Hood insulation. - BMW Forum

Kevin325i · 07-09-2004, 02:21 AM

Well I'm contemplating the more weight reduction thing. It's very apealing because it's free mods. I've been looking at the hood insulation and I think it's going to have to go. Only problem is I'm worried it's going to be a little too loud and unbearable on a long drive or even around town. Any input?

Kevin

El Presidente · 07-09-2004, 02:23 AM

I like it, because of all the people that ooo aah about how cool the hood is after long drives. I'm not sure you would get that much more engine noise, since most of the sound is directed toward the outside anyway. Also, how much does it weigh? It might not be worth it or noticeable.

Kevin325i · 07-09-2004, 02:26 AM

I dunno how much it weighs, but it looks like it's enough to want to take it out.

Kevin

jllphan · 07-09-2004, 03:13 AM

I kinda think this would be one of those, I am really into reducing weight. Like if you repalced the hood and trunk lid with CF. Then I would not reinstall the insullation. It just kinda seems like it would do more harm (increase noise) then good at this point.

Remove all the insulation
All audio system removed
Take out your spare tire (if you haven't already)
And the aforementioned CF components

Now that would be noticeable

frank de jonge · 07-09-2004, 04:42 AM

I wanna take it off too (underhoodlining)

But I've heard that things could bake in the paint hehe. Dunno nothnig about this cause I did it with my old 320i and everything was just good.

You could also hear the CAI more growling then before

Mr White G · 07-09-2004, 07:26 AM

I'd worry more about paint damage than noise. I think it could crack the paint in a couple of months.

I'd say it was greater risk than potential gain. For the sake of risking yor paint job you might lose, say, 5 kgs........ just go on a diet for a week and have a big poo!

BlantonG13 · 07-09-2004, 09:49 AM

the increase in heat would cause paint damage (because there is no insulation)?

El Presidente · 07-09-2004, 12:29 PM

not really. Look at most american cars. Few have heatshields.

BlantonG13 · 07-09-2004, 12:52 PM

Thats exactly why I was puzzled by that statement

97alpineM3 · 07-09-2004, 01:00 PM

I might be taking a long shot here.. but the reason most American hoods dont have heat shields.... is because they are made with more metel... and are much much heavier.... so for us... or BMW in fact.. they reduce the weight of the hood... and add a very light but affective heat shield to keep the hood (paint) cool... and thus reduces weight of the production car...

Byron320i · 07-09-2004, 01:13 PM

The insulation on the hood is only there to help reduce the noise, it will have no effect on the paint.

Autotechnica · 07-09-2004, 01:32 PM

The M3 LTW/GTR doesn't come with the hood lining, no problems there. Most of my friends (including me) have removed the hood lining and they have no problems with paint peeling off or warped metal. It's strictly there for noise reduction.

After I removed it I noticed almost no increase in engine noise, and 4 cyl engines make a hell of a lot of noise. Kev, revmove it, it looks better. I think the plastic clips holding the hood lining in place weighs more than the actual hood lining (it barely weighs anything at all. I just removed it so I could clean and wax it, no salt getting under there.

Bry

BlantonG13 · 07-09-2004, 01:39 PM

I was just about to say, its hard to quiet down any 4 cyl engine. They are just loud with the clicking of the cams and so forth...why do you want to reduce the noise of a sweet intake anyway?

Speedy-325is · 07-09-2004, 01:59 PM

i have removed the lining on my hood. it was cracked/ripped pretty badly over time.
it is hardly a noticable sound increase so dont worry about it. when u hit the gas pedal, noone will worry anyway.

i dont know what this talk about the paint cracking is. its funny though. i mean if it were going to crack from heat then why wont a bmw hood die in Las Vegas or the desert where the hood outside is hotter than the hood inside. my car is black too!
i removed mine a while ago, and no problems at all. the whole engine compartment is painted.
it will not crack, so..... if the hood is the same paint..... do u see where im going.....
you have nothing to worry about!

remove and enjoy!

Mark
btw/ it probably weighed around 5 pounds/ 2 kilos.

Kevin325i · 07-09-2004, 04:47 PM

Thanks for the input. It's coming out in a little while. Right now I'm kinda pissed cause I just got shafted with like 300 extra dollars I didn't know I had to pay on the car. Is it wrong to assume when I ask my dad if I should pay for it with my money and he whips out his credit card that he's picking up the tab? Well now I can't pay off the car anymore like I planned to.

Kevin