C8 HTC Clear Engine Bay Covers are HERE!
#1
Team Owner
Thread Starter
C8 HTC Clear Engine Bay Covers are HERE!
C8 Corvette HTC Clear Engine Bay Cover - American Hydrocarbon
The long-awaited clear polycarbonate covers are finished and ready to ship. These are in stock.The OEM C8 Corvette engine cover hides that beautiful 6.2L LT2.
This Cover is designed to show it off with style. Manufactured in America, from an impact resistant clear thermoplastic, and formed specific to the Convertible this cover is the perfect addition to your corvette.
Add one of our custom painted engine covers to complete the look!
The long-awaited clear polycarbonate covers are finished and ready to ship. These are in stock.The OEM C8 Corvette engine cover hides that beautiful 6.2L LT2.
This Cover is designed to show it off with style. Manufactured in America, from an impact resistant clear thermoplastic, and formed specific to the Convertible this cover is the perfect addition to your corvette.
Add one of our custom painted engine covers to complete the look!
- Made From Impact Resistant Thermoplastic
- Installs easily utilizing OEM hardware
- Manufactured in America
- Fully transparent and optically
clear - Showcases entire Engine Bay with
OEM precision
The following 2 users liked this post by American Hydrocarbon:
Anthony s (06-23-2022),
Telepierre (06-25-2022)
Popular Reply
06-21-2022, 08:46 PM
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Manufacturer update:
1. The covers have been UL tested for maximum continuous surface temperature up to 200 degrees.
2. They will fit the Z06
3. The GM Warranty Engineer (Jeff) at the Bash said there would be no warranty issues.
4. The cover would have to be on a running car for 11yrs, 8 months and 27 days for any discoloration to occur.
5. The thermoplastic has a 30-year life expectancy before it might start to breakdown.
6. Bottom line is: On the HTC you could not see the engine...now you can!
1. The covers have been UL tested for maximum continuous surface temperature up to 200 degrees.
2. They will fit the Z06
3. The GM Warranty Engineer (Jeff) at the Bash said there would be no warranty issues.
4. The cover would have to be on a running car for 11yrs, 8 months and 27 days for any discoloration to occur.
5. The thermoplastic has a 30-year life expectancy before it might start to breakdown.
6. Bottom line is: On the HTC you could not see the engine...now you can!
#2
Safety Car
C8 Corvette HTC Clear Engine Bay Cover - American Hydrocarbon
The long-awaited clear polycarbonate covers are finished and ready to ship. These are in stock.The OEM C8 Corvette engine cover hides that beautiful 6.2L LT2.
This Cover is designed to show it off with style. Manufactured in America, from an impact resistant clear thermoplastic, and formed specific to the Convertible this cover is the perfect addition to your corvette.
Add one of our custom painted engine covers to complete the look!
The long-awaited clear polycarbonate covers are finished and ready to ship. These are in stock.The OEM C8 Corvette engine cover hides that beautiful 6.2L LT2.
This Cover is designed to show it off with style. Manufactured in America, from an impact resistant clear thermoplastic, and formed specific to the Convertible this cover is the perfect addition to your corvette.
Add one of our custom painted engine covers to complete the look!
- Made From Impact Resistant Thermoplastic
- Installs easily utilizing OEM hardware
- Manufactured in America
- Fully transparent and optically
clear - Showcases entire Engine Bay with
OEM precision
#3
Advanced
I really like the look of it but am concerned about 2 things - will there be more engine heat emitted than the factory cover and, if so, how will this impact the paint on the stored convertible top above it. I also wonder if, as it is exposed to the engine heat, will it turn cloudy over time?
I suppose only time will tell regarding both issues. It sure would be nice to be able to view the engine.
I suppose only time will tell regarding both issues. It sure would be nice to be able to view the engine.
The following users liked this post:
ArmchairArchitect (06-21-2022)
#4
Team Owner
Thread Starter
I really like the look of it but am concerned about 2 things - will there be more engine heat emitted than the factory cover and, if so, how will this impact the paint on the stored convertible top above it. I also wonder if, as it is exposed to the engine heat, will it turn cloudy over time?
I suppose only time will tell regarding both issues. It sure would be nice to be able to view the engine.
I suppose only time will tell regarding both issues. It sure would be nice to be able to view the engine.
The following users liked this post:
Rapid Z (06-19-2022)
#7
Instructor
I would definitely consider this clear cover, but heat transfer would also be my biggest concern. Still waiting for an allocation; perhaps by the time I actually have a car there will be more data from those who installed it.
