Notices
Exterior & Interior 350Z Body modification, interior styling and lighting

Plastic undertray problems

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 4, 2008 | 07:23 PM
  #1  
fklentz's Avatar
fklentz
Thread Starter
New Member
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
From: Spring Valley, ca
Default Plastic undertray problems

I've had the C-West N1 bumper on for a year now. I had make a part to connect the undertray to the bottom of the lip, I thought everything was going OK that way. A few months later I was on an empty stretch of desert and took it up to 150MPH for a mile or two. After slowing down to exit the road I now hear something scraping the road, it was the undertray. The connector I made failed and the front of the tray folded under and was just shot.

Ok now I ordered a new tray made another connector, this time with double the number of screws holding them together. That worked real well, although it was a pain in the a$$ taking it off for oil changes, up until last weekend. I was driving the I-10 from Palm desert doing 85 heading west into what I guess was 25 -35 headwind. After getting past the winds and slowing down every little dip in the road I could hear a scrape. I stopped and thinking the screws tore out again but they looked fine.

I drove home with little problem but could still hear the scraping a few times. Once home I lifted it up and found that the tray itself had failed where it is fastened to the metal brace it is made with. All I can think of is that the size of the grill opening of this bumper is so much more area that the stock under tray just can't take the force. So I just took it off and have been driving without it, no problems. I'm thinking of getting the ARC undertray, just waiting for a used one to show up here and grab it first.

Just wondering how many people run without the undertray?
Reply
Old Mar 4, 2008 | 07:26 PM
  #2  
taurran's Avatar
taurran
Registered User
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 9,482
Likes: 0
From: .
Default

I do it at times which I'm working on my car a lot. If I'm going to have it up on jack stands or at the shop I just leave it off. If my car is running right I'll usually put it back on because the front opening just looks better with it closed.

Oh, and I had issues with the back coming off on the back side of it so I got longer screws and check them to make sure they're tight every so often. I use zip ties in the front so it never comes off.
Reply
Old Mar 4, 2008 | 07:49 PM
  #3  
jonnylaw's Avatar
jonnylaw
Registered User
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,957
Likes: 2
From: Meifumado
Default

I use the arc tray.

There's more than a few on here that run w/out a tray, many times b/c their plastic tray had been trashed or they track a lot.
Reply
Old Mar 4, 2008 | 08:05 PM
  #4  
SpoilsofWar's Avatar
SpoilsofWar
Registered User
iTrader: (39)
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 1
From: Way North, New York
Default

I've ran without the tray for over a year when I had a nismo v2 front bumper. I have an ARC undertray now.
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2008 | 07:28 AM
  #5  
ZKansasZ's Avatar
ZKansasZ
Registered User
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Default

whats an ARC tray like? oem alike or does it have something else that makes a difference?
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2008 | 08:52 AM
  #6  
SpoilsofWar's Avatar
SpoilsofWar
Registered User
iTrader: (39)
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 1
From: Way North, New York
Default

^ Its made of metal, which is the best thing about it. It is supposed to aid in air flow under the car and cooling I believe. Heres a pic of mine (not installed)



Its actually silver in color, the blue is the protective film they ship it in.
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2008 | 09:02 AM
  #7  
ZKansasZ's Avatar
ZKansasZ
Registered User
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Default

Originally Posted by SpoilsofWar
^ Its made of metal, which is the best thing about it. It is supposed to aid in air flow under the car and cooling I believe. Heres a pic of mine (not installed)



Its actually silver in color, the blue is the protective film they ship it in.

WOW, ME LIKEY !!!

Definitely want this tray since the previous owner some how Fu(ked up the undertray and left me only 1/2 of it...
I was looking around for an oem one from some junk yards but have not found any...
How much is this tray if you dont mind sharing?
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2008 | 09:05 AM
  #8  
taurran's Avatar
taurran
Registered User
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 9,482
Likes: 0
From: .
Default

Originally Posted by SpoilsofWar
^ Its made of metal, which is the best thing about it. It is supposed to aid in air flow under the car and cooling I believe. Heres a pic of mine (not installed)



Its actually silver in color, the blue is the protective film they ship it in.
I very much doubt it will make any noticable difference in cooling whatsoever. In fact, you'd have a much better cooling effect running with no tray at all.

