Some say an engine is an engine is an engine. But we gearheads know different. It’s our baby and we want it to look just right. More importantly, we want our engines to look clean and have character, and there is no better way to do that than dress it out with accessories that perform well and look good.

Chrome and color used to be all the rage, but for many of us, simple is better, and black can be just right. A subtle detail such as black hardware can add that distinct touch. It looks great against the cast aluminum, brushed steel, ceramic-coated metals, or even chromed and colored accessories you may have on the engine in your pickup, 4×4, hot rod or musclecar. To help you get there, Automotive Racing Parts (ARP) offers Accessory Bolt Kits in black oxide.

Using black fasteners, such as ARP‘s black oxide-coated intake bolts, is a nice option for those that want to spice things up underneath their engine hood. However, the black finish doesn’t last forever. It will eventually get a bit rusty if not wiped down with WD-40 on a cloth, or another lightweight lubricant from time to time.

The key to any engine dress-up is contrast. If the entire engine is painted, powder-coated and trimmed in black, then it will look like a black hole in the engine bay. As with any other engine color, it needs a little contrast to make a great statement.