Any disadvantages to removing engine covers?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,626
Likes: 195
From: On the east coast we drive until we die
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 46
From: va
no, the hood liner is there to look pretty
Heres an article about the C6Z06 Test mule.
Notice on page three -no hood liner (and this was during a 24 hour endurance test).
Some people believe the liner has a use in preventing damage to the hood, or that it acts as some safety device. This should put those beliefs to rest.
http://www.corvettels7.com/Summer05Z06Test.pdf
Heres an article about the C6Z06 Test mule.
Notice on page three -no hood liner (and this was during a 24 hour endurance test).
Some people believe the liner has a use in preventing damage to the hood, or that it acts as some safety device. This should put those beliefs to rest.
http://www.corvettels7.com/Summer05Z06Test.pdf
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 567
Likes: 53
From: Sumter SC
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
To each his own. I just don't care for the cluttered look. I'm not saying the technology isn't "trick" but the way it's displayed isn't anything special to me. The valve covers are dull grey and boring looking. Those that have done aftermarket coil relocation kits, valve covers, colored wires/hoses, and other various underhood bling are the obvious exceptions. Stock just looks plain and cluttered to me but I don't like spenidng money on underhood cosmetics since the hood is closed 99% of the time.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,919
Likes: 107
From: God's Country, ID
I've been running no frc's for years.
The one downside I noticed is when pulling the fuel rail/injectors, I notice a lot of crud built-up around the injector o-rings. I'm gonna say it's probably related and would be better protected with the covers on.
The one downside I noticed is when pulling the fuel rail/injectors, I notice a lot of crud built-up around the injector o-rings. I'm gonna say it's probably related and would be better protected with the covers on.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 34
On the other hand, it is also questionable when someone claims, along with photos showing an engine compartment that is clean enough to eat off by not ever having to clean it.
Dirt along with dust will get into every cracks and crevices in an engine compartment, with the covers on, it is simply out of sight and out of mind. If engine seals are not compromised, ambient dust and grit has nothing to adhere to and gummed up.
To clean, simply use compressed air gun, cover nozzle with rag for safety while blasting the compartment when needed. Its also good shop practice to give it a blast of air to clean before removing injectors to prevent dirt entry.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 471
Likes: 29
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Advanced
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 78
Likes: 4
I honestly dont know if that is really going make a noticeable difference in engine temps but you know these LS3 cars run hot...Especially down here in Texas where its 100 damn degrees or above EVERYDAY!! I took mine off on my new C6 with a LSXR block, Trick flow ported and polished heads, a decently sized cam (229/236) and of course FBO, headers, catless collector, X pipe, borla race rear section ID1300 injectors, KW V2 coilovers, and the list can go on and on..I honestly think taking the engine covers off DOES help with the heat the motor soaks up... If you look at the covers themselves, they have a extremely thick padding which just holds in heat from the heads and the valvetrain. I took mine off just now which was about a week or two weeks ago, when I got the vehicle and sure enough, I can tell a little bit of a difference...Atleast on my butt dyno lol.. And im not meaning just in spot on performance, but the cooling of the vehicle does seem to be working....atleast when I even drive it during the day just beacuse again, its just toooo damn hot outside right now down here
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 64
From: Prescott AZ Gilbert AZ
That should be a high pressure area.
If so, then raising the hood and removing the strip will hurt not help by disrupting air flow thru the engine compartment.
If you have a vented hood it will really hurt !!!
If so, then raising the hood and removing the strip will hurt not help by disrupting air flow thru the engine compartment.
If you have a vented hood it will really hurt !!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,708
Likes: 83
From: Arkansas
I read an article (online of course) where a race team/tuner raised the rear of the hood with 2 1/2" locks (to allow better air flow through the engine bay) and gained almost 5 mph on top speed runs at the MILE.
Last edited by Speedforhire; Jul 5, 2016 at 02:25 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 4,474
Likes: 1,404
From: SC
I've seen some perforated stainless steel fuel rail covers that look pretty good, anybody tried them? Covers up the clutter while letting some air through. I also saw someone cut about half the stock covers off.
