[Noir]

Originally Posted by Eagle1oh7

Anybody try running without the hood? Good benefits, super cooling and super weight loss.

d00d
for real though, my carbon good vs my stock Good, 10/10

[scanspeak]

Here's my engine sans cover.

When I removed the cover I found plenty of dust and oil all over the coil packs and wiring. If the job of the cover is to keep the coils etc clean it's not doing a very good job.
And the noise reduction is negligible (for the N52) from inside the cabin so it seems the engine cover is essentially cosmetic.

In my opinion it's a hindrance to being able to monitor the condition of the engine and have easy access. It also will prevent heat escaping from the valve cover, shortening it's life. I'm keeping it off and I'm going to make small cosmetic covers to cover the coil wiring and injector rail.

[nsjames]

I really think that any thoughts of it keeping the valve cover cooler are just wishes.

the valve cover is still going to be sprayed on the inside by 200 degree+ oil.
and be attached to a head that 200 degrees.
and be on top of a giant magnesium block that's 200 degrees.
inside an engine compartment that's going to see 150 degree temps.

really how many degrees can we reasonably expect to shed from the valve cover by removing an air gapped plastic cover from the top?
I'm gonna guess about zilch.

[IllSic_Design]

Idk about non-turbo engines, but the n54 engine covers ARE insulated, they have foam on the underside them.

Like I said I only do it at the track, and its more so the engine/engine bay can breathe / expel some of the heat faster after I get off the track and pop the hood. Might not do THAT much but any little bit helps when its 95*+ out and your next session is in 45 minutes.

[scanspeak]

The non-turbo covers have no foam insulation.

Originally Posted by nsjames

really how many degrees can we reasonably expect to shed from the valve cover by removing an air gapped plastic cover from the top?
I'm gonna guess about zilch.

You're probably right but it cant hurt.

[BudVlad]

Originally Posted by scanspeak

The non-turbo covers have no foam insulation.

Foam insulation on engine cover is probably for noise reduction on DI engines. N53 engine cover has thick foam insulation. I removed the foam and I didn’t notice any noise increase.

[scanspeak]

Gave it a good clean and fitted some conduit over the coil wiring. Also a bit of silicon tape around the injector wiring. Looks a little tidier now. Spraying low pressure water all over it didnt do any harm and I blew it out with compressed air.

[atmosphericM]

Looks clean. I doubt running without the cover would cause any issues. Very common to remove them on lots of cars.

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by scanspeak

Here's my engine sans cover.

When I removed the cover I found plenty of dust and oil all over the coil packs and wiring. If the job of the cover is to keep the coils etc clean it's not doing a very good job.
And the noise reduction is negligible (for the N52) from inside the cabin so it seems the engine cover is essentially cosmetic.

In my opinion it's a hindrance to being able to monitor the condition of the engine and have easy access. It also will prevent heat escaping from the valve cover, shortening it's life. I'm keeping it off and I'm going to make small cosmetic covers to cover the coil wiring and injector rail.

Exactly how mine looks.