Yes, replace it will black. If you want some contrast use orange zip ties on the black loom.

Mike does some friggin' outrageous paint work. Sometimes when we're bored we'll cruise out to his shop just to see if we can eyeball some of the cars. A friend of mine had his Stratocaster painted by Mike. The detail and life-like appearance of the flames is well above and beyond anything I have ever seen.

 

I prefer black and I was never a fan of colored wires/looms under the hood. I'm a purest and I like the engine compartment stock looking.

 

Hello Mel, very sweet engine bay. I took a few minutes to look at what you have done and one can see there are some extra efforts being applied. It's your personal statement after all.
I'm thinking if I had a business and you were going to pay me do something, anything to give your engine bay a make over, how would I do it, especially on one as far along as yours. Knowing you dropped $500 on the cover it needs to be the focal point when the hood is up, as it is right now it it blends in to the background so to speak. I mean it's there but it's not there. I would want to introduce more of the braided stainless lines into the area. Delete limited orange looms based on the sizes of braided stainless sheathing available to you. Some orange themed looms can remain pulling the outside theme in. But to me more chrome and not necessarily black would really make your bay more refined..... So if I had to do something to wow you when you came to pick up your car from me, I would have the cover making a statement and more bling SS sheathing, and a touch of orange.

 

I also agree with this. I think the black loom will allow your custom painted manifold to stand out much better. The manifold is your focal point in the engine bay and the orange loom kind of overpowers it.

 

My Wife LadyT's '07 Solstice GXP:





I've had the same thoughts, but stock is blah. She likes the bling. What do YOU like? THAT'S what's important!

 

The Orange is "Overpowering".
There's so much of it that it detracts the viewer from seeing the other nice details you have to see under the hood.
I agree with the others who commented about the orange being over-the-top.
Since you have spent ample time and money customizing and prettying-up the engine compartment; lose that flamboyant orange and find something less ostentatious!

 

I wouldn't touch a thing! The orange looming is awesome! I think everything pops and it looks like you have been more thorough without the black looming. Mels SS, yours is one of the best engine bays ever!

 

Thanks guys for all the complements and all your input.

 

That Solstice bay is no slouch either - outstanding! The red looming looks good and not too blingy at all. If it was red chrome looming that would be too blingy. That car looks great!

 

I read this thread and have to say, even though I am one that thinks there is a bit much of the orange taking away from the UIM, you have a very well done and custom engine compartment.

The sad part of asking for opinions is that EVERYONE has one. Lord knows I can be very indecisive about things I do sometimes. At the end of the day YOU have to be happy with it. If you're not, then something needs to change. And if you are, leave it, don't get bugged by what others say.