I say its for looks only, JUST LIKE ANY OTHER ENGINE COVERS.

 

Engine covers are a joke, and are just there for aesthetics.

That's ok, though, because they look good under our hood :D

 

One would think that removing the engine cover would actually allow MORE airflow to circulate in the engine bay...? And keep unnecessary heat from staying there

 

assuming the cover is there for airflow, directing airflow properly is important. Just having air blowing around doesn't mean it's being properly channeled. The same goes for your radiator. If you blow air AT it and it doesn't flow out the rear properly, the air being blown at the radiator isn't going to be tremendously useful.

 

to me the engine cover is like a license plate in front of your intercooler? lol same difference, if you remove it it would just seem better... idk

 

air is going to go to the path of least resistance. That's why there is foam stuff around your radiator to stop the air from just going around the radiator instead of through it.

 

The next time your cooling fans come on, try putting your hand by those vents...

The RX-8 DOES have functional fender vents.

 

Have you ever taken off the vents to see whats underneath...?

 

I suspect that since they are not on the 09 model that they were not very important to air flow.

 

That simply means u've NEVER, EVER open the fender and see whats in there

Try to do that b4 u make another post, its really easy, a flat head screwdriver is all you need.

 

yep, mazda engineers said "Why dont we trap more heat in the engine bay with an engine cover? We know the rotary runs too cool and we need to raise core temps a bit to increase efficiency. And that aluminum hood with that really stout paint really doesnt need long term protection but lets make this cover anyway.
Also, lets lower our profit margin by spending some money on engineering design and molding equipment to produce a decoration that customers are going to throw away anyway. And I know we've spent lotsa time and energy on weight savings but to hell with all that, lets add a a couple more non-essential pounds. The aero guys certainly got it wrong, flow through the radiator and around the engine can be swirling not necessary to direct it. Turbulent flow is better. "

Yeah, thats how the meetings went.

 

Yes, the fender vents are functional. Only if "functional" = "decoration"

Inside is a boxy area that has no direct path to the engine bay.

Functional fender vents would mean hot air across the paint on the side of the vehicle. I'm not so sure people would appreciate that after the paint gets discolored and brittle.

 

Funny story, when I got my seat replaced under warranty, I ended up getting a free engine cover (which I returned because 1 is more then enough). I brought it in without one, and 3 days later when i got the car back, there was another engine cover on it. I think the dealer must have forgotten it didn't have one when it came in in the first place.

 

Um, no. See pic

 

Sorry guys, I know I am new and all, (whips out nerdy voice) but yeah.. I've done a lot of research and this guy I know, his sister is friends of like a really top secret researcher at Mazda.. yeah.. HE said that the engine cover adds 50 HP.. that's why people don't get the hp Mazda claims.. they take off the engine cover!!!

Sorry.. couldn't resist... ;-)

 

well hell yeah it looks neater without it....lookie at all dem goodies under your hood. Man that just makes mine look like tumbleweed is blowing around under my cover

 

[QUOTE=Socket7;2538925]Funny story, when I got my seat replaced under warranty, I ended up getting a free engine cover (which I returned because 1 is more then enough). I brought it in without one, and 3 days later when i got the car back, there was another engine cover on it. I think the dealer must have forgotten it didn't have one when it came in in the first place.[\QUOTE]


The funny thing is that I bet one of two things happened. There was an "oh shi....!!" momenty when the techs thought they had lost it, set it in the bed of a pickup truck that just went out or something and had to get a replacement because they figured you would be super pissed that they lost yours and they didn't want to ask you if yours had one because they would look stupid admitting they lost it. Prolly took an extra day for "parts" for them to get the new cover.


Or... Some other guy had his RX-8 in and they put his cover on your engine accidentally and he got shafted.

I wonder what really happened

 

I think they had the "oh ****" moment, then ran outside to an 8 on the lot and put its engine cover on my car. The thing was filthy and covered in pollen. I had a moment of "wait, is this MY car?" when i popped the hood.

 

/thread

Haha, I have 3 engine covers in my garage now because of the same thing. I guess they lose track sometimes of what cover goes where and just give a cover to be on the safe side.

 

Really?

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...highlight=2009

 

hes talking about the side vents........

 

ah, yes. we're talking engine covers, no?

btw, looks like a smaller vent but still there.

 

Without looking at my wife's 8, I thought the side vents behind the tire were similiar to my FD, in that it vents air coming in from the oil cooler openings. Now I'll have to go check when she gets home.

Tim

 

Man, this forum is great. I'm taking my 3-month-old '8 to the track tomorrow, and I know I'll have to remove the engine cover for the tech inspection, and I was wondering if just keeping it off for the day would matter. I love that I didn't have to start my own thread about this! I kind of like the way the cover looks, so I'll put it back on tomorrow or Saturday.

 

Aesthetics only.

And considering the oil only gets checked once every week or two, it doen't bother me to take two seconds to pop it off.