Modern engines - getting physically larger?

[obi_waynne]

Is it me or are the engine bays of our cars getting fuller and fuller? This pic started me thinking,

In the good old days you actually had space to work on an engine. Now if they are not covered in pretty plastic covers the engine bay seems so full of computers, wires and servos that it is almost impossible to work on.

Perhaps it's just the fact that we get more powerfull cars as we get older so they will naturally be bigger.

Anyone else noticed this? Do you prefer plastic covers or nice chrome components?

 

[Prince]

I would love to have my engine bay fully colour coded and chromed out! Have that extra 'wow factor' when I pop the hood!

Here's what my engine bay currently looks like:



No point 'blinging' it out yet though.

 

[pgarner]

ive forgoting how empty the hondaa engine bays look like.

thing is people expect more from their car now.
air con and power steering, for example, are all wanted as standard now these have to take up space.

 

[nseries]

Its easier to work on the engines if there's much space on it and more parts can be added to the engine.Still love the old school supercharger muscle car.

 

[HDi fun]

It's packaging technology at its best. Look under the bonnet of a 1970's Escort and you'll struggle to find the engine. Into my much loved 1980's and you could still almost climb into the engine bay to effect remedial or general maintenance work.

Try that now. Under the bonnet is a place where no sane man goes (or lady, for that matter).

it's wedged with STUFF. Good stuff, face it, I like the things that cars offer now.

But cars are so much more reliable and self sufficient between service visits that it doesn't really matter.

I am the silly sod that had TWO Montegos.

 

[obi_waynne]

I wondered who bought the 2 montegos. I know a guy with a Turbo montego and by bending the actuator he is pushing silly impreza chasing power figures? What was it about the Montego that made the indicator lenses dissapear?

 

[HDi fun]

"What was it about the Montego that made the indicator lenses dissapear?"

Average age of the drivers being about 300 years. Note that if I hadn't owned a couple in my early twenties the average would have been about 400 years.

I, too, have heard of silly power figures from MG Turbos. Somehow I think the Subaru might just clinch the reliability trophy.

I only had the EFi one. The Turbo was an oddball in that it used a pressurized SU carburettor!!! Which probably accounts for the horrendous hot starting issues.