Spddracer Aluminum Undertray Installation DIY & Review
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,580
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From: Los Angeles
Review
As you might have known Joe (Spddracer) have been introducing to us a few prototypes of his aluminum undertray. I was fortunate enough to have the first production prototype to test fit and report back to you guys the quality and fitment as well as any bonus benefits of this piece.
Review:
Initial Concern: During my initial communication with Joe my main concern was the GT Spec front lower brace. This brace has been a headache as it blocks my ARC undertray's opening for oil changes. I'm glad to say that Joe has made the panel door large enough for oil changes even with the GT Spec bar!
First Impression: The package was well packed and beautifully shipped. Took about a week to arrive as it is a big piece! It is bubble wrapped and foam padded to ensure the safety of the product.
Quality of the product: This is definitely a QUALITY piece. The edges are not sharp so it's safe for handling. The aluminum is thick and sturdy. A hardware kit is included with everything you need for install - this is an excellent service point because although it is not necessary (you can reuse stock pieces), Joe made a point to include new hardware
big thumbs up for that! Fitment is GREAT! No issues there - see installation directions for ease of installation.
Comparison with the only other undertrays - ARC and stock: This tray is a HUGE improvement over the junky piece of plastic Nissan calls an undetray
As for the ARC, it is a head-to-head comparison.
ARC Pros:
-Beautifully crafted
-One piece construction
-Air fins for cooling
ARC Cons:
-Price
-Not compatible with GT Spec brace (can't do oil change without taking the entire undertray out if you got a gtspec bar)
ARC piece:

Spddracer Pros:
-Sturdy Construction
-Great service since it's ordered directly from the maker
-GREAT price!
-Huge improvement over stock and increased bumper (especially aftermarket) sturdiness.
-Door with large opening for oil changes even with gt spec brace
Spddracer Cons:
-No airfins
-Two piece construction


As you can see, BOTH has great pros and a few cons. I'm glad that someone made a quality undertray for the average user. My ARC was nice but the lack of a large enough opening for my oil changes without having to remove the entire tray (same problem as stock). I would not hesitate to order one unless you really want the JDM bling


Installation
This installation is VERY simple: it's basically a remove your stock piece and install your new undertray but I will provide basic instructions for you guys to make things go smoother!
*****Please do at your own safety/risks*****
Required tools
-10mm socket
-Sock wrench
-Pliers
-Jack
-Jackstands
Before you begin, CHECK your hardwares!

1. Jack up your Z (properly according to the manual please....we wouldn't want anyone getting hurt)
2. Remove the 15 or so screws holding your plastic undertray
3. Use pliers to remove any hardware that might have been stuck on the stock bumper
4. Install FRONT piece first

5. Install REAR piece (see stock photo from Joe's installation instructions)

6. Tighten everything down and you're all good to go!



Installation directions from Joe:


As you might have known Joe (Spddracer) have been introducing to us a few prototypes of his aluminum undertray. I was fortunate enough to have the first production prototype to test fit and report back to you guys the quality and fitment as well as any bonus benefits of this piece.
Review:
Initial Concern: During my initial communication with Joe my main concern was the GT Spec front lower brace. This brace has been a headache as it blocks my ARC undertray's opening for oil changes. I'm glad to say that Joe has made the panel door large enough for oil changes even with the GT Spec bar!
First Impression: The package was well packed and beautifully shipped. Took about a week to arrive as it is a big piece! It is bubble wrapped and foam padded to ensure the safety of the product.
Quality of the product: This is definitely a QUALITY piece. The edges are not sharp so it's safe for handling. The aluminum is thick and sturdy. A hardware kit is included with everything you need for install - this is an excellent service point because although it is not necessary (you can reuse stock pieces), Joe made a point to include new hardware
big thumbs up for that! Fitment is GREAT! No issues there - see installation directions for ease of installation. Comparison with the only other undertrays - ARC and stock: This tray is a HUGE improvement over the junky piece of plastic Nissan calls an undetray
As for the ARC, it is a head-to-head comparison. ARC Pros:
-Beautifully crafted
-One piece construction
-Air fins for cooling
ARC Cons:
-Price
-Not compatible with GT Spec brace (can't do oil change without taking the entire undertray out if you got a gtspec bar)
ARC piece:

Spddracer Pros:
-Sturdy Construction
-Great service since it's ordered directly from the maker
-GREAT price!
-Huge improvement over stock and increased bumper (especially aftermarket) sturdiness.
-Door with large opening for oil changes even with gt spec brace
Spddracer Cons:
-No airfins
-Two piece construction


As you can see, BOTH has great pros and a few cons. I'm glad that someone made a quality undertray for the average user. My ARC was nice but the lack of a large enough opening for my oil changes without having to remove the entire tray (same problem as stock). I would not hesitate to order one unless you really want the JDM bling



Installation
This installation is VERY simple: it's basically a remove your stock piece and install your new undertray but I will provide basic instructions for you guys to make things go smoother!
*****Please do at your own safety/risks*****
Required tools
-10mm socket
-Sock wrench
-Pliers
-Jack
-Jackstands
Before you begin, CHECK your hardwares!

1. Jack up your Z (properly according to the manual please....we wouldn't want anyone getting hurt)
2. Remove the 15 or so screws holding your plastic undertray
3. Use pliers to remove any hardware that might have been stuck on the stock bumper
4. Install FRONT piece first

5. Install REAR piece (see stock photo from Joe's installation instructions)

6. Tighten everything down and you're all good to go!




Installation directions from Joe:

Last edited by AlvinHuyN; Oct 1, 2009 at 06:53 PM.
Hey all, This is Spddracer on my new Vendor name "CuztomPartZ"
Looks like I may ship them already assembled so there are no mistakes on how it goes together.
I will be posting my ad in the Vendors section sometime this weekend.
Thanks for all the support and thanks to Alvin for the nice writeup and pictures!
Looks like I may ship them already assembled so there are no mistakes on how it goes together.
I will be posting my ad in the Vendors section sometime this weekend.
Thanks for all the support and thanks to Alvin for the nice writeup and pictures!
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Nice job on a quality product. I'm glad someone stepped up to the plate on this. I'll be picking one of these up from you soon. Also any plans on fabricating some front wheel well peices? I think they may be a popular seller as well.
They are spaced off the lower core area and at the rear to allow them to vent.
You don't want too much vent in the front piece as you want that air going threw your radiator core to cool, Not under the car.
The rear piece will do the venting from there out the sides and threw the spaced rear area moving the air under the oil pan to help cool that also.
This will move much more air than the OEM piece allows.
Ad is up in the vendors section, I have the first batch of 30 done and more on the way.
Thanks everyone!
https://my350z.com/forum/body-exteri...ml#post7803588
Thanks everyone!
https://my350z.com/forum/body-exteri...ml#post7803588
Some of the hardware comes with the shield, There are 10 bolts and 10 U-nuts for the fascia and side splash shields that are not included. You can reuse the OE hardware if yours is in good shape.
For reference, Alvins car has the version 1 GTspec tie bar and not the lower V2 tie bar.
From what I can tell, The newer versions sits much lower on the car and may not allow enough clearance to install this shield without modification.
From what I can tell, The newer versions sits much lower on the car and may not allow enough clearance to install this shield without modification.




