Billet Oil Fill Caps - Need your opinions

[CNCguy]

I made some billet oil caps a couple weeks ago and was considering making some more if there is a demand for them and it is economical to make them. They are made from 6061 aluminum and polished to a chome looking finish.



The first batch that I made were for 3100/3400 engines but if there is enough interest I am going to make some for the 3.1 & 3.4 engines. The first batch were mostly plain without engraving but I was considering doing some that say 3.1 - 3.4 - 3100 - 3400 - OIL - 60V6.COM.

I would like to hear some input on what everyone thinks of them, what people prefer for engraving and what a fair price would be.

[PlatinumZ34]

RE: Billet Oil Fill Caps - Need your opinions

i like them, some unrealistic how ever sweet engravings would be like GT (grand am's), Ram-Air, Z34, Z24, GTP, OIL, Coolant, GAS, Urine, Shiny, a chevy logo or Chevy...

fair price... im not sure, fairly/really cheap.

[bszopi]

RE: Billet Oil Fill Caps - Need your opinions

A Chevy logo would be a good idea.

As far as price goes, I know its not going to be cheap. I've priced 6061 recently and was not impressed by the price of it.

Something that might make it more... what's the word... tempting? No, but anyway, do you have the ability to anodize stuff? Cause I bet people would like it even more if they could get them in colors.

[Invasion1]

RE: Billet Oil Fill Caps - Need your opinions

Im intrested in one for a 3.1 MPFI

price pending

[GPRacer]

Re: RE: Billet Oil Fill Caps - Need your opinions

but anyway, do you have the ability to anodize stuff? Cause I bet people would like it even more if they could get them in colors.

agreed

Im intrested in one for a 3.1 MPFI

price pending

Also agreed.

I'd like one for my 3.1MPFI, but i'm not quite sure what kinda emblem/writing i would want in it...hmmm...maybe a pontiac logo or something...i'd want something different, but wouldn't want it to be too hard to do

[94CuttySL]

Price pending as well, one for my 3100 sounds good. Don't need any engraving.

[White93z34]

price pending a bowtie would be cool

[CNCguy]

Re: RE: Billet Oil Fill Caps - Need your opinions

A Chevy logo would be a good idea.

As far as price goes, I know its not going to be cheap. I've priced 6061 recently and was not impressed by the price of it.

Something that might make it more... what's the word... tempting? No, but anyway, do you have the ability to anodize stuff? Cause I bet people would like it even more if they could get them in colors.

I had considered different GM logos but did not know about copyright issues. Maybe it isnt an issue.

All material prices have gone up in the couple years due to Chinas high demand for metals. I made the first ten caps from some stock I had laying around the shop.

I could have the anodizing done but it would be expensive unless alot of people wanted it. Like anything else, the price goes down as quanity goes up. The minimum charge for anodizing is $60, so for ten parts it would add about $6 per cap. I am estimating these costs based on other jobs that we have anodized, of course they are all clear anodize so the prices may not be relative.

How about preference between flat top and the recessed? I prefer the recessed ones myself but want to hear other comments.

As of right now I think it would take about $35 per unengraved cap just to break even after material, machining and polishing costs.

Marc

[bszopi]

RE: Re: RE: Billet Oil Fill Caps - Need your opinions

That's around what I was figuring. I was a little lower at ~$30.

I like the recessed as well. You mentioned polishing. What about a brushed aluminum look instead? Would it reduce the price any? As nice as the polished ones are, I think a brushed one might go better with the engine. That is, unless someone has taken the time to polish their valve covers and plenum.

Just shooting out some other ideas here...

[RednBlack]

Are these just covers?

[SappySE107]

RE: Re: RE: Billet Oil Fill Caps - Need your opinions

I have one of these caps at the shop and its beautiful. Its the fully polished one and I think it would be real nice on a motor that is all polished up to match. I am not sure on copyrights for the logos and GM, but 3100, 3400, and anything 60V6 is fine. I would assume we would need to get a quantity of each type though to make it worthwhile on pricing.

[CNCguy]

RE: Billet Oil Fill Caps - Need your opinions

I like the recessed as well. You mentioned polishing. What about a brushed aluminum look instead? Would it reduce the price any? As nice as the polished ones are, I think a brushed one might go better with the engine. That is, unless someone has taken the time to polish their valve covers and plenum.

Oh yeah it would reduce the price. The polished looks really nice but do tend to make the stock valve cover look kinda crappy. But the polished ones would look fantastic on a cover that is polished, painted or powder coated. Sometime in the future I plan to make a set of billet valve covers, but in the meantime, I am just going to use a set of covers that have been smoothed out and glass beaded. One thing at a time tho.

Are these just covers?

Hey Dennis... Nahh not covers... made from solid bar stock. If you get out sometime, stop in and I will show you what they look like. I think you will be impressed. Maybe I could get some measurements off your cap if you dont mind.

[geoffinbc]

How do they seal?

[CNCguy]

How do they seal?

They use an o-ring just like the factory caps do. Matter of fact I just reused the one from my old cap on the new one.

[Mattious]

Those Look Nice I wouldn't mind having one for my lumina.