g9m3c Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 I should have my ZTherapy round tops sometime next week, so I went ahead and started making my own air cleaners for them. The K&N part number I'm using for these is e-4518. They're 7" O.D. and 3" tall. I'm going to copy and paste most of this from another forum I'm on. Alright, got started on the air cleaners tonight. On a side note.......it's been so long since I fabbed something, I forgot how much fun it is! The mess I'm working in.......... By the way, all you fabricators out there, if you don't have a hand operated shear, GET ONE! I got this one for under $100 on ebay, and it has been a life saver. It cuts this 16 gauge like butter. A little decoration..... Not really any purpose in it, other than adding a tiny bit more rigidity to the lid, but it's gonna look awesome painted black with the Z logo in the middle. Plug welded from the back I'm hoping to get this one finished up, primed, and painted tonight. That might be a little ambitious though..... Alright, I didn't quite get it finished tonight, but I got 80% of the fabbing done anyway. I would have finished this one tonight if Wal-Mart carried hole saws capable of cutting metal. Too bad Home Depot isn't 24/7. I still have to cut the hole for the throat of the carb and weld in a 1/4" hose barb to the base plate for the fuel bowl vent hose. (Thanks to Bruce for telling me about the bowl vent hose! It would have sucked to have them all painted and then realize that. ) Gotta do a little bodywork on em, then primer and paint! Then...............do it all over again. Also, I haven't decided between wing nuts or acorn nuts for the hold down studs. Wing nuts would be way more functional for ease of removal, but they look pretty bulky and awkward on these small air cleaners. I'll probably just keep a cheap wrench in the glovebox for the acorns. I'm pretty happy with em so far. Whatcha think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g9m3c Posted July 17, 2009 Author Share Posted July 17, 2009 Here's one with wing nuts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evan Purple240zt Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Looks great, did you cut those circles with that shear? Impressive. The only thing I can cut a decent circle with is a router and a circle jig LOL. I prefer the acorns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g9m3c Posted July 17, 2009 Author Share Posted July 17, 2009 Looks great, did you cut those circles with that shear? Impressive. The only thing I can cut a decent circle with is a router and a circle jig LOL. I prefer the acorns. Yep, cut the circles with the shear. It was pretty tedious, but I was surprised at how smooth it cuts. Just a little finishing with a file, and they're good to go. I'm gonna go buy a 1 3/4" hole saw (hopefully) from Home Depot so I can finish this one up and get it painted. I'll have more pics tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drax240z Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Yeah those hand shears are worth buying for sure, most will do up to 1/8" plate no prob, or 1/4" round, etc. For less than $100 they are a steal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evan Purple240zt Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 1/8" plate? Oh hell yes! I didn't see an identical one on ebay, mind getting a link for me? thanks! Evan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g9m3c Posted July 17, 2009 Author Share Posted July 17, 2009 1/8" plate? Oh hell yes! Ebay you say? Evan Yes sir. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drax240z Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Harbour freight would have them I am sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g9m3c Posted July 17, 2009 Author Share Posted July 17, 2009 Alright, done with the fabbing on this one and started smoothing it up. Hopefully I'll get it painted tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g9m3c Posted July 18, 2009 Author Share Posted July 18, 2009 Well, just got the first one painted, but didn't get any pics. I'll have some up tomorrow to show the full effect of the paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cockerstar Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 can you say b/s/t? I could see these selling very well if you wanted to make a few sets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbk240z Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 Hey man, great job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g9m3c Posted July 18, 2009 Author Share Posted July 18, 2009 Thanks guys! They are painted and dry, but I'm not happy with the finish. I used that hammertone paint but it didn't really...........hammertone. I still want to do something different other than straight black. I'll figure out something and post up some pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g9m3c Posted July 20, 2009 Author Share Posted July 20, 2009 Here's what I came up with. I used a metallic charcoal and black. It's much darker in person. I think the flash made it lighter. I still have 2 more coats of clear to go and then cut/buff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g9m3c Posted July 20, 2009 Author Share Posted July 20, 2009 3 coats of clear on it now. I'm hoping to get the base plate redone tonight as well so I can start fabbing number 2 tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g9m3c Posted July 20, 2009 Author Share Posted July 20, 2009 The clear dried enough for me to lay it on the filter and get a sneak peek. Acorn nuts.... Wing nuts.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbk240z Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 I would go with the acorn nuts, much cleaner look. Nice paint by the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g9m3c Posted July 20, 2009 Author Share Posted July 20, 2009 I would go with the acorn nuts, much cleaner look. Nice paint by the way. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g9m3c Posted July 21, 2009 Author Share Posted July 21, 2009 Fully buffed with the Z decal applied. Not bad for spray paint, aye? That's all I did on it today. Probably not gonna get a lot done the rest of the week either. I'll be out of town for a few days, but hopefully it will be running in a couple more weeks or less! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leon Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 Wow, that is awesome work! I would also go with the acorn nuts, they look very clean. I know you mentioned hammertone paint, but it was unclear as to what you ultimately used. Do you mind telling us what paint you used? It looks great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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