Billy20

Has anyone driven with the engine cover off? I was wondering if the heat will mess with top when its down or the back panel when the roof is up.
Just would make it easier to work on and also capable of seeing the motor when top is goin up or down or at a show.

Second Vette

I'm sure it's there for a reason.
The one on my HTC is staying put.

Look at the bright side. If you pickup a Pizza, you can stick it on top of the Engine Cover to keep it warm on the drive home.

Majestic94

Yes, it will mess up your top which is why they put the engine cover on.

Billy20

Good to know then i will put it back on and put 6 screws in in stead of the 16 so i can run to the store.

Red Mist Rulz

What "work" are you going to do from the top that requires taking the cover off? Oil and coolant are accessible with the cover on. Air filter access is through the trunk. Plugs, wires, coils, belts, alternator, water pump, filters, drain plugs are all accessed from below.

ZRVET

I’m waiting for some aftermarket vendor to come up with a transparent cover to replace the factory one.

Billy20

Headers, cats, catch can,tb, intake manifold. Is that enough?

Billy20

that would be cool but there is a big piece of heat shield on it

Red Mist Rulz

Those aren't things you're going to do frequently, and once you start you're not going to be driving until you're done.

Billy20

You are correct but you missed the 2nd part to put the top down and see the motor or to put the compartment up at a car show and show off the motor.

Silamanajik

You can fix this problem by installing Dzus 1/4 turn fasteners like they use on race cars and aircraft. Then you can have the cover fully seated and when you want to take it off, just quick turn all the Dzus fasteners and have it off in 30 seconds.

Here is a video of how to install

Darryl Berry

No reason too take it off. if the aftermarket make visible hood you would want dress the engine it don't look as good as coupe.

LIE2ME

Not only would you need a heat shield (maybe just to lay under or over the transparent cover), but to show the car you would have to deal with dressing up an engine that was designed to never be seen. From the pictures I have seen, the HTC engine is not particularly "pretty" to look at, nor does it need to be....

Some interesting challenges to overcome...

/Bear/

I haven't counted personally, so maybe you're right, but the Jeremy Welborn video says the top is held down by 18 screws, and since it's insulated I'd be skeptical about only putting in 6 screws and letting heat leak out around the edges, which would defeat the purpose. The engineers who designed the C8 probably determined the number of screws needed to seal it tight to prevent damage.

Phil1098

Hopefully the new intake is attractive, the motor without the decorative cover that comes on the coupe looks like the Borg, pretty ugly.

/Bear/

Those are pretty cool, but it looks like it would be quite a bit of work (drill, dimple, rivet) to install them, and it could take some trial and error to get a tight seal depending upon the thickness of sheet metal there. It's possibly easier to just use the 18 screws it comes with, as long as you don't drop any into the engine bay!

kdlp

I'm less concerned about seeing the engine and more concerned about how I'm going to get a supercharger on an HTC... they say ProCharger has a supercharger near raedy, but I've not heard anyone say it'll fit on an HTC.

RKCRLR

I thought a saw a post in the tech section that they are making it fit the HTC also.

kdlp

Great!!! I'll go sniff around and see what I can find. I'd not heard/read that!

Rapid Z

Heat is one issue however the racket that engine and transmission make is very unpleasant. That’s the real reason that insulated cover is there along with fire suppression.