Removing 5.7L Engine Shroud

[joey]

Is the 5.7L engine shroud just for looks, or does it provide some other benefit?
The SRT8 doesn't have one, so I assume it is only for cosmetics.
I want to get rid of the shroud to improve air flow around the engine, and to make space for an oil catch can.
My only concern is the engine heat might eventually destroy/burn the inner hood lining. Does the SRT8 have the same inner hood lining/material as the 5.7?

[fatchance]

It's all for looks, you can remove it and have no problems.

Originally Posted by joey

Is the 5.7L engine shroud just for looks, or does it provide some other benefit?
The SRT8 doesn't have one, so I assume it is only for cosmetics.
I want to get rid of the shroud to improve air flow around the engine, and to make space for an oil catch can.
My only concern is the engine heat might eventually destroy/burn the inner hood lining. Does the SRT8 have the same inner hood lining/material as the 5.7?

[kevenj]

Originally Posted by fatchance

It's all for looks, you can remove it and have no problems.

True, but the 5.7 is not nearly as aesthetically pleasing with the cover removed as the 6.1 is.

The plastic intake manifold plenum, complete with mold marks, etc. is kinda ugly. Not to mention the 2005 has spark plug wires going across the top, plus a whole slew of other electrical wires. That's why I left mine on. At least the '06 and '07 5.7 engines don't have the plug wires.

[shuman300C]

I had to remove mine because of the strut tower brace that I put on. It's not that bad if you replace the wires with the shorty plug wires.