i dont see the point of the under hood insulation.

engines operate more efficently when they are colder.
something like 80% of an engine's efficiecncy is lost to heat loss.

if anytihng, more cars should have vents to get all that hot air out of the engine bay.

 

Thanks to all, esp to Jaimie to check for the insulation. Just to be sure, I called a mazda dealer nearby, their parts dept, thinking that if the 2.0L had it, it'd be offered by their parts dept. The parts guy searched and told me that they don't offer that for the 2.0L, they do, however, offer that for 2.3L and turbo (the speed3) engines, mainly for engine noise absorption, not for heat insulation (i was hoping it's used for heat insulation to protect the paint of the hood).

As for the engine heat, the engine cover is warm to the touch, but man the exposed engine mount (the one on the passager side, if you stand in front of the car, facing the wind shield, it's on your left), touch the engine mount bolts after driving, it's burning HOT!

Anyway, the parts guy told me that I could get one for the 2.3L since the hood is the same as on the 2.0L engine, he quoted me $130 plus fastners. If it's 13 bucks, I would get it, not for more than 130 bucks. no way. did somebody mention he likes to hear the engine roar?
________
Park Royal Condos Pattaya

 

no problems. its all because i love my car

 

I'm not placing a lot of faith in what the parts guy said. Why would the 2.3 be incredibly loud, and the 2.0 be quiet? I could see the turbo might be uniquelyloud,but the non-turbo 2.3 is the same as the 2.0 except for its size/displacement (ie. same aspiration and fuel deliverysystems).

My old Toyota did not have hood insulation, and the middle of the hood got HOT (and the paint was shot in that spot). My M3 gets merely warm. I wonder what the fasteners cost ... I bet you could buy some hood insulation off a wreck at a junk yard, cut it and rig it intoyour hoodif your concerned.

 

i dont think it does all taht much really. if there isnt one in my car that must mean that it really didnt need it. sure if its a turbo charged endgine or something along those lines that uses alot of heat then yea. but for a 2.0 its not a big deal. and im pretty sure that i will never need one.