Plastic undertray problems
03-04-2008, 07:23 PM
#1
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$$ taking it off for oil changes, up until last weekend. I was driving the I-10 from Palm desert doing 85 heading west into what I guess was 25 -35 headwind. After getting past the winds and slowing down every little dip in the road I could hear a scrape. I stopped and thinking the screws tore out again but they looked fine.
I drove home with little problem but could still hear the scraping a few times. Once home I lifted it up and found that the tray itself had failed where it is fastened to the metal brace it is made with. All I can think of is that the size of the grill opening of this bumper is so much more area that the stock under tray just can't take the force. So I just took it off and have been driving without it, no problems. I'm thinking of getting the ARC undertray, just waiting for a used one to show up here and grab it first.
Just wondering how many people run without the undertray?
Ok now I ordered a new tray made another connector, this time with double the number of screws holding them together. That worked real well, although it was a pain in the a$$ 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?
03-04-2008, 07:26 PM
#2
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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.
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.
03-05-2008, 09:02 AM
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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.
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?
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03-05-2008, 09:05 AM
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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.
Its actually silver in color, the blue is the protective film they ship it in.
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.
03-05-2008, 09:11 AM
#10
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.
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.
They are ~$450 new, plus a couple hundred shipping (I know, lol)
I paid $400 shipped
03-06-2008, 05:30 AM
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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 ^
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 ^
04-18-2008, 12:35 PM
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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?
04-18-2008, 12:54 PM
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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?