V8 Conversion question

[1bad914]

Have any of the V8 conversion guys cut out the sheet metal that holds the stock engine compartment seal. It would make the engine compartment so much cleaner. I don't think it serves any purpose beyond the seal and maybe the hoses. Juast a thought.

Randy

[BigD9146gt]

I thought it was 100% nessessary to do that, otherwise it wouldn't fit. Go for it, your not going to damage any structural parts and while your at it, take out the ones on the side to give you more room.

[914GT]

It's not absolutely necessary to remove it except for trimming away enough to clear the balancer. But I removed almost all of it and just left a shelf along the firewall to support the harmess. It does make it look cleaner and there's more room.

[skline]

I had not heard that you needed to do this, my balancer is not hitting but my water pump pulley is way too close, I guess I will try removing some of it and try to make it look good in the process. That would resolve one of my only issues and I can start moving forward again.

[sean_V8_914]

removing the entire seal lip makes more air flow from the bottom under teh car, up through teh engine cover behind the rear window...oops.

[914GT]

Sean - you do the video camera experiment yet?

[Doug Crooms]

You guys saying that it's best to remove everything that touches the original engine seals/tin , up to where they go verticle? Do I have this right?

Doug C

[914GT]

Doug

If you can make out these pictures maybe you can see how much of mine is missing. I removed about all of the metal shelf. In some areas it was rusted through anyway. I like it gone but I did have some hesitation taking the cutoff disk to it.



It does give more room and visibility to have it out of the way. Whether it makes things more accessible, probably not. More airflow also probably not significant. Some here think blocking it off is better. I think having it more open, and putting an air deflector under the car in front of the engine could allow more downward airflow at highway speeds. But if the low pressure area behind the window is lower than the low pressure under the car then that wont happen and the heat will rise. One thing I know, my engine is running at 190-195 at continous 70 mph or stop/go traffic in 100+ July Tucson temps. My engine has been staying spotless clean also.

[sean_V8_914]

yes sir. you have the flaps in front of the engine compartment. They have a significant effect on air flow

[John2kx]

All of my engine shelf remains in place and I have plenty of room for access. No problem with harmonic balancer or water pump clearance but this can vary depending on which balancer your using and where your water pump is located. I'm using a Renegade kit and it places everything (balancer, alternator, water pump, a/c compressor) so cutting of engine shelf is not required.

John

[John2kx]

left side engine bay

[John2kx]

right side.........my car came with dealer installed a/c and there was a bit of trimming done to clear compressor. It may not show in this pic but new compressor is located below engine shelf.