Hey guys,
Around 6 weeks ago, I tackled the last job on the Batram - customising the engine bay. More large scale detailing than anything else, re-routing wires, relocating items like the Emission and Cruise control units, etc. Turning the factory mess into a clean, subtle and Batram themed engine bay. Goals are simple; blacked out, subtle and clean. The engine block was painted satin black. I have never been a fan of the silver block showing through, especially when someone has nice new powder coated valve covers. Although only a portion of the block is seen, it's still a worth while mod IMO as it ties it all together, especially when it's black.
The intake, valve covers, alternator, water bottles and TB are gloss black. All the screws/bolts/red electric clip locks, EVERYTHING, were painted black in high temp paint too, not for "wow, he even painted the screws" factor, so that they'd be simply overlooked and become invisible to the viewer.
Painting the block and covering the back wall with BLACK Hushmat were some of the best mods I did. I knew going into this job that there was no way I was leaving that garlic bread silver foil back there, not a chance in hell. It HAD TO GO. I searched for a while and finally found black foil, I was happy as a pig in shit, didn't think anyone made it. It's good stuff too, more heat resistant than Dynamat. It just makes the back of the bay disappear. Look at any stock bay and it's there, in your face. To me, this was the same improvement as doing the interiors' silver pillar posts, same kind of annoying contrast. Remember, this is my opinion and it is probably made a lot worse when everything else is black hahahaha. A lot of the mods and work I did are too finicky to post, just a lot detailing and attention really, I see something and address it. Another simple mod is removing all the decals, from the front rad pipes to the hood hinge struts, there's around 20 of the bastards lol. They all detract from a clean image. Keep them in a log book or like I did, on a garage cabinet door.
If you are interested in what I did or parts used, please view my website (below) if you can be arsed or are interested in all the details and 70+ images of the work carried out. I am very happy. The Batram is getting close to finally being complete. A few small touches are needed in the bay (power steering cap with engraved Batlogo) etc. Prior to starting the engine bay work, I was going to get "Batram" on the valve covers BUT, then the soul of this truck would be gone. I wanted everyone who saw the engine bay to know, 100%, that this truck was no ordinary Ram, but the famous SRT10 Viper powered vehicle. It was an easy decision in the end, just had to get rid of the red lol. Once the remaining small appearance jobs are done, it's on to the "defensive weapons". I already have the smoke screen in place. Next is the caltrops (ninja stars) and oil dispensers (automated from in car). The only thing the Batram won't have is guns lolol. Anyhow, I'm not arrogant enough to think everyone likes my tastes or cars, all that matters is - I love it.
Cheers,
Carlwalski
The Batram
http://www.carlwalski.com/Batram3.html
85% stock and prior to customising.
Another stock image. Tired and dirty after a road trip, ready to begin.......
Headers, intake, battery tray removed and wiring labelled......
Fuel rails and coil packs removed, wiring shifted for paint.......
More items removed and being masked......
Empty bay, just about ready for a paint.
Masking underneath......
More masking below........
Some of the paint products I used (Not the Etch Primer for the engine block).
The new satin black block.........
New gloss black powdercoated goodies: Valve covers, intake, catchcan, alternator, t-clips.
Powder coated T-clamps.
Alternator ready to be put together professionally by an Auto sparky.
Back together front.....
Back together rear.....
The stock alternator and the reason I did it lol, looks like arse........
HPC Coated Headers, in semi-gloss black. Not cheap but good for 2,370F (1,300c) +
Another of the HPC Coated headers........
HPC closer up......
HPC coated OEM manifold Gaskets, couldn't have them silver now could I.
HPC gaskets, closer up.....
Under the master cylinder cover, the painted bottle with level check Batlogo.
To check the fluid, I use the Batlogo which remains in the bottles original white. The top of the bat is "full".
I left the fuel rails to break it up and tie in with the Viper font on the valve covers.
I wanted to have them float, so painted the mounts gloss black, works well.
The Black Hushmat that replaced the garlic bread looking OEM crap lol.
Close up of the Hustmat layers.......
Getting the wiring organised.....
Relocated emissions control module under the RH fender.
New billet gloss black rad and water bottles, replaces those eyesore white POS.
Aftermarket rad bottle with neck shortened. Before it looked too long and in your face, it didn't need to be.
I made it around 3-1/2" shorter resulting in it being hidden and out of the way.
Valve cover nuts painted with high temp black paint.
Valve covers in, headers, plugs, leads......just needed the coil packs!
Wiring, wiring, wiring......
Wiring just about completed.........soon, intake!
Intake on........
Protective padding removed, looking good.........
