Engine Cover suggestions

[Snakebyte]

When I look at water vulnerable parts/connections under the cover, I tend to think that a functional reason prompted the cover usage.

While we may not have a center heat extractor permitting rain to directly drip onto the engine, I've seen some dirty engines over time and I see that moisture and dirt do get into that area, most likely errant road spray in inclement weather.

I believe there is a perceived aesthetic reason as well. When you look at an engine without the cover, the "average" person may be less than impressed with the complexity. Maybe Ford thought the complexity would scare off some potential buyers? Maybe they thought people would be thinking $$$$ service repairs down the road. Of course part of the mustang owner base loves the complexities being visible. Example: Bullitt purchasers.

Realizing those two perspectives, and not really liking the cover, I just decided to embrace the cover and make it more to my liking.

One other point....if the truth be told, the purpose of the engine cover is to avoid irate owners that clean their engine with a pressure spray that gets into connections. I had a car in the 70's that took a long, long time to recover from an engine wash. Of course electrical components these days are much more waterproof, but then people apply a lot more pressure at a car wash today than back in that era.

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[Gnatsum21]

My engine cover

 

[Vlad Soare]

The cover may help a bit with the direct injection noise (a.k.a. 2k rattle). But I think the main reason for having it is that the engine looks so ugly without it. It's a terrible mess of cables, pipes, hoses, more cables, more pipes... The days when an engine looked like a piece of art in and of itself are long gone. Modern engines look better covered; there's nothing interesting or beautiful to see.

What surprises me is that we've had the third generation Coyote for almost four years now, and still nobody has made a beautiful aftermarket cover for it yet. 2015-2017 owners are spoiled for choice. 2018+ owners have nothing. How come? Surely it can't be that hard, can it?

 

[Rapid Red]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Engine covers, talk about uninteresting the very worst, at best, big flat nothing. Put an umbrella on the motor, it would look about the same.

Hose & wires can be bundled, tie wraped, routed, covered with looms. Clamps blacked out, just takes time, and some imagination for detail.

Tricking the eyes, done right. People will look under the hood and not see many things right in front of their face.

Example that ugly ass neck of the windshield wash, blue top . Looks like it sticks up 4 - 6 inches, easily hidden with out moving a thing.

You may have guessed not a cover fan LMAO

 

[TexasMetallic5.0]

I just removed the center section and threw it back on. I only see it maybe once a month when I check my catch can.

 

[PKs]

Hoses? I guess you just got to embrace them.

 

[Scooter MGee]

I pretty much just blacked everything out..............

 

[Prefo20]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Engine covers, talk about uninteresting the very worst, at best, big flat nothing. Put an umbrella on the motor, it would look about the same.

Hose & wires can be bundled, tie wraped, routed, covered with looms. Clamps blacked out, just takes time, and some imagination for detail.

Tricking the eyes, done right. People will look under the hood and not see many things right in front of their face.

Example that ugly ass neck of the windshield wash, blue top . Looks like it sticks up 4 - 6 inches, easily hidden with out moving a thing.

You may have guessed not a cover fan LMAO

I actually like that look with nothing on there. Looks cool. Thanks!

 

[Prefo20]

I pretty much just blacked everything out..............

That center strip 5.0 is kind of cool by itself too.

 

[Scooter MGee]

That center strip 5.0 is kind of cool by itself too.

And super easy to do with a Dremel.

 

[Prefo20]

And super easy to do with a Dremel.

I'll have them keep the entire thing, leave it off, then I'll mess around with it.

 

[Idaho2018GTPremium]

Just remove the plastic cover. The stock one on 2018+ GTs weigh 4.5 lbs. Wasted weight centered high above the front wheels' serves no purpose and isn't even a good-looking cover.

 

[Prefo20]

Just remove the plastic cover. The stock one on 2018+ GTs weigh 4.5 lbs. Wasted weight centered high above the front wheels' serves no purpose and isn't even a good-looking cover.

Hope you're enjoying that ZL1. I had a 2019 Convertible ZL1. Loved it.

 

[Idaho2018GTPremium]

Hope you're enjoying that ZL1. I had a 2019 Convertible ZL1. Loved it.

Enjoying every minute of it. What happened to your '19 vert?

 

[Prefo20]

Enjoying every minute of it. What happened to your '19 vert?

Well, I had a Vette problem for years, had a 2012 C6 and five C7's at once, 3 of them Callaway's. Sold my house, moved to Florida and sold everything. So, I wanted that engine of the ZO6 back, so I bought the ZL1, but my wife had a hip replacement and hated the seats. Have to admit, I didn't care for them much either. Sold it and bought my first mustang in 2020. I do miss that small block though, damn it was fun. I'm looking for a C7 now though as I just can't warm up to that C8. Does nothing for me. That ZL1 was a blast though, that sound!

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