Above Left: When Chrysler changed the name of its performance division from Direct Connection to Mopar Performance, many Mopar enthusiasts slipped off the DC valve covers and installed new MP valve covers. The covers came in painted black or polished aluminum. Mancini has a supply of polished aluminum big-block covers. Above Right: The valve covers come with bolt-in oil baffles. The gaskets, grommets, and oil fill caps can be purchased separately from Mancini Racing. 

The correct valve covers can set off an engine while cleverly letting everyone know this is a serious mill. For years, the Mopar hitters at the track and on the street had steel valve covers finished in chrome or anodized blue with the Direct Connection name stamped on them. With the name change of Chrysler’s performance division to Mopar Performance Parts in 1987, the Mopar faithful started fastening a new pair of Mopar Performance (MP) valve covers on their engines.

Above: The genuine Mopar Performance NOS valve covers were cast in California, USA.

The MP valve covers were constructed of aluminum with a finned design and the Chrysler Pentastar emblem and Mopar Performance cast on them. The covers could be purchased in black with cast aluminum exposed on the letters and the tops of the fins, or the covers could be polished aluminum.

While all the rage in the ‘90s, the valve covers popularity eventually peaked, and as time passed, other valve covers found their way onto the engines. Well, they are back, and what was old is new again, well, kind of. Mancini Racing recently found New Old Stock (NOS) Mopar Performance polished cast aluminum valve covers (part no. MOP5007616-CL) for the big-block wedges (361, 383, 400, 413, 426W, and 440) just sitting in a warehouse.

These valve covers are the six-bolt design, and they are sold in pairs with the bolt-in oil baffles. Unfortunately, the valve covers do not come with gaskets, grommets, breathers, or oil fill caps, but Mancini offers all those parts separately. So, if you are interested in picking up a pair and transporting your ride back to the late ‘80s, get in touch with Mancini soon as the supplies are limited, and the demand is high.

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