carl3989

Remember Chevrolet's W motors? You know those beautiful 348 and 409s, how about that Mercury Marine OHC V8 in the limited production C4? Then there was the Mopar Hemi (The real one with the spark plugs in the valve covers). Gosh they were all things of beauty that would feel at home in MOMA. V8s are as American as apple pie and when done right are worthy of being seen. However the trend is now to hide them. Just like Adam and Eve had to cover them selves ashamed of their nakedness, V8s are now covered in plastic never to be seen. I for one will not abide, therefor:

Kent1999

100% agree. I hate that GM covers every engine with tupperware.

This is one area that Ford has it right -- have you seen the coyote and DOHC Mustang V8's? Beautiful, with their mechanical parts exposed.

GM's LS2/3/6/7? Be sure you burp that Valve Cover lid to keep the 'freshness' in... LOL

05 Wreck

Late 80's early 90's, everything had to look European. BMW, Mercedes, etc. all started covering the motors

jrose7004

I guess that they figure that they're easier to clean that way.

05 Wreck

Also, Ford's coil on plug design with their OHC engines allows them to design some good looking valve covers!

1rusty1

It's a good thing or how else could you make it your own?

Guard Dad

In my opinion the engine compartment became cluttered as a result emissions controls and demand for more safety and comfort accessories. My 65 Mustang was the ultimate in simplicity, only had a generator.

A C6 has AC, power steering, eight ignition coils, numerous emissions cables and tubes, anti lock brake controller, power brake booster, clutch master cylinder, plus fuel injection piping and 8 injectors and related wiring harness. And that's just the obvious stuff. If you pop the hood on a typical Japanese sedan it's just a mass of wires and tubes, no comparison to a Vette which actually looks a lot less cluttered than most. One of the nicest cars was the original E Type Jag, lift that huge "bonnet" and you see a georgous twin cam six as well as the entire front suspension and sub frame, it doesn't get much better.

For contemporary cars, Ferrari may be the best when it comes to showcasing the engine room but I'm sure you pay for that simplicity.

Most modern twin cam engines can hide the coils (and eliminate the plug wires) in the cam covers. So they have a bit of an advantage over an OHV engine when it comes to being tidy.

corvette312

I have to remember that-"Tupperware cover" thats funny !!!

BlindSpot

I'm with you. My LS3 covers have been sitting on a shelf since the day after I bought the car; along with the engine cover to my wife's XJR.

buckmeister2

Since America is obsessed with cleaning everything, they decided to cover up those parts that aren't supposed to get wet!!!! Now, we can clean to our heart's content, and not drown out electrical currents, knock off hoses, soak paper filters, etc.

And, without doubt, if they make it a little harder to get to everything, fewer people will do their own minor maintenance...

Guard Dad

The LS 3 covers also have sound absorbent material on the underside.

airmed2

I prefer to get my thrills behind the wheel while driving; never gave the look of the engine a second thought.

dmk0210

That looks great carl3989! I need to take the covers off mine.

Huskerman

....run naked.......

irok

mercury marine never designed or manufactured the ohc v8 in the C4 ZR1!!!!!!They were a contractor that assembled that Chevrolet engine for GM.

carl3989

According to Car&Driver, Mercury Marine's involvement with the C4 ZR1 was quite a lot: http://www.caranddriver.com/features...erplant-page-2

AORoads

They aren't the only ones. Every manufacturer is so ashamed of the V8 that it's going away---along with V6s, too. Practically every mid-size that used to have a V6 no longer has one, Honda being one of the notable holdouts, for now. Betw. hybrids, turbo, supercharging, and (somewhat) improved four-cylinder engines, the V8, covered or not, is going away. Enjoy it while we can!

mcandrew67

I bared my Cars soul years ago

Bruze

When I saw the first C6 motor I was amazed. I didn't recognize hardly anything under the hood, nor did my (now late) car buddy. The last Corvette engine I saw was the 350 in my '72 Vette.

Here is a good ol' 327 in my '68 Camaro:

unclecookie

Though not exactly simple, my old Galaxie was uncluttered.