Engine cover = giant heat trap? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

rodimus prime · 07-23-2009, 11:37 AM

I parked my car at about 4:30pm yesterday after a few minute trip home from work. No wot or beating on the car. I came out at about 8:30ish just to mess around. I decided to check out the engine cover and what not. Well I noticed that the motor was still extreamly hot for sitting for about 4 hours. I dont remember it taking this long for my 4th gen to cool down to a reasonable temp.

If I had a laser temp gun I would of gotten some temps of the top of the cover and under the cover plus the intake manifold weight. The engine cover even has an insulator pad on the underside.

Anyone think that a CAI would benifit better if the manifold wasnt covered?

2010SLVRBULIT · 07-23-2009, 11:45 AM

Maybe the cover should be seasonal?..

Crowley · 07-23-2009, 11:50 AM

Not sure, but I removed my cover the 1st day I had the car

Supermans · 07-23-2009, 11:52 AM

The engine cover can be easily removed, I keep it on because it does look a lot better than the mess of wires underneath..

coolman · 07-23-2009, 11:52 AM

Is there any real reason for the cover other than to dress up the engine bay?

Z_Rocks · 07-23-2009, 11:55 AM

Especially if you park your car in the garage and close the door, where there is no air ventilation or cool air to cool the engine. I've seen people having electrical problems when the car sits in the garage very hot and the wires begin to crack.

If it's parked outside it gets fresh air and breeze, but for in garage, I'd open the hood to let the heat out.

rodimus prime · 07-23-2009, 11:57 AM

Think about like this. Your spending up to $500 for a cai. Some of them grab air from the engine bay, others do not. They both as of right now make about the same amount of power on a dyno. Then look at the big baffles on the stock intake. The only thing all the aftermarket intakes have in common is the baffles are removed, therefore making a continuious smooth airflow path to the TB. Then once the air hits the manifold (that is hot from engine operation alone) it is again being heated probably more so than by not having a cai in the first place. Because the air now travels down individual runners instead of one big opening.....meaning easier to soak up any heat the manifold has built. Think of it like a heat sink to dissapate heat. So to make matters worse we trap the heat to the manifold instead of having cool air to help keep intake temps down.

So I guess what Im getting at here is that I think the CAI only real benifit is the removal of the baffles. Hence the reason the OTR intakes....and under hood intakes....and underhood intakes with a separation plate are all making the same power. That air is just being instantly heated by the manifold.

Im just speculating here, but When I find my temp gun I will take some samples of intake temps with the cover off and on.

PAUL SS · 07-23-2009, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supermans

The engine cover can be easily removed, I keep it on because it does look a lot better than the mess of wires underneath..

The Corvette LS3 does not have that mess of wires, why does the Camaro?

Supermans · 07-23-2009, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul SS

The Corvette LS3 does not have that mess of wires, why does the Camaro?

The Vette also has an engine cover.

Crowley · 07-23-2009, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supermans

The engine cover can be easily removed, I keep it on because it does look a lot better than the mess of wires underneath..

That mess of wires looks a whole lot better than the ugly engine cover

Crowley

rodimus prime · 07-23-2009, 12:04 PM

Yeah, but it doesnt cover the intake. It lets it breath.

Crowley · 07-23-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodimus prime

Yeah, but it doesnt cover the intake. It lets it breath.

I believe there are 2 covers on the intake .. the big one and then the small black one which is underneath. Does the corvette not have the small black one?

I believe the black "intake part" you see is also a cover .. right?

Crowley

Supermans · 07-23-2009, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crowley

That mess of wires looks a whole lot better than the ugly engine cover

Crowley

I know that to enthusiasts the engine cover doesn't look all that good. However in comparison to this Chevy 427

Which does not need an engine cover but the wires are placed in an even manner looks a whole lot better.. Most people I show the engine to have no idea that there is an engine cover there but are more impressed by the large engine cover than when I show people with it off..

Cam10RS · 07-23-2009, 12:09 PM

If the cover has no heat vents for air flow, this would tell me that the wiring will dry and crack at a faster rate, and this would cause the engine to run at a higher temp. and cause a combustion problem later on with carbon build up.

Tell me what u think

Cover looks great on the engine, I will use it only for show.

