Decorative engine plastic
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Decorative engine plastic
Decided to see what the engine looked like without all the plastic. The parts with the Corvette on it just pop off exposing the black plastic the covers the coil packs. The come off with four star headed screws per cover. You have to remove a couple of hoses to get the off. The are quick release so it is something of an I.Q. test to get them off.
Hardest is the cover on the airbox/plenum. Four special bolts that the other covers pop into but under the plastic is an insulator. Since the engine is install from the bottom during the build that insulator won't come out in one piece because it is curved and under the lip of the body. In hindsight it would probably just be easier to cut it along the rear edge of the engine compartment lip.
The plenum cover also has hold downs for the wiring bundle that runs to the coil packs. These are special zip ties need to be snipped to get the cover off. I used four of the zip ties that have a eye for a bolt under the four special bolts that the Corvette covers pop into.
Bottom line, the engine looks like an engine with the plastic that doesn't seem to do anything is removed. You also lose about 5.5 lbs of weight.
Hardest is the cover on the airbox/plenum. Four special bolts that the other covers pop into but under the plastic is an insulator. Since the engine is install from the bottom during the build that insulator won't come out in one piece because it is curved and under the lip of the body. In hindsight it would probably just be easier to cut it along the rear edge of the engine compartment lip.
The plenum cover also has hold downs for the wiring bundle that runs to the coil packs. These are special zip ties need to be snipped to get the cover off. I used four of the zip ties that have a eye for a bolt under the four special bolts that the Corvette covers pop into.
Bottom line, the engine looks like an engine with the plastic that doesn't seem to do anything is removed. You also lose about 5.5 lbs of weight.
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Melting Slicks
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From: Minnetrista Minnesota
In my quest to reduce IAT's, I ended up ditching the plenum cover and blanket. However, you can still use the four bolts that allows you to maintain the coil covers. Here is what the factory intake looks like retaining the coil covers.
Last edited by dovervold; Aug 22, 2016 at 09:11 AM.
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From: Fuquay-Varina
Any noticeable returns in doing this? I've been thinking about doing the same thing since I live in FL and the temps get up there pretty quickly.
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
Last edited by Steve Garrett; Sep 11, 2016 at 11:17 AM. Reason: No need to re-quote the previous post, especially if you're the next person posting.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Minnetrista Minnesota
Not sure that just removing the plenum and blanket is going to make any noticable difference. Here is what I ended up doing that is working very well: 170 T-stat (summit racing), removed rear hood weatherstrip, removed plenum and blanket, coated headers, insulated lower radiator hose, lava wrapped the entire bottom of the AFE cold air intake.
Of course my car is modded and tuned so no warranty on the motor. But dang does it run, and sounds bad axx doing it. If you are happy with stock performance than probably better to keep it stock. If you want to transform your experience, for about $4,000 you can do a bolt on package with about 525 HP (at the crank)...
Of course my car is modded and tuned so no warranty on the motor. But dang does it run, and sounds bad axx doing it. If you are happy with stock performance than probably better to keep it stock. If you want to transform your experience, for about $4,000 you can do a bolt on package with about 525 HP (at the crank)...
Last edited by Steve Garrett; Sep 11, 2016 at 11:18 AM.
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From: Fuquay-Varina
Thanks! I've only had the car for three weeks so I'm still plotting out the mods. Modded the cr@p out of my last few cars, so this one is going to end up the same sooner or later.
Not sure that just removing the plenum and blanket is going to make any noticable difference. Here is what I ended up doing that is working very well: 170 T-stat (summit racing), removed rear hood weatherstrip, removed plenum and blanket, coated headers, insulated lower radiator hose, lava wrapped the entire bottom of the AFE cold air intake.
Of course my car is modded and tuned so no warranty on the motor. But dang does it run, and sounds bad axx doing it. If you are happy with stock performance than probably better to keep it stock. If you want to transform your experience, for about $4,000 you can do a bolt on package with about 525 HP (at the crank)...
Of course my car is modded and tuned so no warranty on the motor. But dang does it run, and sounds bad axx doing it. If you are happy with stock performance than probably better to keep it stock. If you want to transform your experience, for about $4,000 you can do a bolt on package with about 525 HP (at the crank)...
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Actually looks pretty good with some of the engine covers off.
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What a kawinkydink....my wires keep popping off so as of today I wanted to leave the plastic off. I like the way it looks but I did it for ease of access.