22 replies to this topic

[Alistair383]

I need your help. I have just started to re build my 73 LH and will be using a 383 stroker and I can’t decide wether to go chrome or the new anodised black. I am old school so I am leading towards chrome. Has anyone used the black ( alternator, Gilmer drive, braided hoses etc ) if so I would love to see a photo. PLEASE HELP ME

[Cook]

Hi Alistair.  At the end of the day your personal preference should prevail. Different set-up but I went black instead of chrome where possible (I do have a couple of chrome parts) both inside and out because of personal preference and feeling that chrome would be harder to maintain, particularly in tight areas.  Good luck with the decision. Cheers Ron

Attached Files

•  Engine Bay Pic1.jpg   190.84K   12 downloads

[Ice]

Gee thats looking pretty rad Ron 

[Bigfella237]

Normally I would say: black if you want to hide something; or chrome if you want to highlite it.

 

But it comes down to the overall "look" you're trying to achieve and, as Ron said, personal preference.

 

Black 'everything' can end-up looking like a big black hole, and it's a lot harder to spot oil leaks and anything else that comes loose.

 

Chrome 'everything' takes a lot of work to keep it looking clean 'n shiny but, of course, adds a ton of "bling" factor!

 

All I can suggest, if you have time, is to attend a few car meets (coffee & cars, local club days, show 'n shine, etc.) and form your own impressions about what works and what doesn't?.

[jpxu1]

I haven't done either and don't really have a preference either way - chrome is obviously more traditional/old school, black newer (and Ron's engine bay looks very impressive and appealing to the eye - well done Ron), but I believe either finish will require just as much work to maintain. Dirt is dirt and black shows it up well.

And I can't help but wonder about the scenario of dropping a spanner on a rocker cover- from experience, not much on a chrome one.... but that nice shining black one, will it chip and then stand out like a sore thumb and require redoing?

 

Maybe your decision needs to be influenced by other parts of the build and whether they are traditional or more mod, ie. wheels, interior.

 

Good luck with your dilemma! (I'm lucky/restricted with my car- an XU1 has to be done as per factory these days)

 

Just my 1 1/2cents worth (inflation has gone up!)

 

JPXU1

[Statler]

Why can't ya have both?

 

 purpleengine bay_zpsvf5gagbc.jpg   88.21K   7 downloads

 

The only chrome i have is the bonnet hinges & i will change them to alloy ones eventually. Just can't justify the price atm. 

[skap]

Once ya go black.... 

[Cook]

Thanks Gene. Here's a current pick.  One regret was not painting the inlet manifold silver/grey. I just had it cleared and it has gone a bit sh*t. I agree on potential issues with chipping. I've had the extractors ceramic coated and the rocker covers done by HPC so hopefully some level of protection.  I guessed at least I could touch up any paint issues but fixing scratched chrome would be more of an issue.  I do however really like the look of chrome rocker covers.  Cheers Ron

Attached Files

•  Engine Bay1 Sept2022.jpg   129.7K   12 downloads

[Bigfella237]

That is one beautiful engine bay, Ron, but if I were you, I'd be a little pissed about the giant advertisement on the top radiator tank (or did you put that there)?

[Cook]

Thanks Andrew. Yeah not my work. I did have a quick go at getting it off but was worried it might leave a mark.  I will get at it at some point though down the list a bit at present. Cheers Ron

[Cook]

I think the other consideration Alistair is the colour of your car/engine bay. Chrome would look awesome on a dark colour, conversely I don't think it would look great with my lighter colour. Cheers Ron

[rexy]

Shiny is king…

 

How shiny though?

 

You can go full chrome, a step down to polished aluminium or another step down to shiny ceramic coat.

 

If you want people to be knocked off their socks when you pop the hood then chrome is the go.

[rexy]

Shiny 1.

 22E85224-2F44-489F-9FD7-F2F19DBE784D.jpeg   372.91K   8 downloads

 

Shiny 2.

