porscheEH!

Just asking because i took myne off for a timing belt job etc.. and now debating whether to spend the time to put it back on, it's in rough shape, there are big gapping corroded 3/4"ish sized holes where the 10mm bolts use to mount, and where the bolts thread into are broken and rusted bad.

Do i really need to put it back on??

V2Rocket

I've been running without one for a year...the only thing is if you go through a puddle or something water might splash onto your alternator belt and squeak for a second.

Wipeout

My car never had one...at least not since I got it. If you have a turbo, I've been told that it's needed for airflow, but I'm not sure about an NA.

porscheEH!

Yea it's an 83' NA, The only issue i was concerned about was the mud/sand etc and cooling air, i guess just make sure the timing cover is sealed, I also only have a small belt going to my alternator off the crank (no A/c anymore, no power steering)

sbyrne

Mine shook loose and fell of during the test drive (a front wheel was WAY out of balance)! That was a year and a half ago. No problems, but mine, which is NA, is not a DD.

Keithr726

If something gets kicked up under there you can crack your oil pan. I've seen it happen.

genikz

I was advised by the 944-Spec racers to put one on for better cooling. The factory designed the aero and cooling systems with it in place, so why mess with perfection

Mike C.

Not a big deal to leave it off but I do like the prevention of road debris getting kicked up into the belts area.

GodSpeed

Ive been using my 944 for over 2 years as a DD. Not one day has it had the belly pan on.

ausgeflippt951

The belly pan is the doohickey that fits under the oil pan, correct? Can someone post a pic?

PeteL

No belly pan here, going on 10 years.

Zporsche944

its the black plastic skid plate... I took mine off after a oil change pure lazyness... the engine does get A LOT dirtyer not though... kinda wish I put it back on... I was going to use plexi-glass and make a new one but I never got around to it...

ausgeflippt951

yeah there are two covers down there... after the batwing, there's the one that is immediately aft that covers the radiator/belts under-area, and then there's a second cover, covering the oil pan, right?


If there is a cooling benefit from the cover, I should get one. Anyone got one?

FRporscheman

The OP has an early 944, which has no batwing, and only one METAL belly pan (at least the pans on our 84 and my old 85/1 were metal).

From what I understand, the batwing is only/mostly for aerodynamics, while the main belly pan has a few purposes. One important purpose is to maintain the correct pressure behind the radiator, so air flows properly through it.

Luis de Prat

As others have said, the engine pan helps airflow for better cooling, protects from foreign objects and keeps the engine clean.

Turbos have 2.