Aluminum Plate over Engine in Superformance GT40MKII

[Chris Kennedy]

Hi:
I still have in place the large aluminum plate that attaches to the inside of the rear clamshell and runs below the window on my Superformance GT40MKII. It comes down to cover the engine (there's a cutout around the air cleaner). I am thinking about removing it, but have learned to ask, first, whether anyone knows exactly what this plate is supposed to do?

Thanks!

/s/ Chris Kennedy

 

[Brian Kissel]

Chri. Pictures would be great, but it sounds like a heat shield to help protect the fiberglass and paint from the engine heat . I’m sure someone will chime in but a picture would help.

Regards Brian

 

[Rick Muck- Mark IV]

We have had customers remove this to show off the engine as well as replace it with clear Plexi. It is intended to block heat and keep cooler air fri=om the upper scoops in the engine compartment.

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Thank you---I appreciate the information!

/s/ Chris

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Chri. Pictures would be great, but it sounds like a heat shield to help protect the fiberglass and paint from the engine heat . I’m sure someone will chime in but a picture would help.

Regards Brian

Thanks! When I am in my office tomorrow I will send one as it's easier to work off my main computer.

Regards,

/s/ Chris

 

[Bill Kearley]

How hot can it get in your area? I ran with this in slow traffic for about two hours at 90 deg. without a problem

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Thanks! When I am in my office tomorrow I will send one as it's easier to work off my main computer.

Regards,

/s/ Chris

Here are the pictures I promised. The first picture is of the plate looking through the rear window, while the second is of the plate looking up at it with the clamshell open. As far as its purpose being heat protection, one issue there is that the plate basically attaches at the base of the window and does not extend to the rear to actually protect the fiberglass. Also, this is the only Superformance MKII I have seen with this plate, so why aren't there bunches of cars around with burned fiberglass? I suspect Rick Muck is correct that its purpose is to keep air coming in from the upper scoops cooler, but the plate would block this air falling over the engine, unless it is intended to keep the air going into the air cleaner cooler. I appreciate all your thoughts (you may have to rotate these pictures as they may come in upside down).

Thanks!
/s/ Chris Kennedy

 

[Chris Kouba]

Do you have a Mk II? That's how they were built.

The Mk I's had a piece above the carbs to protect from heat, back-splatter, etc from the carbs. The Mk II's were simply built that way.

I wouldn't replace that with plexi as it's too close to heat sources and would likely sag and then potentially ignite. I think everyone's prior comments assumed you had a Mk I.

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Do you have a Mk II? That's how they were built.

The Mk I's had a piece above the carbs to protect from heat, back-splatter, etc from the carbs. The Mk II's were simply built that way.

I wouldn't replace that with plexi as it's too close to heat sources and would likely sag and then potentially ignite. I think everyone's prior comments assumed you had a Mk I.

Thanks!

 

[Brian Kissel]

I also agree with Rick and Chris on that.

Regards Brian

 

[Chris Kennedy]

I also agree with Rick and Chris on that.

Regards Brian

I was actually not going to replace it with anything, I was just wondering what it did and was thinking about taking it off. I think I will just leave it alone. Many thanks for all the replies!

/s/ Chris Kennedy

 

[Mike Christian]

16 years with P2120 a MKII. The metal plate was removed during the build and replaced with plastic by Olthoff. No issues at all. Just another data point.

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Thanks! Dennis Olthoff built out my car and mentioned that he had forgotten to ask me if I wanted the plate taken off as many people did want it off. At that time I didn't want to tinker with it, as I basically knew very little about the car. Given the lack of a shop manual for these cars that might explain things, I have found myself calling High Tech Automotive in South Africa, and one time I spoke with the head of engineering on an issue. Perhaps I need to do that again.

Regards and thanks,

/s/ Chris