Just curious how many of you guys leave the big plastic belly pan OFF below the engine. Doing a motor mount cable tie down and need to take it off AGAIN, and do it at oil changes, etc.
Does it really need it ???

 

It does 4 things :
1. streamlines the air flow a bit.
2. keeps nasty stuff off your driveway/garage floor.
3. gets in the way if you change oil using the oil pan drain plug.
4. catches all those little parts and tools you drop.

 

Sounds like 1 & 2 might be handy but 3 & 4 I could do without.
Looks like it might keep some heat in the engine bay too ?

 

Since heat rises, I doubt that.

 

ok ......off or on ?

 

I vote for ON

 

Keep it on. I took mine off as an experiment and you can't imagine all the dirt and grass that entered the engine bay and impregnated in the hood pad. Not to mention it really slows you down noticeably over 100.

Les

 

I could see that happening.

 

I disagree with #2 here
Mine is on all the time except when I do my oil changes
Upon removing it... mine has never had a drop of anything on the inside of it therefore I know I have no major leaks to be concerned about

The downside to having it on the car is that if you do develop a leak from the engine you may not see it right away

 

You are of course correct Gary. #2 was for all the unkempt masses, mine too is spotless as are the belly pans of all the other members who really care about their cars.

ALL RIGHT TROOPS ! LINE UP FOR A BELLY PAN INSPECTION !

 

My belly pan is nowhere to be found. Thanks dad I feel like I need to get another one but it hasn't showed any negative signs yet, and I try to keep mine under 85 mph so the above comment will not bother me I think it's a matter of preference on this one. It's definitely better to keep it on but I wouldn't call it necessary.

 

I found out my belly pan was utilized to hold oil container caps, six of them to be exact, then found an additional two more once I recently removed my front clip. I suppose it didn't surprise me oil was all over the drivers side too. They must have assumed using a funnel would of slowed them down even more.

 

I pass, it's always spotless. By the way, I vote to keep them on for all the above reasons.

 

I vote YES-Remove It. Box it up then sale it to me for my stock pile of parts. Squirrel Crusher

 

Mine is off as Iam under there lots.

It does slow cooling, as the heat in the engine goes up and the cold under it replaces it so it is a baffel to cooling. Other than me who is interested in a cooling race???

My hood allows better cooling when parked anyway. Enjoy Wdy

 

I took mine off thinking more air cooler engine. But after attending the mtg in MI and talking with the engineers about the wind tunnel results. I put them back on. I had noticed getting up to the higher numbers I was taking longer. There is a noticeable difference if you are going to do any half mile or mile events. It does serve to keep the under body streamlined. Take a look under any Mercedes and everything is tucked away nice and flat. That is for the air flow under the car. Do as you wish, mine are on to stay.

 

Finished the radiator flush job, glad won't need to do that for 5 years again ! And put the belly pan back on as everyone suggested. Also did the motor mount cable wrap too.........rest time !

 

I pulled the belly pan on my newly acquired xfire to change the steering stabilizer and also to take a look at the underside condition.
On putting it back last night I noticed that the two rear screws would not tighten down without feeling stripped.
I took a look up in the threaded hole and it sure sure does look like machine threads and not acceptable for the metal screws that I took out.
Anyone know what type and size screw for those 2 rear screws?
If I can't get any info, i'll just drill and tap to a #6 or #8 thread and go get a couple fender washers

Also the front center hole(s) is missing a fastener, I used a moulding clip and sheet metal screw with fender washer.

]Something tells me that another type of fastener is used there, can you guys shed some light on this before I button it all up and bring the car back to earth, thanks

 

The two fasteners in the back are the same as the front ones. The one in the middle is a push pin type.

 

They are one and the same in the rear as in the front.
The front ones are tight and secure when bottomed, not so in the rear.
The center clip would be ??? Clips, Moulding
or as the type at the link, you posted?
I' m undecided about the rear, it sounds like a clip on the underside, so it may not be a great idea to try drilling and tapping, thoughts?
Thanks