[patsgarageonline]

I am in the middle of a project to display the mid-engine. I obtained a salvage metal engine cover, as well as a salvage outer cover, with the plan to cut holes in them so you can see the engine. I recently completed modifying the metal engine cover with a frame, sealant and laminated glass (like a windshield) and took the car out for a test drive. Here's what that mid-engine looks and sounds like when driving around primarily in Sport Mode. Half-way through the video, I switched to manual shift and did a few pulls.

[Mr. Body Massage]

That's awesome! Do you have more pictures of the glass cover itself? I think this would be a great idea if we can do some engine dress-up. One easy way would be a billet BMW oil cap, the likes of which are all over Ebay. Another would be a B38 engine cover from another BMW that uses this engine. The covers look much better and are dressed up more. Try BMW part number 8602967.

[JasH]

Yes, if doing this, the engine needs to be made a *lot* prettier.

[patsgarageonline]

Originally Posted by Mr. Body Massage

That's awesome! Do you have more pictures of the glass cover itself? I think this would be a great idea if we can do some engine dress-up. One easy way would be a billet BMW oil cap, the likes of which are all over Ebay. Another would be a B38 engine cover from another BMW that uses this engine. The covers look much better and are dressed up more. Try BMW part number 8602967.

Originally Posted by JasH

Yes, if doing this, the engine needs to be made a *lot* prettier.

Thanks. I found a salvage Mini Cooper B38 engine cover but it was too high and just wouldn't fit in that small space, so I returned it. I think the BMW one is going to have the same problem. I just finished carbon fiber skinning the stock acoustic cover for top of the engine, oil cap and the outer cover. I cut a hole in the middle of the outer cover to give a view of the glass. I also just found a salvage i8 air cleaner cover and will carbon skin that as well. All work done is with real carbon fiber sheet and polyester resin. Shots are right after initial wet-out. I need to sand, recoat, etc. This is the first time I'm doing any of this, so it's taking a lot of time to learn as I go. I also have an i3 trunk emblem that I'm going to mount to the acoustic engine cover.









All parts are either new or salvage, so I can retain all my original equipment and switch between stock and this setup at any time.

I have tons of pics of this project on my instagram: i8.pat

https://www.instagram.com/i8.pat/

[evanevery]

Why would anyone want to see the 3-cyl engine in the i8? Not that this isn't an interesting project...but what you need is a photo of a big fire-breathing V12 under that glass...

[patsgarageonline]

Originally Posted by evanevery

Why would anyone want to see the 3-cyl engine in the i8? Not that this isn't an interesting project...but what you need is a photo of a big fire-breathing V12 under that glass...

I agree. Most of the car enthusiasts at Cars and Coffee events ask tons of questions and want to see things, so I've unbuttoned the cover a few times and people say, oh that's ugly. Yep! Looks like the top of the engine has a black eye and it's frowning. Most ugly engine cover in the world. That got me thinking, how could I modify it to actually look appealing, and the ball started rolling down hill after that.