As in the cryptic title, would It be silly for me to try and remove the two covers that are attached on the underside of the two side vents on my classic STi bonnet?

I understand they are designed there for a reason, probably to stop rain and bits getting in but lots of things are on our scoobies for a reason and we remove/alter them!

Would it help with under bonnet cooling or cause little electric gremlins to start a party under there

Has any one done it already with good/bad results

Lee

 

I think it has been tried before but no significant increases were found. I am sure there will be someone along shortly to clarify.

 

hi mate ive took mine of the drivers side for my hks filter been off for a year with no problems help with the heat under bonnet.

 

my p1 aint had none fitted for years with no probs, i get some good puddles behind the headlights when its been standing in rain but no rust or running problems.

 

How do you know?

 

took mine off my classic last year

no probs as of yet

 

Took mine off over summer, not very conclusive I know but saw more heat escaping from the vents when in traffic (as heat haze).

Then when it started to rain I looked at the water near the battery and fuse box and promptly put them back on!

Damo

 

Had these taken off my classic when i had it, didnt have any obvious problems.

 

I took mine off in the summer thinking it would make the difference ..
Sure enough ,sitting traffic you could see the heat haze and no problems with the running of the car..
However, someone told me at a well respected garage, that if you run at high speeds/motorway with these plates out it.
It actually doesnt help the cooling of the engine, as cool air is flowing in through the front grill, its actually being pushed strait up through the open vents,i.e minimal cooling at the back of the engine..In theory it does sound possible.And looking at the new WRC car, i would think its quite true.As they have big vent in the centre to draw the hot air away from the intercooler..
I took the advice, and stuck them back on anyway,as i was getting fed up with water getting inside the engine bay..

 

dont know how they are attached as havent looked, but is it not possible to retain the underside but have it spaced so that you have a bit of a gap sort of a half way house

 

If you have an induction kit, and still use a MAF sensor, do not remove the one on the drivers side.

 

Does the same apply for the mini induction scoops?

 

I would avoid the scoops that just dump air and water straight onto the filter. Some have an undertray that feeds air to the side. If the filter gets waterlogged, it will screw with the maf sensor readings until it dries out, as water gets pulled into the airstream and onto the MAF.

 

also all the hot air leaving the engine bay via the vent heats the air filter then your engine consumes hotter air...

 

how can u run wivout a MAF?

 

I've been toying with the idea of taking the mini scoop off and putting the vent back on. I think I will do it now. Thanks guys

 

Some aftermarket ECUs do not require a MAF Sensor. The MAF Sensor measures the air flow past an element ie the air going into the engine. This information is fed to the ECU along with other information and the ECU then decides how much fuel the engine requires for these conditions.
Without a MAF Sensor, the ECU is mapped without air flow but on alternative information, pressure, throttle position etc but the end result is similar.

As regards removing the under grill plates; for very little money, you can buy maximum/minimum thermometers from a garden centre. This will allow you to measure under bonnet temperatures with and without one or both of your grill covers.
Certainly on standard cars, 93-00, removing the covers will result in increased temperatures while on the move.

 

will an apexi ecu allow me to run wivout a MAF?

 

no, the apexi fc requires the maf sensor.