Technical Cutting back the bodywork for aftermarket exhausts...

[JumpJet]

Cinquecentisti,

So I think I've decided I'm going to stick with my D'Angelo Motori exhaust system, but it will necessitate cutting back, or altogether removing, that piece of bodywork on the right side of the engine compartment. Save for a spare engine grounding strap and coil ground (that will be replaced when I switch to a wasted-spark coil on the left), it doesn't appear to serve any purpose.

I want to make the cut/removal as clean and 'factory' looking as possible, so I was looking for a little info from those who have done it. I don't want to just slice it back just enough and have a bare edge or have it cut through the beaded sections. How did you do the cut/removal? Do you have any pictures of that area down to the bare metal (so I can see the original spot weld points)? Any pics, links, or other info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[JumpJet]

Come on! Lemme see those cut down panels! I know they’re out there.

 

[Bleeding Knuckles]

Hi JJ, I attach two pics of my engine bay.

Unfortunately the 'butchery' to the forward end (towards bulkhead) had been carried out prior to my ownership, but it does show how bad a fit can be and the exhaust downpipes have been cut and welded again too!!!!!!! I do use the remaining portion of the plate to mount a remote oil pressure sensor and the cut edge is just outside the bolt holes for the heat protection plate enabling me to mount it. My Stainless exhaust on the other engine sits even closer to the cut edge. I have seen pics of this plate completely omitted which would help with cooling somewhat and providing you don't need the plate for mounting - remove it. I think that the inner wing bodywork has a join at the plate and then the lower inner section adds to it, but I don't have a schematic to consult - sorry. Tom @ the hobbler might be able to help in this respect??????
Ian.

 

[JumpJet]

Thanks!
The best image I've been able to come up with showing the panel itself is from the body parts manual, but it's somewhat limited. Here it is:

 

[JumpJet]

Finally got around to tackling this project and it came out ok. Now to rewire the ignition and get that exhaust bolted up.

 

[JumpJet]

I got carried away and cut out the LH side as well. Really opened up the engine bay and will make future access & maintenance much easier. She’s a fair-weather only kinda car anyways, so I’m not too worried about water or lots of road grime getting up in the engine bay. Even if it does, it’ll be easy to clean now!

 

[the hobbler]

I got carried away and cut out the LH side as well. Really opened up the engine bay and will make future access & maintenance much easier. She’s a fair-weather only kinda car anyways, so I’m not too worried about water or lots of road grime getting up in the engine bay. Even if it does, it’ll be easy to clean now!

You need to be careful Matt as to what you cut away----some of what you cut, particularly by the bulkhead, is probably engine-bay-stiffness-triangulation. It might be worthwhile having a think about putting a (removable?) brace across the corners

 

[JumpJet]

I looked over the body manual pretty well and looked at a lot of the more modded Italian 500s. Nothing structural here. This is a pretty common modification. I’m done hacking at things.