07-23-2009, 11:37 AM	#1
rodimus prime Account Suspended Drives: Cargo van. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Metal Metal Land Posts: 1,247	Engine cover = giant heat trap? I parked my car at about 4:30pm yesterday after a few minute trip home from work. No wot or beating on the car. I came out at about 8:30ish just to mess around. I decided to check out the engine cover and what not. Well I noticed that the motor was still extreamly hot for sitting for about 4 hours. I dont remember it taking this long for my 4th gen to cool down to a reasonable temp. If I had a laser temp gun I would of gotten some temps of the top of the cover and under the cover plus the intake manifold weight. The engine cover even has an insulator pad on the underside. Anyone think that a CAI would benifit better if the manifold wasnt covered?

07-23-2009, 11:50 AM	#3
Crowley Okie doke Drives: 2012 GT500 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: McKinney Texas Posts: 3,568 View My Garage	Not sure, but I removed my cover the 1st day I had the car __________________

07-23-2009, 11:52 AM	#4
Supermans Camaro & Stang Enthusiast Drives: 2011 Mustang 5.0 in Kona Blue Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 4,752 View My Garage	The engine cover can be easily removed, I keep it on because it does look a lot better than the mess of wires underneath.. __________________ Bought my Camaro from Eric Hall(817) 421-7266

07-23-2009, 12:09 PM	#14
Cam10RS Drives: Camaro 2LT RS Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: PA- Posts: 213	Engine heat If the cover has no heat vents for air flow, this would tell me that the wiring will dry and crack at a faster rate, and this would cause the engine to run at a higher temp. and cause a combustion problem later on with carbon build up. Tell me what u think Cover looks great on the engine, I will use it only for show. __________________ [SIZE="1"]1100, Preliminary order accepted--3/5/09 2000, Order accepted by GM 3000, Order accepted by production control--8/14/09--TPW(9/14/09 3100, Order available to sequence 3300, Order scheduled for production 3400, Order broadcast-- 09/14/09 3800, Order produced. VIN# 9/22/09 4000, Available to ship 4104, Bailment Invoice 4200, Shipped 4300, Intermediate Delivery 4B00, Bayed 5000, Delivered to the dealer. 9/27/09 6000, Delivered to the customer. 9/29/09

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07-23-2009, 11:45 AM	#2
2010SLVRBULIT Drives: G5(LLT) & C6(LS3) Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: MARS Posts: 7,527 View My Garage	Maybe the cover should be seasonal?..

07-23-2009, 11:52 AM	#5
coolman Guest Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: PA Posts: 4,812	Is there any real reason for the cover other than to dress up the engine bay?

07-23-2009, 11:55 AM	#6
Z_Rocks Drives: everyone crazy... Join Date: May 2009 Location: SW Florida Posts: 2,109	Especially if you park your car in the garage and close the door, where there is no air ventilation or cool air to cool the engine. I've seen people having electrical problems when the car sits in the garage very hot and the wires begin to crack. If it's parked outside it gets fresh air and breeze, but for in garage, I'd open the hood to let the heat out.

07-23-2009, 11:57 AM	#7
rodimus prime Account Suspended Drives: Cargo van. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Metal Metal Land Posts: 1,247	Think about like this. Your spending up to $500 for a cai. Some of them grab air from the engine bay, others do not. They both as of right now make about the same amount of power on a dyno. Then look at the big baffles on the stock intake. The only thing all the aftermarket intakes have in common is the baffles are removed, therefore making a continuious smooth airflow path to the TB. Then once the air hits the manifold (that is hot from engine operation alone) it is again being heated probably more so than by not having a cai in the first place. Because the air now travels down individual runners instead of one big opening.....meaning easier to soak up any heat the manifold has built. Think of it like a heat sink to dissapate heat. So to make matters worse we trap the heat to the manifold instead of having cool air to help keep intake temps down. So I guess what Im getting at here is that I think the CAI only real benifit is the removal of the baffles. Hence the reason the OTR intakes....and under hood intakes....and underhood intakes with a separation plate are all making the same power. That air is just being instantly heated by the manifold. Im just speculating here, but When I find my temp gun I will take some samples of intake temps with the cover off and on.

07-23-2009, 12:04 PM	#11
rodimus prime Account Suspended Drives: Cargo van. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Metal Metal Land Posts: 1,247	Yeah, but it doesnt cover the intake. It lets it breath.