Corvette Plenum Cover Installation
A quick and easy underhood beautification project for your late-model Corvette

story and photography by Tom Shaw

Great as it is, the Corvette still has room for improvement, at least in terms of accessorizing. Cost efficiencies, assembly line simplicity, weight reduction efforts, and easy service access all help to leave a few opportunities to dress things up. And that’s just what we’re going to do.  Dewey Hamblin, a local friend and new Corvette owner, volunteered his ’08 coupe for an on-going project car, and with a C6 Corvette Plenum Cover in hand, Project Corvette was off and running.

Parts list includes: Stainless Steel Plenum Cover, Two Strips of Velcro Tape, Adhesive Promoter

As you’ll see, the process is simple and can be accomplished in 30 minutes or so. The end result is an engine compartment that benefits from some additional brightwork. This is purely cosmetic and does not affect the engine performance or runability.

	1. Start with a clean, degreased and dry engine. If silicone cleaners or treatments have been used on the fuel rail covers, they’ll need some deeper cleaning. Specific instructions are provided for that. Soap and water is a good start for removing normal dirt and grime.
	2. A bucket full of soap and water is hard to beat for basic cleaning. We’ve also got a clean towel and a bottle of Isopropyl rubbing alcohol to remove all oils, grime and other slimy stuff that would interfere with the Velcro’s adhesive.
	3. Then, with a clean cloth, clean the areas where the plenum cover will attach using household isopropyl alcohol. Be sure to let it dry completely.
	4. On the underside of the cover are two strips of Velcro, one per side. Remove the strip with the hooks and set it aside, but don’t pull off the adhesive backing just yet.
	5. Back on the engine, place the plenum cover exactly where it will sit, centered from side to side and flush to the rear of the engine. Mark the edges with a length of tape on each side, then pull the pull the plenum cover back off and set it aside.
	6. Remove the adhesive backing on the hook strips and apply the Velcro hook strip just inside of the marker tape. Go back over the Velcro strip and press it down to the plastic fuel rail cover to make sure it’s sticking completely.
	7. Now remove the marker tape and any adhesive residue that may have been leftover. Now you’re ready for the payoff — remove the protective cover on the plenum cover and press it into place. Hey! Looking good!

SIDEBAR 1
Maintenance Tips
Don’t scrub of wipe the metal surface. It’s polished 304 stainless steel, and “…any foreign particle such as sand, grime and dirt can and WILL scratch the polished surface.” Clean with compressed air, or lightly with a California-type duster. A lint-free paper towel (they recommend Bounty brand) can be used provided its discarded after each swipe. Meguiar’s Quik Wax applied lightly will help protect the plenum cover once it’s clean. Full instructions are provided in the kit.

SOURCE:
AMERICAN CAR CRAFT - www.americancarcraft.com- (727) 861-1500