engine cover on or off?

[sako]

Hi guys,

bit of silly question, but after searching through a few threads I notice that some people leave their plastic engine cover off.
what are the pros and cons of this? does it help cool the engine any more? or damage the under bonnet protection etc.....

I have a VY Berlina, and am still learning all the tricks

cheers

[HSV271]

From what I know it allows the heat to escape quicker that being trapped under the shell. Less heat = cooler engine = more power!!! :woohoo:

[BLKVY2CAL]

sako,

been told the same thing ,

its got to do with heat retention,

the heat from the exhaust travels upwards towards the plastic intake manifold causing the intake to stay hot under sub normal driving conditions.

been told to ditch the turtle shell and buy the 2 single covers

not only that but the turtle looks shocking

[sako]

thanks for the replies,

so if I remove the turtle shell will I need to install the 2 single covers straight away?
do they actually do anything or are they just for looks?

[JezzaB]

thanks for the replies,

so if I remove the turtle shell will I need to install the 2 single covers straight away?
do they actually do anything or are they just for looks?

Just looks mate. Mines been "naked" for years.

Jez

[vxclubsport569]

I must admit I really like the black HSV Turtle and wouldn't takwe it off for a couple of kW's, if that... each to their own I guess

[JezzaB]

I must I really like the black HSV Turtle and wouldn't takwe it off for a couple of kW's, if that... each to their own I guess

You can have the 3 engine covers sitting in my garage then ;) We get drunk, put em on our chests and hit each other for fun, thats their only use now days. Or the odd snow taboggin run. Been trying to think of a few more uses for em? Salad Dish? Wake Board?

[vxclubsport569]

You can have the 3 engine covers sitting in my garage then ;) We get drunk, put em on our chests and hit each other for fun, thats their only use now days. Or the odd snow taboggin run. Been trying to think of a few more uses for em? Salad Dish? Wake Board?

:lmao::lmao:

[planetdavo]

Hi guys,

bit of silly question, but after searching through a few threads I notice that some people leave their plastic engine cover off.
what are the pros and cons of this? does it help cool the engine any more? or damage the under bonnet protection etc.....

Holden put it there primarily for both noise suppression and to hide all the ugly mess that makes up the top of a Gen3 engine. There MIGHT be some very minor gains from removing it, re heat retention, but seriously, the under bonnet temp of a car sitting at the traffic lights will be the same either way, soaking into everything, so gains there are pretty imagined. On the move, it's not like there is a WRX style intercooler scoop forcing air down on the inlet manifold, so even with the shell removed, there isn't much that can be gained.
(Cue the flame thrower!)

[sako]

thanks for the info guys, sounds like it's no big deal either way

[Marco]

Still wish Holden would pay a little more attention to engine presentation. The EFI 5.0 had a very nice looking engine cover. The original LS1 turtle shell wasn't too good, then they introduced the split design which allowed you to actually see some of the engine you paid extra for...and then they covered it up again in the VE. Go figure.

[Curtis-R]

Noise suppression is the biggest thing I have noticed, but since putting on the extractors there is a lot more heat in the engine bay so off with the
turtle :)

[Ned_Flanders666]

You can have the 3 engine covers sitting in my garage then ;) We get drunk, put em on our chests and hit each other for fun, thats their only use now days. Or the odd snow taboggin run. Been trying to think of a few more uses for em? Salad Dish? Wake Board?


Sand dune tobogganing might be a good idea.

[davus]

If it were purely cosmetic and not for actual power gains (as minimal as they may be), then why on the GTS would they move to the twin covers?. (even though i think the GTS ones look cooler!)

Dave

[Big_Valven]

I am sure anyone claiming a power benefit from a plastic cover is getting a little pedantic. If you get a layer of dust on your car I am sure it would offset any theoretical (read theoretical) gains there may be.

Joe Public doesn't want to see "ugly" wiring and metalwork that represents the fine piece of engineering that is the GM V8. That's why it's there.

Unless someone wants to do dyno testing? Wouldn't even be worth getting a car on the rollers for.

[planetdavo]

If it were purely cosmetic and not for actual power gains (as minimal as they may be), then why on the GTS would they move to the twin covers?. (even though i think the GTS ones look cooler!)

Dave
How else would they get to show off the anodised red throttle body with the big shell fitted?
People spending $80-90,000 want to see something they paid all that money for, that the common plebs don't get...

[Marco]

Noise suppression is the biggest thing I have noticed, but since putting on the extractors there is a lot more heat in the engine bay so off with the
turtle :)

So does taking it off give you more 'good' noise, or more 'bad' noise?

[RAVENLS1]

definetly take it off.

[EXCESSV]

my turtle lasted all of about 1min after the dealer gave me the keys

Noise suppression is the biggest thing I have noticed, but since putting on the extractors there is a lot more heat in the engine bay so off with the
turtle :)HPC coating fixes that & they look shiny :dancenana:

So does taking it off give you more 'good' noise, or more 'bad' noise?you get more valve train noise, etc....so if you like that its good noise...if not its bad :lol:

[ATTNSEEKR]

You can have the 3 engine covers sitting in my garage then ;) We get drunk, put em on our chests and hit each other for fun, thats their only use now days. Or the odd snow taboggin run. Been trying to think of a few more uses for em? Salad Dish? Wake Board?

screw one to the top of your wheely bin :lol:

[VX225]

screw one to the top of your wheely bin :lol:

haha thats a brilliant idea!!!

[Cruzadr]

When I first looked under the hood of one of these things I wondered "why do they have this big plastic thing covering the full glory of the LS1" then I bought my VX took off the turtle shell and said "oh...thats why".
It's like meeting a chick at a club with a smoking hot body and you wonder why she's wearing so much make-up. You roll over the next morning and its..."oh...thats why"
Thinking of using mine as a primo cover for the barbie. :eyes:

[throttlehappy]

Noise suppression is the biggest thing I have noticed, but since putting on the extractors there is a lot more heat in the engine bay so off with the
turtle :)

i wonder if noise suppresion is the reason the turtle shell came to be...
i sure noticed a difference after i took mine off, which was as soon as i got home


When I first looked under the hood of one of these things I wondered "why do they have this big plastic thing covering the full glory of the LS1" then I bought my VX took off the turtle shell and said "oh...thats why".
It's like meeting a chick at a club with a smoking hot body and you wonder why she's wearing so much make-up. You roll over the next morning and its..."oh...thats why"
Thinking of using mine as a primo cover for the barbie. :eyes:

oh come on now, i love the ls1 in all its glory

seen a boss motor without covers?

[VX_SS_II]

Still wish Holden would pay a little more attention to engine presentation. The EFI 5.0 had a very nice looking engine cover. The original LS1 turtle shell wasn't too good, then they introduced the split design which allowed you to actually see some of the engine you paid extra for...and then they covered it up again in the VE. Go figure.

They need something to change come "Series II"....

I've gone red split covers, only coz I got them cheap... :)