TwoPointFive-I Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 While driving on the highway the plastic underbody cover started shaking and blew off. The whole thing cracked. I negelected stop on the highway and pick it up. When I pulled over it was cracked so I knew I needed a new one. Does anyone know if its OK to drive the car with this piece off? How much does this cost to replace? What is the part number? see attached pics Thanks a lot http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q313/iamgr8tst/bottomofcar-1.jpg http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q313/iamgr8tst/IMG_2987.jpg http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q313/iamgr8tst/bottomofcar-1.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhatV8 Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 The only effect may be slightly higher engine temps, as you loose a bit of the venturi effect created by the shield under the radiator. I would not think it would be an issue to worry about, just keep your eyes on your temp gage when expressway travelling. I would have to think that cover is going to be a decent $$, since it is a large piece. Best bet is to call your local dealer and find out the part number/price. Have you recently pulled too far over a tire stop recently? This could have caused the front lip of the shield to pull out from inside the bumper cover, which caused air to get on top of it and pull it down and eventually break it. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pillboy Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Don't worry about it. I have had that POS off for a year and a half and have had no problems. It is still ugly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legacy05 Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 ^+1 not running with mine on either. It makes oil changes easier! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qikslvr Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 I think it's about $300 to replace. You might want to check with local junk yards to see if you can find a used one. I only run mine during the winter to keep salt and snow off my headers. It's held together with aluminum tape since it's all cracked my header melted a couple holes in it. It would probably be cheaper and better to replace it with a metal one from here: http://www.rallitek.com/alskle.html Let's kick this pig! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viss1 Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 I paid around $100 for a new factory tray from a dealership a few months ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qikslvr Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 $100 That's not too bad. The last one I bought was for a Lexus so that would explain the price difference. The rallitek one is $129.99 plus about $30 shipping. Let's kick this pig! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KA81 Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 It would probably be cheaper and better to replace it with a metal one from here: http://www.rallitek.com/alskle.html +1 metal > plastic might be a little more weight, but get it while the sale price is still going on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KartRacerBoy Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 I doubt the underpanel has any "venturi effect." The engine doesn't seem particularly vulnerable compared to a straight or V engine. The headers might be a little more vulnerable, but the exhaust has to come down and back on a straight or V engine, too, so I don't see the point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhatV8 Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 I doubt the underpanel has any "venturi effect." <snip> You may be surprised at what effect that undercarriage tray may have on the aiflow through the radiator/condenser. With how cost conscience car makers are today, I can't see them putting something as large as the underpanel on our cars without having a good reason for it. One of my first experiences with this type of situation was with a friend's IROC Slowmaro. He tore of the little 2" lip under his front valance with a tire stop one night. On his way home from that event he ended up overheating his engine, just cruising along on the side streets. Found out the cause was from the missing lip. Replaced it with some duct taped cardboard as a temporary fix and temps stayed normal. Turns out the lip forces the airflow under the front valance downward and causes a low pressure area behind it. This in turn causes the high pressure air in front of the radiator toward the low pressure area (i.e.- behind the lip) and through the radiator. The underpan extends back to the point of the front axles, which is lilkely a lower pressure area and enhances the airlfow through the radiator and engine compartment. Even my 86 SVO has a very small lip that sits under the radiator for the same purpose. You will get some airflow through the radiator w/o it, just not as much as with it. Just my $0.02. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRS Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 Believe it is for aerodynamics, mainly to reduce Cd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KartRacerBoy Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pillboy Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 I think it is to make the flat rate times longer (to remove and replace this extra piece) so they can charge more for service. It is still ugly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camber Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 Most under engien covers are there for aerodynamics(to lower cd). No real reason you can't drive around without it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoPointFive-I Posted January 21, 2008 Author Share Posted January 21, 2008 I chose to order it and have it installed at my collision shop. Total cost was 145. Guy told me that there were not making any money on the order. (there is always money to be made!!) Since the wife picked it up I didn't have a chance to look at it in front of the guy a. When I jacked it up just yesterday it looked like the piece was much bigger and was covering more of the engine and axles. Also, I am not sure if this was there before but the the oil pan is not as accecible as before. There seems to be a compartment that has to be unscrewed in order to get to the oil drop pan. It also looks like the lip in the front is missing. Is this a seperate piece? I'll get pics up shortly.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhatV8 Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Hmm, my 06 has a single piece panel. There is a swing open door for the filter access and an open hole for the pan drain plug. I wonder if they redesigned it for the 07 models, which likely became the standard replacement part. I agree that the aerodynamics also likely has a lot to do with the front underpanel. I would have to think that it would smooth out the airflow under the car quite a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 If you got one that is larger, extending to the jack point, you probably got the GT version instead of the 2.5i. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camber Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Maybe you got a turbo engine cover instead of an I? Not sure if there is a difference between the two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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