Engine cover

[michaelthepsycho]

Now, I am a functionality person in terms of any item I own. I like to removing stuff that's not necessary (including the spare tire). I've been doing some thinking and I'm wondering if it will be okay to remove the engine hood. Will debris from driving get stuck in it? That being said, there's no way in hell I'll install additional stuff like sound systems to weigh down my car. I even keep my owner's manual in my closet and refer to the electronic manual when needed. The trunk carpet (to which there's an additional layer underneath) is also a victim to my "featherweighting." But bottom line is: will removing the synthetic engine hood do any damage? I know eventually, I'll remove it myself just to see how it works but I'd like to ask any knowledgeable member on this forum to answer =)

[JDRosenberg07]

assuming your talking about the plastic engine cover and not the actual hood of the car then you should be fine.. being that worried about a couple pounds (max) by takin the carpet and owners manual out is a bit overboard IMO and its not gonna improve anything.

leave it on

[08altima35]

you're sounding a bit anal dude. I agree with taking out the spare and the jack, but a little carpet and the engine cover isn't going to do a thing.

[Ferguson]

Unless you are involved in competition, like Autocross or Slaloms, why are you worried about a few pounds? Even then, few people go as far as removing the soundproofing, or a plastic cover, from the car! Spare tire, yes, but the carpet underlay... no. You won't feel the difference and neither will the timer at a comp event. You will, however, miss some of those things when you are back on the road! JMO.

[michaelthepsycho]

Yes I'm talking about the plastic engine cover.For every 100 pounds of weight, you lose roughly up to 2% of your fuel efficiency.Now, that trunk carpet + manual + engine cover = 10 lb at least. The tire / jack is at least 30... I'm not being anal, I really do have a slight case of OCD. I have to see stuff my way or I get irritated lol.

[adidas2go]

A slight case of OCD?

This thread FAILS. May God have mercy on your soul

[Hussain]

A slight case of OCD?

This thread FAILS. May God have mercy on your soul

if you're that concerned about gas, why didn't you just buy a prius? or a altima hybrid?

oh and to answer your question, no nothing will happen. i removed it and some plastic thing above the radiator fan when i went to the track one time.... i did it to help keep the engine cooler in between runs for best times (with the hood open of course).

[dldjros69]

A slight case of OCD?

This thread FAILS. May God have mercy on your soul

- nice way 2 treat a 6 post member, what is this nissan club. haha

Id say this is a valid topic - Trying to lighten up you car is a cool thing. Ok maybe taking off the engine cover is a little anal but the rest of the stuff seemed valid. They do it on forza. Lighten that puppy up.

[Boilermaker318]

Do you have any supporting evidence for your 2% fuel efficiency claim? Even if thats true, which I dont think it is, lets say your tank usually allows you to go 300 miles. You know 2% equates to 6 miles right? Driving habits would easily net way bigger savings.

[JDRosenberg07]

I believe the rule of thumb is actually for every 150lbs = 1mpg but boilermaker has a point about driving habits.. should have gotten the Versa if your that concerned about gas mileage, or better yet get a Schwinn

[Leoltima]

I believe the rule of thumb is actually for every 150lbs = 1mpg but boilermaker has a point about driving habits.. should have gotten the Versa if your that concerned about gas mileage, or better yet get a Schwinn

OR those indian made cars the tatta....or mitsubishis smart car....hahaha

[adidas2go]

I think you mean Mercedes' smart car I actually like them

- nice way 2 treat a 6 post member, what is this nissan club. haha

Id say this is a valid topic - Trying to lighten up you car is a cool thing. Ok maybe taking off the engine cover is a little anal but the rest of the stuff seemed valid. They do it on forza. Lighten that puppy up.

Ok, that may have been a little harsh, but it was a joke. The tire and jack are the only things in this thread that make sense to remove for weight.

[Infantry1327]

You could always take out the back seat as well. driving with people in the back would easily up the weight a few hundred pounds. So take out the back seat and tell people they can't have a ride because that extra dollars worth of gas you will use because of there weight, is to much.

Just messin with you bro. If you really want better gas milage, get intake/ exhaust.

[CaLiLaTiN]

You could always take out the back seat as well. driving with people in the back would easily up the weight a few hundred pounds. So take out the back seat and tell people they can't have a ride because that extra dollars worth of gas you will use because of there weight, is to much.

Just messin with you bro. If you really want better gas milage, get intake/ exhaust.

LOLOLOLOL. Better yet...keep the seat..and charge people for rides. Extra money for gas and mods Im so glad gas is cheap right now. Makes me wish I could stock up on gas. Hmmmm. LOL.

