Why are modern engine bays so boring? (2011, race car, sports)

[KevinE]

Most are now shielded in plastic even on sports cars. Is this a corporate litigation thing to keep owners from suing if they touch the hot shiny bits? Or is it a like a seal that if removed voids the warranty? Maybe they want to hide cut corners in the engine castings.

I mean look at this modern corvette engine bay. It is as soulless as a vacuum cleaner.



And then compare that to the glorious LT5 from 20 years ago.

[texdav]

Twenty years ago people would drop their jaws see that.Only the most exotics race cars had that look .

[GTOlover]

the LT5 was a dohc 4-valve motor and the LT1 is waht a LS3 shpould be compred in terms of looks

[Fleet]

I know what you mean.

The engine compartment in my brother's '08 Acura TL is almost completely covered in plastic...



Whereas the engine is easily visible (not to mention work on) in most classic cars...

[Nativechief]

The makers figure if they put a cover on everything and the owner cant figure out how to remove it more money will be made in their dealers service departments...

[Tennesseestorm]

here is another example...

Cadillac engine from 1973

[IMG][/IMG]

Cadillac engine from 2011

[IMG][/IMG]

[Stiggie]

Needs more european cars!

Alfa hasn't gone completely vegetable, the 169 had a pretty cool engine bay

But I have to agree, you rarely see engines like this anymore:

Cargasm

[Fleet]

Originally Posted by Tennesseestorm

here is another example...

Cadillac engine from 1973

[IMG][/IMG]

I wish the engine in my Plymouth was that clean! But I do plan to do some cleaning to it when I have the chance.

Cadillac engine from 2011

[IMG][/IMG]

It's bad enough having plastic on the exterior, but even in the engine bay...

[Fleet]

Originally Posted by Nativechief

The makers figure if they put a cover on everything and the owner cant figure out how to remove it more money will be made in their dealers service departments...

That is true. And with all that plastic, it will discourage the owners from trying to remove it even more!

It also makes it harder to do any mods to the engine. For instance, I removed the cast-iron intake manifold (years ago) from my former '66 Dodge Dart GT V-8 by myself and installed a Holley aluminum intake manifold. No way would I try doing that with a new car!

[Zea mays]

It is done for sound proofing.