OK, this is a silly question... On every 3800 I've ever seen, I believe the valve covers were made of a composite or plastic material. This seems true, except in the case of the 3800 in the F-Bodies. It appears the F-Bodies have aluminum valve covers.
The silly question I have, is does anyone know why?
I have three guesses:
1. - Aluminum disipates/radiates heat better. Using this as an effort to keep the engine cooler.
2. - Aluminum may be lighter then the plastic/composite cover.
3. - It just looks prettier and helps "bling" up the engine on the F-Body.

I don't think I've seen anyone on any forum switch to aluminum valve covers (aftermarket or F-Body ones), so I doubt it's a worth while swap. Just curious what others knew on the topic.

 

I would just think it's to keep the costs down on our cars. There are engine covers and other things that just get hidden.

ZZP does sell polished aluminum valve covers for us, but they aren't cheap.

 

Arent those f bodies also side to side facing also?? And also have a different intake manifold/plenum, whatever its called?

 

yea the Camaro is RWD, so the engine is facing the opposite direction. And yes, the 3800 in the Camaro has an all aluminum intake manifold, and aluminum valve covers. Why, IDK....

 

I've never even thought about the Camaro valve covers to be honest. Something to look into I guess. Or you could get these:

 

Can't do Camaro valve covers on an L67 either- it would only work for L36's due to the injector holes.

These engines are water cooled, not air cooled. The radiator/coolant are what control the temperature the engine runs at. If the engine is running significantly hotter than you want for whatever reason (towing, heavy hill use, etc)- then you need to upgrade the radiator for one that will transfer more heat to the incoming air. Even if the engine were air cooled- I don't see there being a ton of extra heat put out from switching to aluminum valve covers.


I doubt it, especially cast aluminum. Even if they are lighter- the stock valve covers don't weight squat- there are tons of other weight reduction mods that you could do first unless your car is super gutted and stripped already.

 

sad to say this but probably the main reason is because it is a camaro compared to our w bodies. the engine does sit different without the cheap cover so thats one reason but aslo because it is considered a sports car and GM put the best into their best products which made them more expensive.

 

Yeah, I know the engines are water cooled. I threw the heat radiating from the valve covers as a theory.

The logic behind my theory is wondering if GM may feel on a Camaro they can get better performance from the 3800 by finding additional ways to let the engine release heat (or because half that motor on an F-Body sits under the cowl, heat builds up to much).
Plastic valve covers could possibly act as an insulator, holding additional heat on the engine (I'm sure it's not much heat, but if you're looking at every degree matters, well, the next step is find a way to let the valve covers release that heat).
Aluminum probably radiates more heat out then the plastic ones.

Like I said, it's a theory I had about it. Not sure there is any merit to the theory. I've just been curious, what made GM put aluminum valve covers on the F-body 3800 (so I'm throwing theories out, but I'm curious to know what the actual reason is).