Would someone like to do an experiment??

[SRT82ECOBOOST]

On a side note, the cover below the engine does one of the best jobs of keeping the engine bay clean of any vehicle I have ever owned. Especially nice with the heavy doses of sand and salt they use in the Northeast.

 

[ecoboostsho]

I'd want to see some performance numbers to back up removing that cover before I would do it.  While removing it doesn't seem like a great long term idea what if one were to create some cutouts with a mesh covering to keep out rocks but allow for increased airflow?

 

[68_GT]

I experienced the same issue as BDP Mike when I drove my car at triple digits speeds with my 2010 when the under cover was removed... The hood was shaking and not felt safe at all. Maybe it is different with the 2013 with the hood being different? That said, I prefer to keep it for protection from rocks or other things that could damage internal parts. Also, I believe that the airflow and aerodynamic is probably better with it. With Tstat170F and tune, my water temps are always under 180F regardless of the outside temperature. Even now, with temperatures in the 20's, it is always between 170-180F.
So, I really don't think the under cover has anything to do with engine performance. The faster you go, the more air you get and it evacuates anyways. When you drive at 140 mph, even with the undercover, the air is evacuating very fast believe me.
I ran at the track many many many many times (500+) with the 2010 and 2013 SHOs with and without the under cover and it makes no difference at all, beside the risk of damages and perhaps hood shaking and aerodynamic not as efficient.
Engine cover however is a different thing I think. It doesn't hurt the aerodynamics when removed, heat can evacuate better especially when not driving fast (between runs or at idle) and you save 1lb! lol

I think he's saying the added performance was from more airflow over the intercooler and some maybe from the lower engine temps, but certainly is noticing lower engine temps at 140 mph.

I got my 2013 upto 100-110 mph on a wide open toll road today and I noticed the hood shakeing. All my high powered Mustangs had hood pins. Would look terrible on a SHO but I had an aftermarket hood open up on me once at 70mph on my 708 rwhp Mustang.

 

[68_GT]

that also makes me wonder if our cars would benefit from a larger intercooler then ?

I've had over 30 turbocharged cars and EVERY one that I upgraded the IC on made noticeably more power. A few years back, I had a DOHC 2.2 Dodge Rampage that was running almost perfectly and consistantly for months. The day before heading to a race in Vegas, the IC size was doubled, it ran so much stronger I couldn't belive it :thumbsup: Turns out that it moved so much more air, it leaned out the AFR's and holed a piston in Vegas

The first thing I noticed peeking thru the grill when I got my Sport is how SMALL the stock IC is AND that it's not a very efficient design.  It has relativley few long tubes that run the length of the core, this style leads to high backpressure and higher temps than an IC that has multiple shorter tubes. I have one left over from a previous build that I think will fit after modifying the outlet to 3" and moving it to the other end of the endtank. I'm gonna build the downpipes first, have my exhaust guy build an entirely new system(I'm still collecting parts, I have almost everything but the first muffler I ordred isn't gonna work) Install the LMS tune and then install this IC. I'll have some feedback after that. Here's the IC.

dont you want to install that IC then have it tuned to be sure you're not running lean ?

I wonder if LMS can adjust my tune just for an intercooler by e-mail ???

Which IC is that and how much did it run you ?

thanks

 

[Night Hawk]

Sounds reasonable, but as earlier stated they engineered those panels for air flow and I believe the naca/nasa type vent is aimed at directing air to the PTU to keep things cool. I also heard of crazy vibration at speed with removal of panel items.

 

[68_GT]

what about removal of the complete lower grill to increase airflow to the intercooler ?

my 2013 had the sides of the lower grill completely blocked. I'm sure there is an aftermarket grill, or maybe a 2013 Police Interceptor lower grill that would allow for more airflow through the lower grill.

Are they easy to remove ? I might consider temporarily removing my lower grill completely and drive it to see if it helps any.