Has anyone installed a thermocouple on top of the OEM cover and on top of this clear cover and compared surface temperatures?
Does the OEM cover have any heat shielding on the underside?
Has anyone installed a thermocouple on top of the OEM cover and on top of this clear cover and compared surface temperatures?
Does the OEM cover have any heat shielding on the underside?
#8
Yes, there is foam insulation and silver reflective material on the underside of the OEM cover. Some dispute that it is for insulation against heat, but it has to have more insulating quality than the polycarbonate. They claim its primary purpose is sound insulation. I tend to doubt that's the only reason it is there, but there is no clear answer.
I guess there is no "Ask Tadge" (or somebody) feature on this forum anymore.
I guess there is no "Ask Tadge" (or somebody) feature on this forum anymore.
#10
Racer
I like being able to see the engine but this picture has me real concerned...That insulation is there for a reason...I am not trying to be negative and I am not an engineer...just trying to get info....
1. what does gm say???
2. does it void any parts of the warranty??
Thanks for the info..
1. what does gm say???
2. does it void any parts of the warranty??
Thanks for the info..
The following users liked this post:
Olnavy (06-25-2022)
#11
Burning Brakes
I guess I'm on the fence about it. Its kinda cool, not sure if its worth $600 to me though. It would be neat to see the engine, but on the other hand I don't put my car in shows and I'm afraid I would just see more I'd wanna clean.
#12
Team Owner
Thread Starter
I like being able to see the engine but this picture has me real concerned...That insulation is there for a reason...I am not trying to be negative and I am not an engineer...just trying to get info....
1. what does gm say???
2. does it void any parts of the warranty??
Thanks for the info..
1. what does gm say???
2. does it void any parts of the warranty??
Thanks for the info..
#14
Safety Car
I like being able to see the engine but this picture has me real concerned...That insulation is there for a reason...I am not trying to be negative and I am not an engineer...just trying to get info....
1. what does gm say???
2. does it void any parts of the warranty??
Thanks for the info..
1. what does gm say???
2. does it void any parts of the warranty??
Thanks for the info..
Last edited by Rapid Z; 06-20-2022 at 08:00 AM.
#15
Team Owner
Thread Starter
There will be a seal on the retail covers.
#16
I'd hope to see a lot more detail on actual temperatures under there with the OEM panel & the clear one, in the same driving conditions (e.g., stop and go traffic, high speeds, how much the radiator and engine bay fans ran, etc., and with information on what the ambient temperature was during the tests. Just before the engine compartment fans come on is probably peak temperature under there, so having OEM vs clear cover temp readings at the point would be very informative.
The following 2 users liked this post by Red Mist Rulz:
ArmchairArchitect (06-21-2022),
GarryL (06-20-2022)
#17
Le Mans Master
The question is how much higher is too much.
Were any temperature measurements taken on a hot day during a track event? Or how about a hard canyon carving session in southern California on a hot day?
If the clear cover manufacturer has any use restrictions they should be stated. And it would be helpful to see actual before and after data along with the driving conditions and ambient temperatures.
Assuming the temperatures were higher with the clear cover, were those temperatures compared with the headliner and other material (adhesives, lubricants, softgoods, etc) capabilities? Many times it isn't just peak temperature that is the limiting factor but the duration of the temperature.
If you had a problem with the headliner or top operation, would you be confident enough that those problems weren't caused by the clear cover that you would leave the clear cover in place when you brought it in for warranty work?
A reasonable approach to how much testing is necessary would be to leave a car parked in the hot sun for an extended period (top both up and down) while measuring the temperature of the components. Normally this is the limiting factor on headliner components. If those temperatures are the same or exceed the operational temperatures with the clear cover in place then that would provide confidence that there isn't a problem.
I'm not saying that the clear cover is necessarily going to cause problems but common sense is telling me that the top components will get hotter with the clear cover in place.
#18
The silver reflective barrier has nothing to do with sound, and everything to do with heat. Unless you're one of the GM engineers who worked on this, don't make statements you have no facts to support.
#19
Safety Car
Oh I agree it’s there so the cheap plastic cover it’s mounted to doesn’t melt from the engine heat.
The following users liked this post:
oregonsharkman (06-22-2022)
#20
Le Mans Master
An easy test. Place a heat source on the engine side of both covers and measure the temperature on the other side of the covers. My bet is the clear cover allows more heat to pass through.