StratfordShark

I started my intake refresh today and so removed the cross brace at front of engine compartment.

Realised how unsightly it looked - it's half silver and half black as a lot of the black paint has flaked off!

I've seen a cross brace on another 928 which was all silver. If I wanted this effect what's the best way of removing the remaining paint so that the bare metal still looks shiny afterwards?

If I went the other way and repainted it black, is there any special paint to use because of the heat in the compartment, or because of the material (it's light as a feather so presumably aluminium?).

Thanks for your advice. If the cross brace ends up looking nice I may be on slippery slope to powder coating intake, valve covers...

Chuck Z

I prefer the painted look. I painted one red and moved it between several 928s over the years but recently sold it with my GTS. You'll want to clean it up good (mine was media blasted) and use a self etching primer. Mine was not painted with high temp paint. and lasted for 10+ years and looked great. Good luck.

Shark Attack

I painted mine with rustolium high gloss

Fabio421

I polished mine. Its easy to do. It can be done in an hour or so.

https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...olished+my+rod

Garth S

However you do it, remember not to lift or jack the car until the brace is bolted back in.

EDIT: WSM 10-2 ..... " car must stand on its wheels when cross brace is removed or installed"

So poor choice of words on my part : should have said 'when' vs 'until' - car suspension must be loaded when removing or attaching the brace, but once it is off, anything goes .... like engine removal.

blitz928

I'm going for the painted look myself, car was in the shop for the timing belt, Now I'm redoing the cam covers in red, intake in silver while it's there. and going red on the crossbrace when I get it back.

Glenn M

Polished mine, looks nice, may go red.

Glenn

largecar379

I prefer my carbon fiber unit----

--Russ

StratfordShark

Thanks for all the ideas/info.

While I'm here does anyone know the correct torque for the crossbrace? Can't seem to find it anywhere in the wsm.

linderpat

Huh? I know you must remove it before jacking the car and putting it on jack stands, but I never heard that the car can't/shouldn't be lifted without the brace being on? Anyone? I'm soon doing an intake R&R and the car will be up, without the brace...

Tampa 928s

I polished mine!


http://picasaweb.google.com/tampapix...97069246929906


http://picasaweb.google.com/tampapix...97069246929906



http://picasaweb.google.com/tampapix...97112196602898

Chuck Z

Really tight? I have removed mine several times and never torqued the allen nuts when reinstalling it.

I have heard the car should not be moved or lifted with it off but I don't know the reasoning for that. Always played it safe and if I had to move/lift the car I would put one back on.....

Rob Edwards

I have read somewhere on this forum that jacking/moving the car up and down with the cross brace off is a recipe for cracking the windshield. I've had my brace off several times but only after the car's up on stands. Dunno about the correct torque, I'd like to know too.

jpitman2

Satin black paint here.
JP 83 Euro S AT 51k

Jim M.

I polished mine.

Jim Mayzurk
93 GTS 5-spd