coop1018

Has anyone removed all the plastic engine compartments under the hood. I think it looks better without those pieces in. Plus you get to see the nice huge strut brace!!! Is there a downside/upside to this?

cutemp

Picture?

Bitium

Maybe noise and dirt

VTEC=happiness

No downside that I have found. I'm still not clear about how to post pics, so if someone wants to host my pics, I can show what the engine looks like sans plastic.

OmegaTL

I am wondering if the plastic helps direct airflow. Since our TLs are bottom breathers and has an air deflector to draw air up into the engine compartment, I wonder if the plastic in the engine compartment also helps further direct air. Creating different pressure zones to draw air where needed.

With that said, I hate the plastic crap there are putting in the engine compartments these days. However, I will most likely just leave it alone. Since I don't really know, I will play it safe and leave it be.

VTEC=happiness

I acutally inquired at my Acura dealership and was told that the plastic is purely cosmetic. Also, the service advisor mentioned that the plastic helps keep the dealership service in business because it makes the engine look too intimidating for people to work on themselves.

OmegaTL

Sweet, looks like I will be removing that plastic crap when mine comes in next month. Good looking out VTEC

6speed

Ditto

VTEC=happiness

Not sure how to post in forum, but I just created a quick album for you all to view. Here is the link. If anyone wants to host any of the pics, feel free.

http://photos.yahoo.com/ucsbchris2001

PeterUbers

iTrader: (1)

When I get my Comptech supercharger... only then will all those plastic pieces come out .. out of sheer necessity for space

VTEC=happiness

A big fan of the plastic look I'll assume?? For me, I like getting a little bit of a look at what my engine bay holds...although the plastic is a clean look.

moreace

no see any pics

VTEC=happiness

Wierd...I just clicked and it seems to be working.

04tlnbppar

You may need to share your pics to the public

moreace

maybe cause you are hosting them and are admin, or maybe I am just retarded and blind. I am not ruling out either

VTEC=happiness

You were right, thanks...now public

rets

VTEC=happiness, if you don't mind, here we go... I like its white background...

VTEC=happiness

Thanks rets, you're the man. Just FYI, the pics witrh the stickers on the block are during the spring install, so the strut bar is removed. The others show it intact.

Bitium

I like the plastic look better, just have to either carbon fiber the plastic or painted a cool glossy color

rets

I remember one of members painting the engine part as red... it looks good too.

TLGator

For you guys who like to open the hood I can see how the appearance of the engine would matter. The pics look cool.

Personally I hope to open the hood as infrequently as possible.

coop1018

anyone take off the plastic that hides your headers and cylinders

Bitium

You must be talking about the valvecovers and manifold right ???

yeah all you are going to see is a manifold and the valve covers. The plate that says VTEC on it is part of the manifold and it came out with the 02 Type S model.....is design as a changer with a 2nd butterfly that allows more air to go into the cylinders after 3800 rpms Acura calls it a supercharged effect

It use to be a 3rd butterfly, but that is because the old gen already had 2 butterflies one from the accelerator and one after for VSA....this was eleminated on the 04 because it has drive by wire which allows the computer (VSA) to take charge when needed.

EFlecha

definately like the plastic look better..

BLEXV6

Funny you say that as when I bought my 98 Accord, thats whatb the salesperson said, that all maintence must be done by the dealer due to the complexity of the engine.