The only area I could see it helping in are durability and drag.

How much does it cost? I'm guessing $500+. ARC products are horrible $/peformance ratio in my opinion.
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2008 | 09:08 AM
  #9  
ZKansasZ's Avatar
ZKansasZ
Registered User
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Default

oh ****@500.00

if so then I will get an oem one for now then...lol@my cheap *** pocket!
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2008 | 09:11 AM
  #10  
SpoilsofWar's Avatar
SpoilsofWar
Registered User
iTrader: (39)
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 1
From: Way North, New York
Default

Originally Posted by taurran
I very much doubt it will make any noticable difference in cooling whatsoever. In fact, you'd have a much better cooling effect running with no tray at all.

The only area I could see it helping in are durability and drag.

How much does it cost? I'm guessing $500+. ARC products are horrible $/peformance ratio in my opinion.
Probably right on all counts, I only bought it because my plastic tray was destroyed, and a member on here sold me the ARC one for a total steal, and it was brand new.

They are ~$450 new, plus a couple hundred shipping (I know, lol)

I paid $400 shipped
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2008 | 09:13 AM
  #11  
SpoilsofWar's Avatar
SpoilsofWar
Registered User
iTrader: (39)
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 1
From: Way North, New York
Default

another pic, shows the construction better. Its a really nicely made piece. I'm sure you could find a place that bends sheet metal and have them make you the pieces and put together your own for a lot less though.

Reply
Old Mar 5, 2008 | 10:13 AM
  #12  
fklentz's Avatar
fklentz
Thread Starter
New Member
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
From: Spring Valley, ca
Default

When I replaced the first tray I got it from Courtesy Nissan, about $100 shipped.
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2008 | 05:30 AM
  #13  
Z1 Performance's Avatar
Z1 Performance
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (564)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 19,266
Likes: 5
From: Long Island, New York
Default

on the times where I've logged coolant temp, it goes up when you run no underpanel, down when the underpanel is in - plus the car gets a very "light" feel at high speed in the nose without the underpanel on

the ARC one is a nice piece - expensive, as all their stuff is, but fits great and much better match for a variety of aftermarket bumpers





some installed pics on my car ^
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2008 | 05:41 AM
  #14  
cdoxp800's Avatar
cdoxp800
Registered User
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,771
Likes: 2
From: Florida
Default

It's to bad that someone could not make a plastic one thats a bit thicker/more rigged then the stock one.
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2008 | 05:54 AM
  #15  
Z1 Performance's Avatar
Z1 Performance
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (564)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 19,266
Likes: 5
From: Long Island, New York
Default

plastic moulds are extremely expensive to make
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2008 | 05:56 AM
  #16  
cdoxp800's Avatar
cdoxp800
Registered User
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,771
Likes: 2
From: Florida
Default

Originally Posted by Z1 Performance
plastic moulds are extremely expensive to make
Wow. Did not know that.
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2008 | 07:30 AM
  #17  
ZKansasZ's Avatar
ZKansasZ
Registered User
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Default

so is it too bad to leave the under tray off the car?
Are you guys worry about rain/snow/rock/whatever it is that can possibly hurt our engine at all???
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2008 | 10:52 AM
  #18  
shingr's Avatar
shingr
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: tnt
Default

On the offchance someone wants to get rid of their plastic undertray in south Florida, even slight damage OK? PM me
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2008 | 12:35 PM
  #19  
luanta's Avatar
luanta
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: NISSAN 350Z
Default

Newbie here. Has anyone tried to dremel out the hole bigger so that access to the drain plug and oil filter can be done without having to remove the entire underpanel?
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2008 | 12:54 PM
  #20  
TheProfessional's Avatar
TheProfessional
New Member
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 0
From: Arkansas
Default

Originally Posted by luanta
Newbie here. Has anyone tried to dremel out the hole bigger so that access to the drain plug and oil filter can be done without having to remove the entire underpanel?
Cheaper and easier to use a FRAM sure drain... go get one from autozone for a few bucks and never worry about removing the plug again...
Reply



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 01:38 PM.