THE ENGINE BAY
Around 6 weeks ago, I tackled the last job on the Batram - customising the engine bay. More large scale detailing than anything else, re-routing wires, relocating items like the Emission and Cruise control units, etc. Turning the factory mess into a clean, subtle and Batram themed engine bay. Goals are simple; blacked out, subtle and clean. The engine block was painted satin black. I have never been a fan of the silver block showing through, especially when someone has nice new powder coated valve covers. Although only a portion of the block is seen, it's still a worth while mod IMO as it ties it all together, especially when it's black.
The intake, valve covers, alternator, water bottles and TB are gloss black. All the screws/bolts/red electric clip locks, EVERYTHING, were painted black in high temp paint too, not for "wow, he even painted the screws" factor, so that they'd be simply overlooked and become invisible to the viewer.Painting the block and covering the back wall with BLACK Hushmat were some of the best mods I did. I knew going into this job that there was no way I was leaving that garlic bread silver foil back there, not a chance in hell. It HAD TO GO.
I searched for a while and finally found black foil, I was happy as a pig in shit, didn't think anyone made it. It's good stuff too, more heat resistant than Dynamat. It just makes the back of the bay disappear. Look at any stock bay and it's there, in your face. To me, this was the same improvement as doing the interiors' silver pillar posts, same kind of annoying contrast. Remember, this is my opinion and it is probably made a lot worse when everything else is black hahahaha. A lot of the mods and work I did are too finicky to post, just a lot detailing and attention really, I see something and address it. Another simple mod is removing all the decals, from the front rad pipes to the hood hinge struts, there's around 20 of the bastards lol. They all detract from a clean image. Keep them in a log book or like I did, on a garage cabinet door. If you are interested in what I did or parts used, please view my website (below) if you can be arsed or are interested in all the details and 70+ images of the work carried out. I am very happy. The Batram is getting close to finally being complete. A few small touches are needed in the bay (power steering cap with engraved Batlogo) etc. Prior to starting the engine bay work, I was going to get "Batram" on the valve covers BUT, then the soul of this truck would be gone. I wanted everyone who saw the engine bay to know, 100%, that this truck was no ordinary Ram, but the famous SRT10 Viper powered vehicle. It was an easy decision in the end, just had to get rid of the red lol. Once the remaining small appearance jobs are done, it's on to the "defensive weapons". I already have the smoke screen in place. Next is the caltrops (ninja stars) and oil dispensers (automated from in car). The only thing the Batram won't have is guns lolol. Anyhow, I'm not arrogant enough to think everyone likes my tastes or cars, all that matters is - I love it.
Cheers,
Carlwalski
The Batram
http://www.carlwalski.com/Batram3.html
85% stock and prior to customising.
Another stock image. Tired and dirty after a road trip, ready to begin.......
Headers, intake, battery tray removed and wiring labelled......
Fuel rails and coil packs removed, wiring shifted for paint.......
More items removed and being masked......
Empty bay, just about ready for a paint.
Masking underneath......
More masking below........
Some of the paint products I used (Not the Etch Primer for the engine block).
The new satin black block.........
New gloss black powdercoated goodies: Valve covers, intake, catchcan, alternator, t-clips.
Powder coated T-clamps.
Alternator ready to be put together professionally by an Auto sparky.
Back together front.....
Back together rear.....
The stock alternator and the reason I did it lol, looks like arse........
HPC Coated Headers, in semi-gloss black. Not cheap but good for 2,370F (1,300c) +
Another of the HPC Coated headers........
HPC closer up......
HPC coated OEM manifold Gaskets, couldn't have them silver now could I.
HPC gaskets, closer up.....
Under the master cylinder cover, the painted bottle with level check Batlogo.
To check the fluid, I use the Batlogo which remains in the bottles original white. The top of the bat is "full".
I left the fuel rails to break it up and tie in with the Viper font on the valve covers.
I wanted to have them float, so painted the mounts gloss black, works well.
The Black Hushmat that replaced the garlic bread looking OEM crap lol.
Close up of the Hustmat layers.......
Getting the wiring organised.....
Relocated emissions control module under the RH fender.
New billet gloss black rad and water bottles, replaces those eyesore white POS.
Aftermarket rad bottle with neck shortened. Before it looked too long and in your face, it didn't need to be.
I made it around 3-1/2" shorter resulting in it being hidden and out of the way.
Valve cover nuts painted with high temp black paint.
Valve covers in, headers, plugs, leads......just needed the coil packs!
Wiring, wiring, wiring......
Wiring just about completed.........soon, intake!
Intake on........
Protective padding removed, looking good.........
THE ENGINE BAY
