VS - N54 N55 Intake Manifold Shield

Omar@VaderSolutions

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Hows it going everybody , not quite finished with this new product ill be releasing very soon but i thought i share some beat fitment testing and development photos i suppose to keep those who are interested...interested lol

I will be posting more photos as I move along with this project. I think its a pretty cool product, its the beauty cover people wished for back when the N54 was released because of the ugly waffle reinforcement design on the intake manifold.


-14 Gauge Aluminum CNC cut sheet
-Powdercoat optional (will come raw aluminum)
-Plug n Play no modification or bolts required (Held on by rubber grommets)


(beta photo using home depot sheet of metal)
IMG_2201.jpeg



anyways let me know what you guys think.. open for ideas as well
 

ShocknAwe

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Jan 24, 2018
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Couple of thoughts....

Needs to look OEM.

Needs to integrate with the engine cover, and needs to be able to fit under an airbox.

Would look better if there was a way to have the MAP not appear to be am afterthought.

Only other thing would be possibility of it causing heat retention underneath around the IM which I can't imagine would be desirable. Easy enough to put a temp probe in there with and without the cover to see if it's substantially hotter with the cover in place.

Great idea!
 
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Omar@VaderSolutions

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Couple of thoughts....

Needs to look OEM.

Needs to integrate with the engine cover, and needs to be able to fit under an airbox.

Would look better if there was a way to have the MAP not appear to be am afterthought.

Only other thing would be possibility of it causing heat retention underneath around the IM which I can't imagine would be desirable. Easy enough to put a temp probe in there with and without the cover to see if it's substantially hotter with the cover in place.

Great idea!
i really appreciate comments like this... i will see what i can do thank you!
 
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gmagnus7

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Dec 3, 2018
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Maybe make it a bit higher or something so you wouldn't need a cut out for the sensor. And I think if it had bent edges all around (sort of cradling the intake) like the leftmost side does, it would make it seem more well thought out. A photo with the stock engine cover and/or cowl would be good once you finalize a design. It's totally asthetic though so I would lean towards the cheaper/affordable side of pricing. Just my thoughts anyway.
 
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Torgus

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Nov 6, 2016
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No offense but it is lip stick on a pig. The N54 engine bay is fugly.
 

WOT808

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Aug 7, 2017
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Good idea.
I think a plate that follows the shape of the stock intake manifold would be cool.
Maybe use the throttle body bolts to mount and run it high over the MAP and Intake Box grommet stubs to just before the engine cover.
Have the radiator side of the plate curve down some.
Worth a shot?
 

Omar@VaderSolutions

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Louvers maybe?
was thinking the same, some sort of venting

Good idea.
I think a plate that follows the shape of the stock intake manifold would be cool.
Maybe use the throttle body bolts to mount and run it high over the MAP and Intake Box grommet stubs to just before the engine cover.
Have the radiator side of the plate curve down some.
Worth a shot?
yes for sure im trying my best to get this thing to be more sleek and oem like. i will def try to get the map sensor covered
 

Torgus

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Make a big piece of metal that covers the entire engine bay that you can paint body color to hide the hideous n54 engine bay. Oh wait we have one of those stock :tonguewink:

But yeah louvers, it's only one more step to punch them in/out and will look 'better'. The person who will buy this will appreciate the louvers, of that I am sure.

What about offering laser engraving/etching? They can put their instagram handle on it or a big penis.
 

Omar@VaderSolutions

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Oct 19, 2016
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Make a big piece of metal that covers the entire engine bay that you can paint body color to hide the hideous n54 engine bay. Oh wait we have one of those stock :tonguewink:

But yeah louvers, it's only one more step to punch them in/out and will look 'better'. The person who will buy this will appreciate the louvers, of that I am sure.

What about offering laser engraving/etching? They can put their instagram handle on it or a big penis.
i am actually lining up a deal with laser engraver to get stuff engraved as orders come in lol that would be pretty cool for people who want to pop hoods and just show their ig handle without repeating it every 10 minutes
 
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Torgus

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If you are looking for things to make the coolant tank like doc race teased 2 years ago and never brought to market, it does not need to be CNC'd like DR showed, or another design. Same with PS reservoir, would be quick to market products I would think and help improve the engine bay aesthetics. Maybe make sure they fit a forward facing intake manifold as those are probably the people willing to spend coin on their engine bay look. Same with catch cans, if you can have them fit a FF manifold and stock that would be best. The doc race's placement of the coolant tank right up above the radiator would be another place to have etched/engraved/powder coated etc.

Another thought on your IM cover is to make a sheet metal to cover the DME compartment and brake reservoir compartment, yes I know we have plastic panels I see yours are missing just like mine. They make a ridged fastener that would connect to a straight piece of sheet metal. Offer all of them clear & coated or painted body color. Just some ideas. But really the best solution is to close the hood and #walkaway ;)

Glad to see you continue to bring products to the market. I like your Tmap/BOV part. Simple and smart.
 
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Omar@VaderSolutions

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If you are looking for things to make the coolant tank like doc race teased 2 years ago and never brought to market, it does not need to be CNC'd. Or another design, same with PS reservoir, would be quick to market products I would think. The doc race coolant tank right up above the radiator would be another place to have etched or engraved or powder coated.

Or make a sheet metal to cover the DME compartment and brake reservoir compartment, yes I know we have plastic panels. Offer all of them clear or painted body color. Just some ideas. But really the best solution is to close the hood and #walkaway ;)

Glad to see you continue to bring products to the market. I like your Tmap/BOV part. Simple and smart.
im always open to making stuff lol im in the middle of engineering ati damper for the e36 that wont cost $1100 from vac... doing the same for N54 once that is done. and yea this engine bay needs a lot of love lol i appreciate it
 
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jts1981

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Jan 29, 2018
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I'd like to chime in here. I have the AFE MagnumForce intake for my e89 and this heat shield is very similar.

Some points for improvement on the AFE heatshield would be:
  1. better quality metal, the AFE is paper thin.
  2. There is a gap between the snorkel and the heat shield where a ton of heat rises up from the alternator.
  3. One good point about the AFE is that is a box design with a weather strip that seals against the hood liner. Maybe add something similar?
Good luck!
 
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Omar@VaderSolutions

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Oct 19, 2016
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I'd like to chime in here. I have the AFE MagnumForce intake for my e89 and this heat shield is very similar.

Some points for improvement on the AFE heatshield would be:
  1. better quality metal, the AFE is paper thin.
  2. There is a gap between the snorkel and the heat shield where a ton of heat rises up from the alternator.
  3. One good point about the AFE is that is a box design with a weather strip that seals against the hood liner. Maybe add something similar?
Good luck!
I really appreciate the 3 observations you have made, if i can somehow combine everyones input into one shield/cover i think I will hit the bulls-eye on the design
 
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jts1981

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Jan 29, 2018
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20191213_110226.jpg
here is a close up pic so you can see the gap. I'm not running the snorkel any more so we pushed the arm out of the way.