Coil pack covers

[Jez]

Do I really need to have the coil pack cover on my engine?

Was thinking of cutting it down and using just the rear part so I can still bolt the ignition amp to it, my thinking is this will make gaining access to the coils and plugs much easier without having to remove or losen the boost piping.

Anyone else done this? what ya think?

Cheers Jez

[M13]

You don't need to have it, but no cover will mean you'll just have to watch out for dirt/water in the coil/spark plug gallery more often.

Some people run their engines without them to help their coils cool down easier.

[Skym]

Ok on dragcars, but not on circuit cars or road cars. Especially in dusty environments or when used for motorway use. Or if you have a vented bonnet with no foam, etc to catch water.

[M13]

Besides, I call BS on taking it off for "cooling abilities".

These coil packs were designed to work in heat. Over time they age and misfire, but that's when you replace them and they're good to go again. They worked well over the last 15 years or so, so new ones should last just as long.


On a 700+HP drag car, take them off or do w/e because it probably sees more maintenance and clean up than your regular car.

[Jez]

I don't have a vented bonnet and I do have the foam on the underside of the bonnet.
It is a good weather only car, wont ever see icy or wet roads, unless I get caught out obviously, I should be ok right?

[Skym]

Bad or incorrect gap, heatrange sparkplugs can damage coilpacks more than heat.

Coilpack casing when it gets old, which is around 100,000kms (km when it's recommended to replace coilpacks) break along the seal between the 2 halfs (due to lots of hot, cold cycles) and because the coilpack mounting bracket is made of metal and is making contact with metal head, it draws the charge from coilpack, so little charge reaches sparkplugs. Sometimes they break earlier if car is driven hard (replace every 60,000km or less).

Some just dip coilpacks in resin to seal the crack between the 2 halfs and they work like new. Also some put some plastic or similar spacers / washers between coilpack mounting bracket, head. But I think plastic + heat = not a good idea.

[love_boost]

i fell for the coilpack overheating myth, im sure thats all it is.
anyways what i did i cut the centerpeice out leaving about 1/4" at the front and the back part by the ignitor and left a little room on the sides and found a peice of chicken wire looking stuff lying around at the farm. (only its in smaller squares) stuck it on. painted it black with high temp engine paint and looks better imo

so if its not a myth atleast its somewhat fixed lol

[BrianV8]

i ran my cover off and modded it for venting for a season and a half of racing they still died out on me. I have a proper cover back on them. Makes the engine look cleaner, coil will go no matter what IMO. If really parenoid go wasted spark and run a cover.

[whiteboy87]

i leave them off cause its easier maintence with plugs, i change mine every season. also it shows off the yellow jacket coils haha

[falcon]

I just cut my cover to use the rear 4 bolts and the mounting for the igniter. Did I need to remove it? No, not really as I had no problems with overheating. Did it help? Sure, I guess... but I didn't keep the car long enough to find out.

If you're really concerned about overheating and burning out your coils go with a wasted spark system. There is a HOW TO on SAU and it's very simple to do.

[J-Ran]

any electrical equipment with a laminated core will work better and last longer if it is kept cool.

[89Baysideblue]

regardless of myth of factual, i still feel that yea...no coilcover does bring the temps down somewhat even if the packs are designed with heat in mind, and like mentioned in my last post - i used to have my cover drilled out at each coil location with a 3" hole, but i hated it. run with nothing now and it looks great!! i dont see any debris floatin about either? as for water - (if) some got in there, im sure itll boil out in no time flat anyhow.

[cschepp]

89baysideblue dont you find thats just another thing to watch out for? And honestly I personally like it on just because it does make the engine bay look cleaner.

Also in the long run the coil packs that were originally in most of cars used to run good so after 15 or even 20 years if you have to spend 4 or even 500$ to make the car run top notch that should be a big difference!

[89Baysideblue]

i notice nothing in the coilpack area such as debris, nor water as mentioned.
not only that - but it is SO much easier to work on when needed. Now i dont need to remove all the damn intake pipes and whatnot to get at em. I like the look w/o the cover and wont be using it. All i need is to have the valve covers and timing cover painted to match my car.

[Skym]

Custom coilpack covers -

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/Coil-Pack-Covers-Rb20-2-t291973.html