 A6F0502D-D6D0-4BA5-9A13-4C3D0E0CBFB0.jpeg   395.7K   7 downloads

 

Ethnic Shiny.

 A9898DC8-0507-42FC-BE95-CC5EFAF4B000.jpeg   113.5K   7 downloads

 

Full spastic Shiny.

 E0D50AB2-973D-4FFE-8EF5-E11649EB7C19.jpeg   109.25K   7 downloads

[Shiney005]

Full spastic Shiny.

Been called that a few times over the years! 

[YellowGTR]

We had a saying in the 80s “if it don’t go chrome it”
Personally my preference is chrome but not to much, in saying that Cooks engine bay looks fantastic.

[Heath]

You need to come up with your own stylistic vision for your car... obviously nobody can give you a definitive answer on a topic that is purely about taste

 

BUT I will say that I personally regret using black in my bay so much (or not using more colour). I went to the extent of using black hose clamps, black Speed Flow fittings, etc. and don't regret that stuff so much but the bigger items like the block and rocker covers, inlet manifold, brake booster, trumpets etc. being black is stuff I think I'll come to regret and want to change to something else (brushed, polished, or painted in a colour). I think they will date the build in a way I don't want.

 Heath_80s_Torana_engine_bay (1).jpg   316.03K   6 downloads

No regrets about the brushed stainless, brushed ally, water blasted ally.

 

Black does hide oil of course, so it's somewhat easy to keep clean... but it really isn't very interesting, and it's so obviously in fashion currently that it will so obviously go out of fashion like those bloody awful Jayco caravan looking "Weld Pro" / "Street Pro" wheels will. (I can't wait until people start melting those into saucepans)

 

At least chrome and polished alloy are period, and a restrained use of those finishes, amongst good old painted colours generally looks darn good.

[skap]

You need to come up with your own stylistic vision for your car... obviously nobody can give you a definitive answer on a topic that is purely about taste

BUT I will say that I personally regret using black in my bay so much (or not using more colour). I went to the extent of using black hose clamps, black Speed Flow fittings, etc. and don't regret that stuff so much but the bigger items like the block and rocker covers, inlet manifold, brake booster, trumpets etc. being black is stuff I think I'll come to regret and want to change to something else (brushed, polished, or painted in a colour). I think they will date the build in a way I don't want.
Heath_80s_Torana_engine_bay (1).jpg
No regrets about the brushed stainless, brushed ally, water blasted ally.

Black does hide oil of course, so it's somewhat easy to keep clean... but it really isn't very interesting, and it's so obviously in fashion currently that it will so obviously go out of fashion like those bloody awful Jayco caravan looking "Weld Pro" / "Street Pro" wheels will. (I can't wait until people start melting those into saucepans)

At least chrome and polished alloy are period, and a restrained use of those finishes, amongst good old painted colours generally looks darn good.

Glad I’m not the only that hates weld wheels. 😂

[grumpy xu1]

Glad I’m not the only that hates weld wheels.

Like how many cars run convo pro's, they were cool 20 years ago, when they weren't on everything but f@ck i hate them now.

[Cook]

How about no external bling just some billet aluminium. Cheers Ron

Attached Files

•  Side Pic.jpg   236.39K   6 downloads

[Ice]

Lovin ya that hatch Ron 

[Cook]

Thanks Gene. Certainly been a love/hate relationship from time to time. 

 

Whatever you do Alistair trial fit everything and be prepared that for every one thing you change from original will impact at least 3 other things (if you are lucky). Cheers Ron

[rexy]

Glad I’m not the only that hates weld wheels.

 

 

Like how many cars run convo pro's, they were cool 20 years ago, when they weren't on everything but f@ck i hate them now.

 

Send all of your unloved weld and Convos to me gentlemen!

 

Its funny how style trends come and go. The blacked out thing pops up every decade or so.

 

Be thankful the late 80s trend of stone guarded engine bays has never returned….

[FLY_LX]

what about a matt finish?

i dont know how it holds up. but would easier to keep than chrome.