Engine Cover Necessary?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,762
Likes: 4
From: Chandler Arizona
Mine came off the minute I got home from the NCM.
The covers are a caricature. They represent what people who don't know anything about engines think engines should look like, put there to impress people who have no business poking around the engine compartment in the first place.
Everybody's doing it these days. Time was, the hood was there to cover the engine. Now you open the hood and are presented with another hood, effectively -- except the second hood looks silly and is much more difficult to open.
The covers are a caricature. They represent what people who don't know anything about engines think engines should look like, put there to impress people who have no business poking around the engine compartment in the first place.
Everybody's doing it these days. Time was, the hood was there to cover the engine. Now you open the hood and are presented with another hood, effectively -- except the second hood looks silly and is much more difficult to open.
As far as temps, yes, your engine will not run that much cooler with them off, but the coils will definitely be cooler with the covers off. The covers insulate the coils and make them run closer to the hotter metal temps of the valve cover rather than the cooler outside air.
Last edited by glennhl; Sep 25, 2007 at 12:48 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 916
Likes: 0
From: Lexington Park MD
AND, there are alternatives...............
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j2...orvette042.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j2...orvette042.jpg
I'm one of those dumb guys who didn't know any better. I was contemplating getting VY ones cause I was going to do a black and yellow theme. However, after reading this, I likely won't.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
I believe they provide some sound deadening for the "sewing machine" sound our pushrod engines make. I know the 08's have a separate intake cover as well for this purpose.
With a G5x3 they don't do much good for the sewing machine sound when the engine is cold. I've also not noticed any difference in temps on drag strip or road course with them on and off.
I decided to add a bit of bling to my car for a $3 can of Krylon red plastic paint, a $30 set of chrome letters and a couple of $5 decals (IIRC). Ultimately I like the way they look, and I've seen no performance detriment so I leave them on.
With a G5x3 they don't do much good for the sewing machine sound when the engine is cold. I've also not noticed any difference in temps on drag strip or road course with them on and off.
I decided to add a bit of bling to my car for a $3 can of Krylon red plastic paint, a $30 set of chrome letters and a couple of $5 decals (IIRC). Ultimately I like the way they look, and I've seen no performance detriment so I leave them on.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 916
Likes: 0
From: Lexington Park MD
The heat doesn't affect the paint on the covers?
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Not at all.
I also use Walmart Duplicolor paint on my calipers and I use my car on the road course, hard enough to boil brake fluid (in my younger days). That paint is tougher than you think it would be. It will chip though on the braided line if you don't use blue tape on the line and cover. I had to touch mine up there.
I also use Walmart Duplicolor paint on my calipers and I use my car on the road course, hard enough to boil brake fluid (in my younger days). That paint is tougher than you think it would be. It will chip though on the braided line if you don't use blue tape on the line and cover. I had to touch mine up there.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 55
From: OIB North Carolina
St. Jude Donor '06
I believe they provide some sound deadening for the "sewing machine" sound our pushrod engines make. I know the 08's have a separate intake cover as well for this purpose.
With a G5x3 they don't do much good for the sewing machine sound when the engine is cold. I've also not noticed any difference in temps on drag strip or road course with them on and off.
I decided to add a bit of bling to my car for a $3 can of Krylon red plastic paint, a $30 set of chrome letters and a couple of $5 decals (IIRC). Ultimately I like the way they look, and I've seen no performance detriment so I leave them on.
With a G5x3 they don't do much good for the sewing machine sound when the engine is cold. I've also not noticed any difference in temps on drag strip or road course with them on and off.
I decided to add a bit of bling to my car for a $3 can of Krylon red plastic paint, a $30 set of chrome letters and a couple of $5 decals (IIRC). Ultimately I like the way they look, and I've seen no performance detriment so I leave them on.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,762
Likes: 4
From: Chandler Arizona
I believe they provide some sound deadening for the "sewing machine" sound our pushrod engines make. I know the 08's have a separate intake cover as well for this purpose.
With a G5x3 they don't do much good for the sewing machine sound when the engine is cold. I've also not noticed any difference in temps on drag strip or road course with them on and off.
I decided to add a bit of bling to my car for a $3 can of Krylon red plastic paint, a $30 set of chrome letters and a couple of $5 decals (IIRC). Ultimately I like the way they look, and I've seen no performance detriment so I leave them on.
With a G5x3 they don't do much good for the sewing machine sound when the engine is cold. I've also not noticed any difference in temps on drag strip or road course with them on and off.
I decided to add a bit of bling to my car for a $3 can of Krylon red plastic paint, a $30 set of chrome letters and a couple of $5 decals (IIRC). Ultimately I like the way they look, and I've seen no performance detriment so I leave them on.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 343
Likes: 1
From: Houston TX
Now if you wish to see what an engine should look like.......see the picture of my big block in my old jet boat. Lots of chrome and no wires (other than the plug wires) and no hoses topside either.
The girls love chrome..........
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,492
Likes: 808
From: West coast CA
If you cover it up, you're not showing off the engine at all. You're showing off a giant, functionless, plastic cover. A child's fantasy of what makes the Corvette go. There could be a Prius engine under there for all anybody knows.
Last edited by torquetube; Sep 26, 2007 at 01:03 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
That is not what I see when I open my hood. I see a color matched set of engine covers and a very neat engine compartment.
Now if you wish to see what an engine should look like.......see the picture of my big block in my old jet boat. Lots of chrome and no wires (other than the plug wires) and no hoses topside either.
The girls love chrome..........
Now if you wish to see what an engine should look like.......see the picture of my big block in my old jet boat. Lots of chrome and no wires (other than the plug wires) and no hoses topside either.
The girls love chrome..........
