E36 eliminating windshield wiper cowl

[JPJ]

It seems like even for full on E36 race cars after removing the heater core most people keep the close out panel behind the motor and wiper cowling at the top (mine had been reinstalled by the builder after the cage was put in). Since it’s all out right now for a new motor, wondering if I could just keep it deleted and have more access to the rear of the engine (will figure out holding up the wiring harness). I have the Hard panel filling the HVAC hole and it’s sealed to the firewall, and I’d cover that with heat barrier mat.

Am I missing something for what benefit that stuff is providing?

[aeronaut]

I'm kinda in the same boat.

Keep: Provides attach point for wiring harness. With hood closed it looks a bit better. It manages water drainage when sitting in the paddock overnight.
Delete: Cause RaCEcAR. Saves 3oz, and I've spent hours and hours deleting 0.3oz of wiring, so this is a huge win.

Not sure it really helps with access to rear of engine, that depends on how you (we) mount the wiring harness, and that's not moving anywhere without a huge re-wiring effort. I think the big enabler is: delete ABS and install stand alone ECU. Do those, then yea, game on.

[aeronaut]

By the way, if you don't get rid of this, this conversation is OVER.

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[JPJ]

How much would it weigh? Cabin gets so hot I haven’t been wanting to get rid of any more insulation. Just added heat shielding under the tunnel, but it was pretty light.

[aeronaut]

It weighs more than the cowling.

[BehindTheCones]

I kept it to manage the water drainage and as a bonus it keeps the engine bay looking tidy (matters).

[John in Houston]

I closed mine over with thin gauge steel. I used the area to route my S54 conversion harness so that the engine bay was cleaner.

[Michael9218]

Theory is the cowl prevents high pressure air at the base of the windshield from pushing into the engine compartment thwarting airflow through the radiator.

[Substance D]

I blocked mine off with some 1/8 aluminum. Much cleaner look, the plastic cowl was all faded and cracked. but no-where to mount wiring, get creative.