Why do they need a powerdome hood?

jonasaurus · 01-19-2011, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken37.73

Apparently they tried to lower the engine but something got in the way. What was this they called it, oh yeah, it was the ground.

sameh · 01-19-2011, 05:08 AM

Just like the manHOOD, an M3HOOD also bulges!!

Mjolnir · 01-19-2011, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwm5e60

The power dome is there for one reason only - to leave enough space between the hood and engine to provide enough deformation zone area to meet governments pedestrian collision protection laws.

Plausible.

stevenross · 01-19-2011, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5erman

I am not understanding why bmw could not contain their "massive" (jk) 4 litre V8 in the engine compartment without it sticking up so high as to require a domed hood. I like the dome cosmetically but functionally its sad that the engine sits up so high, especially for such a compact lightweight engine.

Much smaller cars stuff MUCH bigger engines in without the need for a special hood.

I guess I am wondering why did they not put the engine lower?

this thread is super funny.. and really a waste of time..

RandyB · 01-19-2011, 06:53 AM

The powertrain engineers found a little more torque when they raised the roof of the plenum so the hood had to be raised to accommodate it. Form does follow function in this particular case.

creepy coupe · 01-19-2011, 07:35 AM

If BMW had of dry sumped the V8, the engine could have been set lower in the car. Aside from the engines height, I would have liked it if they had of dry sumped it.

Ken37.73 · 01-19-2011, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mjolnir

Plausible.

I'd go with that too.

BKMK5 · 01-19-2011, 08:08 AM

In the M3's GT2 car...you know the car that won how many races world wide including the 24hr Nurburgring.... yea, that engine is only dropped .4 inches lower than a stock M3.

Theres only so much you can hide your buldge before your nuts hang out the bottom!

Erhan · 01-19-2011, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BKMK5

Theres only so much you can hide your buldge before you nuts hang out the bottom!

You mean like the stock exhaust system?

Gkap · 01-19-2011, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PKL

Whether it's needed or not, it is sexy.

x2

John Tanglewood · 01-19-2011, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dengel

Because it looks fcking badass. Need i say more?

Dude the powerdome hood is a constant reminder that you drive a beast.

Who cares!? get an 335i hood if you care that much (anyone have a photoshop of this?!

mr_yogi · 01-19-2011, 09:46 AM

There's actually a video out there (I tried looking for it but couldn't find it) that has the engineers talking about the form/function. They specifically speak to the powerdome. IIRC, they said that they need more airflow to the engine and the designers answer was the powerdome. Again, it's IIRC. If anyone does care enough, the video is out there somewhere...

AMPowerJ · 01-19-2011, 10:12 AM

If it bothers you fix the problem with this ...

bruce.augenstein@comcast. · 01-19-2011, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5erman

I am not understanding why bmw could not contain their "massive" (jk) 4 litre V8 in the engine compartment without it sticking up so high as to require a domed hood. I like the dome cosmetically but functionally its sad that the engine sits up so high, especially for such a compact lightweight engine.

Much smaller cars stuff MUCH bigger engines in without the need for a special hood.

I guess I am wondering why did they not put the engine lower?

Moderately hazy memory tell me that the M3 engine is mounted about as low as is practical without a dry-sump system.

A couple of years back, I became interested in the relative sizes of the small-block Chevy vs the M3 engine, and embarassed my bride at an auto show by flopping around and under an M3, SS Camaro and Vette while on my quest.

I seem to remember that the Camaro and M3 were similar in terms of pan-to-road clearance, while the Vette was just a tad lower.

Bottom line: The M3 engine is quite tall, because of the massive, twin-cam cylinder heads, and because of the complex intake system.

Bruce

PS - The quest resulted in me stating that a slightly more compact and slightly lighter Chevy LS3 installed in an M3 would make for a better overall car - which in turn resulted in tons of Internet-equivalent overripe fruits and vegetables being hurled at my head by the resident faithful.

Great fun, all in all.

mPlasticDesign · 01-19-2011, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poleposition

really?

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5erman

thanks for the useless response. Yes, really......

You have so many useless posts you must be accustomed to the useless responses by now.

sameh · 01-19-2011, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruce.augenstein@comcast.

The quest resulted in me stating that a slightly more compact and slightly lighter Chevy LS3 installed in an M3 would make for a better overall car - which in turn resulted in tons of Internet-equivalent overripe fruits and vegetables being hurled at my head by the resident faithful.

May I add raw eggs and used toilet papers to the long list of items thrown at you for saying that.

5erman · 01-19-2011, 12:19 PM

How is this useless when there was something to be learned about the car that u did not know. The reason why our engine has the dimensions are is good info to most

eMvy · 01-19-2011, 12:49 PM

Go to roughly 2:29 in this video. A gent from the M division explains why the powerdome exists. A request from the engineers...

