newbie question

[Dynamite76]

Hello, I have a 924S that I bought for track service in HPDE, and will be driving the car 3 to 4 hours back and forth from tracks. Should I reinstall my belly pan? Do some of you leave it off? Do others use it?

 

Thanks

 

Paul

[944-Spec#94]

install it.

 

I know for fact that it works wonders on the 944.

 

Helps in 3 ways.

 

1) Airflow to radiator is improved due to creating a lower pressure area beheind the radiator. It effectively prevents air from under the car getting behind the radiator. On track the cars will pans tend to run a bit cooler and when we race in 100F+ temps we need all the cooling we can get.

 

2) Aerodynmaics are better. Less drag and possible some negated lift. I saw some text about how spliters work and could see how it might help reduce lift under the nose a little bit. Even so at worse it cleans up the air flow under the car

 

3) allows you run without belt covers. Protecting that area from debris is key if you run without covers. I like no covers on race/track cars since it is so much easier to inspect that way. Not really good for street cars that get the hood opened once every 1500-3000 miles, but great for a track car that gets its hood opened every 20-30 mintues of track time.

[Dynamite76]

Thanks Joe. Tomorrow should be mid 50's so I'll paint it up and get it back on the car.

[944-Spec#94]

Here is a picture of the metal under tray. I needed to cut off the sides that attach to the frame rails to allow room for the brake ducts

 

 

Note there are two bolts in the front at the radiator support and 3 in the back at the crossmember.

[Utah944]

since my car does not have a belly pan- can I make one?c Would that be legal?

[Weston]

My car came sans-belly pan too. Let me know if anyone finds a source on these...

[944-Spec#94]

since my car does not have a belly pan- can I make one?c Would that be legal?

 

Yes I would consider it legal. However it would have to match the stock one for overall dimensions and function. Making it larger or any attempt to make it "better" than stock aerodynamicly would not be legal.

 

I would leave to the local series directors to determine what would be considered "better" than stock.

 

Bottomline is yes you can fab one, but trying to take advantage of that and make some super undertray and it will be found illegal.

[DavidH]

How about fabing one that are the same dimensions but a little more heavy duty(metal vs. plastic)?

 

The late model ones are plastic and IF you ever have an OTE they are damaged easily. Ask me how I know

[944-Spec#94]

How about fabing one that are the same dimensions but a little more heavy duty(metal vs. plastic)?

 

Fine with me.

 

Just don't start making it in a 2" thick plate steel "skid plate" that looks alot like ballast.

 

Seriously guys you should be in good shape if your intent is to match what is stock. Try to build in some "performance advantage" and we will find it and take it away. May not happen right away, but it will happen.

[Spec-944#70]

Keep it stock. You have enough to worry about.

[DavidH]

I should keep my car on the track and then the stock plastic unit would be fine. The problem was not with the design but rather the driver

[Packfill]

I run an aluminum plate (.080) that is slightly larger than stock, so it completely covers my oilpan... in the case of a gator..or OTE, it will disperse the impact and hopefully save my oil pan...

 

I fully expect it to be outlawed in 2008.....

[944-Spec#94]

I run an aluminum plate (.080) that is slightly larger than stock, so it completely covers my oilpan... in the case of a gator..or OTE, it will disperse the impact and hopefully save my oil pan...

 

 

Do remember the cooling fins on the bottom of the oil pan help cool the oil. If you cover those cooling fins expect higher oil temps.

[Tim Comeau]

I have several plastic belly pans for sale. Let me know who needs one.

[hhdinyuma]

Tim,

 

I need one for my 83 if you have one that will fit. My car did not come with one I assume. Are there provisons for mounting one if not originally equipped? Can you bring it to CS this weekend?

 

Thanks,

[Tim Comeau]

Jim,

Well I'm glad to see you're not being cynical or negative in your postings anymore......

If it's a mod that improves reliability (survivability) and there's no performance advantage whatsoever, it's fine. I'll go to bat for you and maybe even help you market it if it's in keeping with the concept of making our equal cars better.

 

Hal,

I'm not sure it will fit well. The plastic pans have 5 rear bolt holes for the 5 holes in the late cross members. Up front? The metal pans have 3 holes in the rear. Maybe the center 3 of the 5 rear holes line up? I'm too tired to go look, buddy.

Anybody? Chime in and help out. That's what we do in the 944 spec class.