seconds to pull the grommets out around the AC and heater lines?

[ecuastyle84]

i would of taken mine out if i was painting my bay a different color like red or something...but since i did it black i didnt care....you can hardy notice if it was painted or not

Why is it you guys who go through the trouble of repainting everything but don't take the extra five seconds to pull the grommets out around the AC and heater lines?

[Gjohnson7]

Hey, ecuastyle84 and Spoolpigeon what did you guys use for paint?

I've been working on the other body work for a while now and was going to paint the bay the same color as the car with my neighbor, but he is really busy right now and I need to get this sucker running. I was planning on dropping by the autoparts store and buying some rattle can primer and black paint.

Any suggestions? I'm planning of tackling this tomorrow.

[Sir]

truck bedliner - shit looks awesome.

[Tearlessj]

Im going to attempt to redo all my brake lines. I cant stand them being up top.

[Chrischeezer]

that looks really good,

you guys should of at least stitch welded the strut towers, any time i see a s13 with out the motor, the only thing running through my mind is welding the chassis. lol

just for shits..
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k141/ChrisCheezer/aug.28017.jpg

[TravisSW]

I've noticed a LOT of people use black and don't get me wrong, those are some beautiful engine bays.

But has anybody thought of going with a white or some kind of grey/silver? Not sure if it help reduce heat in the bay by sunlight, but it would be a hell of a lot easier to find a tool or screw that you dropped lol.

[Gjohnson7]

so for those that have done this, will just a few can's of dupont primer and paint take care of this nicely???

About how many cans? Are those pics above of flat black or glossy black? I can't tell on this computer screen.

[sbanzer123]

heres what i did.

motor out. cleaned it
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/Maxxman/IMG_2601.jpg

cut out the battery trey and welded a piece of steel in.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/Maxxman/DCFC0108.jpg

primed
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/Maxxman/DSCN0211.jpg

painted
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/Maxxman/DSC01068.jpg

back together
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/Maxxman/DSC01957.jpg

[khilgers]

I pulled the motor, got rid of all the electrical, removed brake booster, master cylinder, etc. Then for prep work I sanded the entire bay with a red scotch brite type pad, it worked great for getting into all the tight spots in the engine bay. Then I sent it out for paint, and while it was away for paint I re-wrapped the entire harness for a cleaner look. Lastly my friend that did the wiring got rid of a good amount of unecessary wires to help clean things up further. I'm happy with the way it turned out, good luck.

http://www.khilgers.com/forumpics/240swap/62.jpg
http://www.khilgers.com/forumpics/240swap/71.jpg

[Sergio180sx]

i know this is old but i would love to see more examples and tips on tucking the harnesses, anyone shave there s-chassis bay?

[s13love-green]

i know this is old but i would love to see more examples and tips on tucking the harnesses, anyone shave there s-chassis bay?

same here pics and details on how u did it to help out and save time when we do it

[pogstar]

Go to this thread, lots of awesome bays
http://zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=322220