Poleposition · 01-19-2011, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5erman

How is this useless when there was something to be learned about the car that u did not know. The reason why our engine has the dimensions are is good info to most

our engine???

sensi09 · 01-19-2011, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eMvy

Go to roughly 2:29 in this video. A gent from the M division explains why the powerdome exists. A request from the engineers...

Nice vid

popo-meter LOL

SUB-ZERO · 01-19-2011, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5erman

I am not understanding why bmw could not contain their "massive" (jk) 4 litre V8 in the engine compartment without it sticking up so high as to require a domed hood. I like the dome cosmetically but functionally its sad that the engine sits up so high, especially for such a compact lightweight engine.

Much smaller cars stuff MUCH bigger engines in without the need for a special hood.

I guess I am wondering why did they not put the engine lower?

Watch the BMW M video...they explain it there. The video came to you in the mail or you can see it at the BMW site. Clue...it has to do with torque.

-SZ

Doctor J · 01-19-2011, 01:50 PM

The reason they put the bulge on the hood is to make you look and wonder what is underneath that bulge

Like this:

01-19-2011, 05:08 AM	#46
sameh Lieutenant Colonel 171 Rep 1,530 Posts Drives: 2015 Porsche 911S Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Just like the manHOOD, an M3HOOD also bulges!! __________________ 2011 E92 JB/BL/DCT--->80K Miles 2015 F80 SS/SO/DCT?->28K Miles 2015 Porsche 911S
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01-19-2011, 06:53 AM	#49
RandyB Lieutenant Colonel 20 Rep 1,504 Posts Drives: '03 330i, '09 M3 Coupe Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	The powertrain engineers found a little more torque when they raised the roof of the plenum so the hood had to be raised to accommodate it. Form does follow function in this particular case. __________________ '09 E92 M3 6MT \| Alpine White \| Black Leather \| EDC \| CL Trim \| 19s '03 E46 330i 6MT \| Electric Red \| Black Leather \| ZSP \| Bi-Xenons
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01-19-2011, 07:35 AM	#50
creepy coupe Lieutenant General 1867 Rep 13,043 Posts Drives: BMW M340I G20 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 435d [0.00] 2009 335i [0.00]	If BMW had of dry sumped the V8, the engine could have been set lower in the car. Aside from the engines height, I would have liked it if they had of dry sumped it.
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01-19-2011, 08:08 AM	#52
BKMK5 First Lieutenant 29 Rep 344 Posts Drives: 2019 MB C43 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	In the M3's GT2 car...you know the car that won how many races world wide including the 24hr Nurburgring.... yea, that engine is only dropped .4 inches lower than a stock M3. Theres only so much you can hide your buldge before your nuts hang out the bottom! Last edited by BKMK5; 01-19-2011 at 09:40 AM..
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01-19-2011, 09:46 AM	#56
mr_yogi Lieutenant 22 Rep 499 Posts Drives: Success Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	There's actually a video out there (I tried looking for it but couldn't find it) that has the engineers talking about the form/function. They specifically speak to the powerdome. IIRC, they said that they need more airflow to the engine and the designers answer was the powerdome. Again, it's IIRC. If anyone does care enough, the video is out there somewhere...
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01-19-2011, 10:12 AM	#57
AMPowerJ One mod leads to another ... 416 Rep 2,900 Posts Drives: 2014 F10 M5 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Blythewood, SC iTrader: (10)	If it bothers you fix the problem with this ... Attached Images __________________ Current: 2014 F10 M5 Previous: 2015 F80 M3, 2013 E92 M3, 2013 F10 M5, 2009 E90 M3, 1998 E36 M3
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01-19-2011, 12:19 PM	#61
5erman Banned 35 Rep 323 Posts Drives: black 5 series Join Date: May 2009 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	How is this useless when there was something to be learned about the car that u did not know. The reason why our engine has the dimensions are is good info to most
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01-19-2011, 12:49 PM	#62
eMvy First Lieutenant 131 Rep 371 Posts Drives: Bimmers Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: 37°14'5.62"N 115°48'38.95"W iTrader: (0)	Go to roughly 2:29 in this video. A gent from the M division explains why the powerdome exists. A request from the engineers...
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01-19-2011, 01:50 PM	#66
Doctor J Captain 33 Rep 741 Posts Drives: 2010 E93 M3 DCT Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Vancouver BC iTrader: (0)	The reason they put the bulge on the hood is to make you look and wonder what is underneath that bulge Like this: __________________ 2010 BMW M3 vert with DCT & Akra (sold) 2012 Porsche 911 Turbo S
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