[bina12834]

dude....the plastic engine cover will save you like 4-5 ounces......theres no way its worth it to take it off to "save weight"

[DarkKnight22]

convert your trunk into a second fuel tank?

[Leoltima]

convert your trunk into a second fuel tank?

So wat ur trying to say is u want a bomb with 4 wheels right??haha

[vonivo]

Yes I'm talking about the plastic engine cover.For every 100 pounds of weight, you lose roughly up to 2% of your fuel efficiency.Now, that trunk carpet + manual + engine cover = 10 lb at least. The tire / jack is at least 30... I'm not being anal, I really do have a slight case of OCD. I have to see stuff my way or I get irritated lol.

sell the coupe and quit dismantling it and buy a more fuel efficient car you'll get quite a bit more than 2%

[Hussain]

convert your trunk into a second fuel tank?

OR he could try keeping only a 1/4 tank of gas in the car.... we have a 20 gallon fuel tank so a full tank of gas as opposed to a 1/2 or 1/4 tank of gas is probably more weight then everything this guy is taking out of the car (except spare tire and car jack of course)

[JDRosenberg07]

OR he could try keeping only a 1/4 tank of gas in the car.... we have a 20 gallon fuel tank so a full tank of gas as opposed to a 1/2 or 1/4 tank of gas is probably more weight then everything this guy is taking out of the car (except spare tire and car jack of course)

I believe a gallon of gas weighs about 6.5 lbs.. 6.5lbs times 20 gals = 130lbs so leavin that tank at 1/4 is about 32lbs... thats 100lbs right there

[dldjros69]

I agree, i only fill my coupe up to 10 gallons and no more. I live a mile away from my work. Gas lasts me forever.

Didnt somebody remove the Styrofoam from the trunk and saved like 45 pounds?

Possible options of a racing battery?

[Leman]

this is kinda off topic but still has to do with the engine cover.

has anyone taken off the plastic just to be able to see more of the actual engine so it doesnt look like a big block of plastic? what exactly do the plastic "coverings" do?

[marlin29311]

this is kinda off topic but still has to do with the engine cover.

has anyone taken off the plastic just to be able to see more of the actual engine so it doesnt look like a big block of plastic? what exactly do the plastic "coverings" do?

It's purely asthetic - it's there to make the engine bay look nice for the majority of people.

You want to save weight - lightweight forged wheels, strip out the seating, lightweight battery, remove the radio, strip the interior paneling...etc.

Your engine cover hood will do nothing - even though it does nothing anyway.

[Hussain]

this is kinda off topic but still has to do with the engine cover.

has anyone taken off the plastic just to be able to see more of the actual engine so it doesnt look like a big block of plastic? what exactly do the plastic "coverings" do?

idk about the QR but the VQ looks UGLLLLLY with the cover off lol

[dldjros69]

The qr looks like crap with out the cover. It looks cheap and little, hence the nice engine cover.

I would love to get Light weight forged wheels. Estimated cost? 5-700 a wheel. That is crazy.

Remove the Air conditioner, there are so many options but who wants to drive a stripped car.

[adidas2go]

idk about the QR but the VQ looks UGLLLLLY with the cover off lol

your crazy, the vq is sexy

[michaelthepsycho]

Wow! I'm suprised at all this enthusiasm! Lol. I HAVE thought about removing my back seat. I couldn't care less about burning gas. The MPG gain is just a side-product of my would-be satisfaction. Point of argument is my satisfaction from knowing I REMOVED EXCESS stuff. The stuff people mentioned (radio and all) are NOT excessive.To JDRosenberg07: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/driveHabits.shtml(gov site should be pretty authoratative)Somehow this has turned into an MPG thread lol. That was NEVER the intent of this discussion but just happened to come up with my weight / mpg inclusion.

I'm taking my car to the shop tommorow for some "standard" things (as standardized by NICO... HAHA) done: Injen intake / Eibach Pro Kit / 18" front 19" rear (or maybe 19 f 20 r) XXR 006 with blue lip / badgeless front grille (painted blue)

Wish me luck guys

Of course, continue to discuss what could actually be removed that's in excess.

[JDRosenberg07]

yeah dude... 2% of 26mpg (which is what the 2.5 is rated to average) is 0.52mpg per 100lbs so another 50lbs added on to that is ABOUT 1mpg give or take. It will be different on every car, on every engine. No two cars weigh the exact same and no two engines put out the exact same power... thats why its a rule of thumb