i dont know how to exactly go about cleaning my engine without damaging anything. so far im thinking about covering the air filter, buschur cop box and the fuse distribution box under it, and maybe the fuse box if needed. i dont know any other percautions i need to take which is why i need everyone's help. once everything is covered then i was planning on spraying a degreaser all over the engine and waiting a few minutes then use a garden hose and with a light spray, hose everything off. i definitely need your help to make sure i do it as safe as possible.

finally, i have a couple of engine dress up items so far (buschur spark plug cover, apr carbon cam cover, buschur polished heat shield, ralliart radiator cap, and rexpeed carbon fuse box covers which is not installed yet). i really want to give my engine the WOW factor and make it look very clean. please help me by providing your suggestions. thanks!

here is what my engine looks like now,

 

Well this might be a little different for an Evo, but I think as long as you cover up any exposed filters you should be fine and it should be the same.

Alright here goes the process:
-Go to Autozone, buy this stuff called Foaming Gunk Engine Cleaner (I prefer the foaming kind; it makes it easier to see where you have sprayed it.) You will need one can. Also, buy a can of this stuff called CD2. It's usually next to the Gunk Engine Cleaner, in a silver can.
-Go to your local coin-op carwash and park your car where you have access to a pressure washer. (it's best to do this in the morning, when your car isn't too hot.)
-Check your spark plug wires, make sure they're sealing well, so that water has less of a chance at getting in your cylinders (just press down on the spark plug wire on the cylinders..) Also, you can cover up your battery or whatever other precautions you'd like to take. I just made sure the spark plug wires were on good so no water would get in the cylinders.
-Spray the foaming gunk all over the engine bay. Make sure you get everything; it usually takes the whole can. I mean spray everything! (obviously be a little cautious, you dont want to SOAK electronics, but they will be fine. Just spray evenly and get everything good. Don't be scared, it's highly unlikely that anything will happen.)
-Let the Gunk Foaming stuff sit for about 5 minutes.
-Take the pressure washer, and spray thoroughly. There will probably be a lot of random dirt and stuff, feel free to use the full power of the pressure washer to get it off. (it shouldn't do any damage to anything. just use some common sense and be careful around the electronics. don't drown them with water obviously, just get them as wet as you need to to ensure it's cleaned well.)
-Once you get everything clean, triple check to make sure, then drive home and let it dry.
-After it's dried, get your can of CD2 and follow the directions exactly on the can. Done!!!

Tips: The Gunk Foaming Engine Cleaner is in a blue and orange can, and the cd2 is silver and black (mostly silver). They're next to each other usually, and from what I've seen, can only be found at Autozone. Also, the can of CD2 says not to wipe the surfaces off. Some surfaces had dots of CD2 and were more shiny than I wanted them to be, so I wiped most of the plastic things down with a rag. It's all personal preference, but nothing bad will happen if you wipe the CD2 off, haha.

Disclaimer: Although this worked for my friends and I, I make no guarantees and take no responsibility if something bad happens. If you're in the South side of Houston, I'd be more than willing to show you how to do this if you're a little nervous or whatever, as long as you pay for supplies.

 

Powder coat eveyrthing metal

 

bump!

 

Thank you for the advice. I popped the hood of my car a few days ago and was embarrased at how dirty it is under there, this has motivated me to get it clean.