When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Does anyone have a good condition belly pan with screws for the 86 turbo they want to part with? Also looking for a cigarette lighter with the cigarette figure. Please PM
What is the benefit/detriment to running without the pan? I bought my '88 Turbo 5 years ago and it did not have one and I never bothered to source one.
What is the benefit/detriment to running without the pan? I bought my '88 Turbo 5 years ago and it did not have one and I never bothered to source one.
The advantage is reducing drag if one was racing the car on track. Smoother air flow under the car.
Are the belly pans on earlier cars? I have an 83 944 and never had one. Is it supposed to?
Belly pans on any car (or cowlings on airplanes) serve a few purposes.
Drag reduction is one. Helps at any higher speed, not just on a track.
Directing the airflow for cooling is another. Often times the car will run a good bit cooler with them in place. Other times, the pans have ducts in them to direct air to specific places. Later 928s have ducts that direct air over the motor mounts. Without them in place, the MMs will fail prematurely.
Last is protection. While a simple sheet metal pan is far from 'armor plate', it's amazing how much damage they can prevent. Or even just keeping debris out. Again with the 928, there are cases where the car hit an object in the road and the pan saved the alternator or A/C compressor from damage. There are other instances where a missing pan allowed a plastic bag to get drawn up into the motor and tangle up in the accessory belts.
Bought my early '85 944 NA without one. Got a used one (aluminum on these early cars) and noticed the engine ran cooler with it. I learned later that it keeps air pressure from building up on the backside of the radiator which improves airflow through the radiator. I think the later cars (86 on) had a couple pieces in plastic instead of one piece aluminum. But, I could be wrong.
+1 to helping with cooling and moving air by controlling air pressure and directing air. It wouldn't hurt aero either. I've read it also helps extend the life of your engine mounts but take that as you will.
Here are the early ali, late plastic and turbo protective plates.
Bought my early '85 944 NA without one. Got a used one (aluminum on these early cars) and noticed the engine ran cooler with it. I learned later that it keeps air pressure from building up on the backside of the radiator which improves airflow through the radiator. I think the later cars (86 on) had a couple pieces in plastic instead of one piece aluminum. But, I could be wrong.
+1, for better outlet air flow from radiator provides lower coolant temps. I run my race car with no electric radiator fans and removed the fans mounting bracket which negatively affected exit air flow. No issues with radiator coolant temps.
The exit air flow path has more affect on total air flow through a radiator or oil cooler than entrance inlet air flow. Poor exit air flow path reduces the cooling capacity.
{snip} ... I've read it also helps extend the life of your engine mounts but take that as you will. ... {snip}
There is a modification needed to the aluminum belly pan to improve the life of the right side motor mount. The second louver from the front, on the right side needs to be reversed so it lets air from under the car in to cool the motor mount. Not an issue on the left side.
The pressure differential across the radiator determines how much air will flow through it. Anything you can do to increase pressure on the front of the radiator and decrease pressure behind it will help. A cleaner exit path can help reduce pressure on the back side. However, you wouldn't remove fans on a street car, right? The fans are needed when the car is stopped or moving slowly (low pressure on front of radiator).
My '83 has an aluminum pan..Also has the reversed louvers. They have a bunch of plastic ones and aluminum ones at Retro Automotive in Claremont NH...Major indoor parts warehouse for almost any P-Car..356's on up to Boxsters. Almost any major component... worldwide shipping..straight shooters. talk to Matt or Roger.
There is a modification needed to the aluminum belly pan to improve the life of the right side motor mount. The second louver from the front, on the right side needs to be reversed so it lets air from under the car in to cool the motor mount. Not an issue on the left side.
The pressure differential across the radiator determines how much air will flow through it. Anything you can do to increase pressure on the front of the radiator and decrease pressure behind it will help. A cleaner exit path can help reduce pressure on the back side. However, you wouldn't remove fans on a street car, right? The fans are needed when the car is stopped or moving slowly (low pressure on front of radiator).
06-07-2019, 11:44 AM
Belly pan
