Clear engine cover

[mrmickeymouse]

I plan on making some plexiglass engine cover's for the Boxster model to cover the entire engine and not just a window. The cost will be be considerable to start.

I would like to take a poll from the members as to who would be interested in the cover.

It will cost me approximately $450.00 -$500.00 dollars to make them.

If it becomes popular [enough people want them], I have talked the fabricators into a cheaper price TBD.

The expensive part will be me configuring/ finding some attachment screws or clips. I found out the original screws will not work on the rear most portion of the lid.

So before I put a few grand into the idea, I would like an idea of it's need or popularity.

I will of course offer Renn tech forum members a special price.

Can anyone tell me of the engine "Area" temperature. Under normal driving conditions in the southern states during the summer with the engine cover on.

I have added a picture of what your engine can look like after an hour of sponge cleaning carefully.

[it is still dirty]

Edited May 18, 2004 by mrmickeymouse

[rxbox]

looks nice!

i notice lexan will scuff easily...

great idea.......go with it!

[mrmickeymouse]

I owe it to you, thank you, your idea and information motivated me to this point.

My only dilemma is the temp, I have to figure the temperature range. Cold is easy but high temps will decide what type of glass I have to use.

BTW - they say copying is the best form of flattery.

Thank you,

Scott

Edited May 19, 2004 by mrmickeymouse

[openwater]

Scott,

This link may be of help also...

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/online/ccd/maxtemp.html

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/online/ccd/mintemp.html

Tons of climate data for most major cities over the last 30 years. May want to figure abient temperature in your calculations.

Steve

[thelion]

My friend Wes has two fans blowing down on the engine, it helps with engine temps on the race track. If you have a modified Boxster it'll help on the street too, he has them blowing right on the intake plenums.

[openwater]

Also, since you're in the area you may want to talk to the people at San Diego Plastics (http://www.sdplastics.com/). Ask them about Lexan XL, its rated to 257F, has greater resistance to chemicals and is a better insulator...

Steve

[mrmickeymouse]

That is where I went, they told me that lexan was not feasible due to the extensive bending; that is where the high price comes in.

Acrylic/plexiglass was my only option.

I have been conducting the scientific hand test on the stock cover under our current conditions, and the lid does not even get warm, it seems cool to the touch with the insulator removed.

I believe.. I have found an alternate method for the lid screw downs; the engine compartment rim gold clips [per Porsche that's what they call them - go figure]

That was my only hang up, what to use for the 2 back [sic] clips.

Scott

[adsach]

Driving my 02 Boxster S for 1 year in Scottsdale, AZ vs 1 year in Albany, NY I am of the opinion that the main difference in engine compartment temperature occurs when the car is parked.

After a vigorous drive in 105+ degree heat, the engine compartment fan can run for over an hour parked in the garage. The temperature gauge in the dash never budged above normal, including a triple digit DE day and several high speed runs(140+).

During NY winter, I was surprised to find how little the existing engine cover warms to the touch once the insulating foam is removed.

I can't say my opinion is well enough informed to order plastic, but it doesn't seem that the ambient temperature affects the engine compartment temperature as much as one would expect.

I don't understand the comment about Lexan and extensive bending. In my experience (30 years ago), Lexan bends a whole lot easier than Acrylic.

My concern would be that Lexan might develop visible stress lines radiating from the attachment points. On my motorcycle windscreen, Lexan stress lines were 1/2-3/4 inch long. This was 30 years ago, so this may no longer be an issue with 'modern' polycarbonates. Second, it may have been that I overtorqued the attachment bolts to start the stress lines. Thirdly, the forces on a Boxster engine cover should be much less than 100 MPH winds.

As for the Poll, personally not interested.

I like the looks of old fashioned engines. Massive air intake structures on the modern engines are so boring that I hardly even glance under an engine cover anymore. Ok - I glance, but I don't stare and call my friends over to discuss what I see anymore. I went to a concourse over the weekend, and gazed again at the older engines - so it's not me. it's the engines. It all adds up to not really caring to show the top of my engine to the world.