I keep seeing all these cool project threads, so I figured it was time for me to start creating some, lol. After almost 3 years of being unable to pick up another Plan B billet valve cover (I assume they gave up?), I decided to finally make my own. I have to give credit to Plan B for the inspiration to do this, if they wouldn't have quit making them years ago, I wouldn't have bothered doing it now. There were a few things I wanted to see differently from the original billet valve cover, so I made a list and went to work. We took a brand new OEM Honda ITR valve cover (not that it matters which one we started with, but I didnt have to worry about any possible problems with a random used one that could have been warped or modified), we used my Faro measurement arm to get all of the data points and started modeling it up in Solidworks. Many days (weeks?) later, we came up with the model that we liked, that allowed for future expansion of accessory products as well. Created the tool paths with HSMWorks, and off to the mill we go.. Starting with a 41 pound block of 6061-T6 Aluminum, we went to work cutting it out on my Haas VF4 CNC Mill.. Too many machining hours and toolpath revisions later, we have a part to test fit! Finally nearing the end of the main cover!

 

Awesome!!!!

 

Beaitful

 

Looks nice! How much does it weigh?

 

Nice, but what about the baffling underneath?

 

Very nice!

What toolholders and vices are those?

 

needs a billet spark plug cover so you can have billet on your billet.


also billet oil cap. max billet.

 

It's currently right at 5 lbs with a little more machining to go, so I'll estimate it at 4.8 pounds once completed. The toolholder in the picture is a Erickson milling chuck (less runout than a standard end mill holder), Chick 5QL vises. Billet accessories (shoes and purses) are up next. The valve cover is about a 1/2" shorter than OEM, and since there are no ports pictured in this one, baffling isn't exactly needed. I have a few tricks for the optional breather ports that will come later. I need to work on my speeds and feeds, and put a big rougher in the tool list, this job takes WAY too many hours with using a 1/2" end mill to do 90% of the material removal, haha.

Thanks for the questions, I was hoping for more criticism, this is Honda-Tech after all. lol

 

Well if you want criticism it's way too shiney! I mean didn't polished shiney stuff go out of style when limp bizkit was cool? I hope you plan to plasti dip it!

Just kidding that vc is so tight!!!

 

Please me with a quote for a polished one with a .050 relief on the top so I can do a carbon insert.

Serious that's too fancy!

 

Very nice work man!!

 

LOL, thats a 4" Diamond tipped cutter for you! Its definately not polished, so it could have a lot more shine if someone wanted to rub it with their special sauce, but it sure won't be me doing it!

 

A .050" relief where exactly? If you made it fit the existing piece, you'd have a much larger customer base!

 

Basically 1/4 off the edge machine in and rout out the flat portion of the top. Fill with with this fabric and a matching wire cover! Would be so amazing!

Relief would kinda be a side ways U shape. Does that make sense?

 

This would just be for me! I want it!

 

It makes sense, partially, but I think I'd have to let you do that on your own since the machine they are on is tied up doing production work, lol.

 

So is that a one off piece?

 

Omg I feel stupid I just found your website! I have some side work coming in do you guys have any in stock or are they made per order?

 

Locash always putting in work! Looks great!

 

Building up the stock right now, have to finish all of the pre-orders first, they keep coming in every day, lol.

 

Ok well I will be ordering one soon.

 

Only one?

 

Will you be making any for H22 later? Or future plans for other engines?

 

I have plans for a low profile H22 version, as well as K-Series, but really need to assess the market and see if they are worth doing. The K-Series has a larger following, but that is a BIG valve cover that may not be cost effective to make.

 

Hmmm, very interesting. Wonder how much difference it would make for clearance on an H2B project. Not sure if a lot of people would jump on it or not. Seems difficult to get group buys or serious people involved in this stuff.