Does anyone remember when popping the hood of a hi-perf Chevy....uncovered a beautiful motor? I certainly do!

Nice valve covers, beautiful intakes...I really miss them. Gorgeous cold air inducted 302's, (the Cross Rams especially), nice early '70's LT-1s, LB9',L98's, LT-5's. No need for "beauty covers" that do little more than add weight and retain heat. Nope! Just bare naked, good looking motors.

The '05 Mustang GT motor is good looking....eventhough it resorts to a verrry TPI looking cover on the intake.

Seeing as we seem to have some time before we get our "CC" (Chevy Coupe)...how-about we clean up the looks of that GEN IV smallblock.....at least for the SS and Z/28. Come on GM...make us proud to pop the hood again.

 

I agree completely! I've said exactly what you just said so many times at cruise nights, shows, etc., to people and they always agree. Those big covers are stupid and should go. A more attractive intake needs to be designed. All of the recent engines are just unimpressive and plastic looking.

 

http://www.z069.us/69/Engine/engine8.jpg

 

GTO engine looks good http://www.tunerxtreme.com/GTO%20engine.jpg

 

I think they look fine now as well...

The LT1 was a little boring visually, but, then again, I don't think beauty is #1 on Powertrain's hit list....

I don't think that a giant round air cleaner is any more exciting to look at than an LS6....

 

Do you have a picture of that BTW? TPI is my favorite intake design, it looked great/mean. It's funny at shows when someone that never saw TPI before is just standing there and staring then starts asking questions. They look really good polished or chromed.

 

http://stangnet.com/2005fordmustang/...angengine2.jpg

and

http://stangnet.com/2005fordmustang/...tangengine.jpg

 

That's exactly what I mean, Doug.

Here's an LS1 motor with a custom paint job, aftermarket coated headers, chromed or polished throttle body, and all sorts of aftermarket billet/aluminum accessories......and you still need a set of "beauty covers" to hide it. I think if the LS1 just had some good looking valve covers (like the C5R), repositioned coils, and some other detailing....it would look great...and you wouldn't need to cover it up with plastic covers.

Of course it's more important for an engine to perform...but what's wrong with a motor looking good when you pop the hood?

An LS1 would literally suck the headlights out of my LB9 IROC....but when they're parked side by side, with the hoods open, my TPI motor is the one everyone ogles over.

BTW
Here's a stock Vette motor that's not afraid to show some skin.
http://www.lt5registry.net/forums/pr...um=8&Topic=179

 

For one thing though... engne compartments have gotten more and more crowded with hoses, wires and other bits needed to meet emissions and whatnot. Also the use of plastics where metal was traditionally used (e.g. the stock LS1/LS6 upper intake does the job great, but is not the most attractive piece - plus the rough texture traps dirt and lint like no-one's business).

I agree though... I don't like to open a hood and be confronted by a sea of plastic. Euro imports like BMW are Audi are the worst for this.. Jeeze... you can barely see any metal at all when you pop the hood on these things. Yuck.

 

Alright, this should satisify most of you out there..

The HSV HRT 427..

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/pic.m...num=4&num=1488

 

Now, that's more like it!

 

Picture of the new Mustang GT engine. I think it looks great.

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/large/1843-14.jpg

That 427ci HSV. Is that the C5R motor?

 

Yup.. By Le Mans rules, the C5R block must look and measure identical on the exterior to its production twin, the LS1..

Obviously the intake is not a production peice, the coil packs relocated, and the engine bay cleaned up...

 

No, but those look like C5R valve covers on it.

 

Engines used to be considerably more simple. My El Camino has 4 hoses and less than 10 wires attached to the engine. Most newer cars' engine bays look more like a compartent to house wires and hoses instead of an engine. I imagine manufacturers could figure out ways to clean them up a little, but they also want to spend as little money as possible. Your average non-enthusiast probably doesn't even know what the underside of their hood looks like anyway, so auto companies aren't too likely to spend much money on looks under there.

Maybe a wise move for a 5th gen would be to add a little detail under the hood.