I could understand if the louvers on the heat vent piece were lower to force the air out but its not. Just look how it almost sits flush with the hold. I removed mine the day after I got my car.

 

i have a datalogger for ThermoCouples. it will logg two channels at one time for 6000 samples. I planned on doing some back to back temp runs and see if it makes any difference. i'll see if i can get this done this coming weekend.
data is your friend
Tom

 

Great, Tom, that's the kind of thing we need.

Regardless, you have to realize that the way you design the run matters immensely!
Obviously something as simple as wind or temperature change between runs can matter. I would think you want the engine thoroughly warm and heat soaked to equilibrium. The run you do leading up to the data run should be longer and equally well planned. Certainly some types of testing would be better than others to prove the point too. You really have to punish the engine to make a big enough difference to see in a small snapshot. But, hey, that's half the fun. Just my 2 cents (again)

I have a laptop for real-time and logging in my other car and it is fun to do these things . . .

 

Check this out, I think this will answer all the questions and debates over this issue. Personally I like the way it looks but after reading the press release I might put it back on. Lots of cool info on our cars too, enjoy.

www.mitsubishi-motors.co.jp/PDF-E/evo8.pdf

Cheers,
Winston.

 

I know everyone like to think that they can find simple design improvements that those 'dumb' automotive engineers just plain missed, but always try to keep one thing in mind: if it didn't do anything, they wouldn't pay to make/install the part. Every nickel is squeezed out of every aspect of car design.. even with our precious EVO's. I guarantee that some lucky engineer at Mitsu was paid to design and test that little fin. I also guarantee that it's there for a good reason. (I won't pretend to know anything about aerodynamics, so I won't argue it, but I'm looking forward to the thermocouple results.)

Rob W. ('dumb' automotive engineer)

 

Rob W, I have always gone by that saying. You should really only try to improve upon things that:

1) can be improved upon where costs inhibited a better product from being used or developed,

2) were added for the sake of excessive safety (which you nullify by being a punk *** kid like myself) or were added to keep costs down (such as using 2 parts just because one of them was already made, rather than integrating the two)

Short examples, but you get the idea.

 

well, since we can't seem to come to a complete agreement, I think I'll be leaving it in except when crusing on the weekends and car shows

 

im sure you dont want anyone to tell you that this is a bad idea, but i am that dick.

the ONLY thing i would really worry about with the hood is rain. I am not talking electronics, air intake, and of that blah blah. This actually has to do with metal. In the occurance of a quick shower, this could be BAD. If the water touches the exhaust manifold( and i am talking a lot of water, not spitting on the manifold) it could 'quench' the metal too quickly, meaning that it has been cooled too quickly and can start to make the metal brittle. This would have to be over time, and happen more than just once, but the reality of this is that it can happen. Then you have an exhaust manifold to replace.

All i am trying to say is that removing this section from the hood is fine. Fine for rally drivers, fine for people who do not drive much in the rain, and fine for those people who do not live in a particularly moist climate. For those of you whom this does not apply, just take heed to a slight warning, thats all.

Oh, and rally drivers can have whatever they want done to their cars. They do not have to worry about a warranty or money, because those things are taken care of by the manufacturer. This does not apply to me.

I will say though, it does look SICK!

 

I took mine out 2 months ago. It looks better with it out. You can see the red valve cover when standing in front of the car. I live in Vegas where it really never rains, so I think that's why Mitsu included it, to keep the elements out and still allow venting of the heat. I have not noticed any increase in engine temp and it has been over 100 degrees here all summer. I know if i have to drive in rain, I will put it back in, but that's maybe a few days a year.

 

Did you ever do this Tom? I have been taking my vent off whever possible (the car has only ever been in the rain twice) and I put it back in before washing my car. I can tell the car cools off alot faster after driving around town, but was just always curious how much cooler exactly.

 

If/when I get my EVO, I'll be leaving it 99% stock since I'm not an engineer and don't want to try and re-invent the wheel so to speak.

 

To each his own . . .

It's actually so simple it's ridiculous. Simple aerodynamics and pressure differences . . .

Just look at the rally cars . . . but yeah they don't have to keep dirt and rain off the engine.

 

Noticed more improvement during stand still after hard running. Easy and simple placing / removing so bad weather days are not much of a concern. Thinking about enlarging the vents on shield or maybe design something different...

 

Actually, they replace the motor on a regular basis.

Can you?

 

No because I don't ruin the engine--ha!

But with a lift, some tools, and an engine hoist, it would be a piece of CAKE !!