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.
I used a sheet of aluminum flashing for a while. Buy a roll at Lowe's or Home Depot. They come in the correct width. 10" I believe. Then you can just cut a piece and bend it into approximate shape and then the hardest part is drilling holes in the right place for the screws. I left the two end screws unattached, if I recall correctly and it seemed to stay in place just fine at- let's say, "high highway speeds", although you may need to add some bends for rigidity. It's ugly and flimsier than the real deal, but it will help keep things clean until you find a real one.
So I have never really looked at an S4 pan, except general knowledge of it having a longer profile and air ducts (I think).
Has anyone retro-fitted one on an S3?
I’m guessing it wouldn’t be conducive to try or more people would have done it already.
While it's not an absolute necessity, it's a nice thing to have.
It helps with the cooling airflow.
It offers some protection for the alternator & A/C compressor.
It keeps water & debris out of the accessory belts. plastic bags are reportedly easy to get up in there)
I didn't get one for a couple years. Ran to California & back without it, no issues.
Heavy rain didn't cause any problems, it was more puddles (and I try to avoid them if practical).
Like some of the other 'rare' parts, they show up from time to time.
I found one when someone on here mentioned that he had 'a couple sitting around'. Sent him a PM, exchanged a few more, agreed on a price and it showed up.
Keep looking, be patient, be ready to jump on one if/when it appears. Be careful of scammers.
Like snark,,,, I might just try to make one. With the assistance careful, precise and skilled eye of,,,,, ok, here it comes,,,,, my girlfriend. She gets into stuff like this IF she gets into it, lol... No shame in my game.
I'm already trying to warm her up to the idea of taking measurements to start the process of making a hip replacement for my fiddly, way to fragile, center vent. Oh hell...
That pic doesnt look VERY different from that on my 83 S - 7 fixing holes, outer 2 higher up than the front 5, cup under the alternator etc. If these are easy to get/steal/borrow, try one and see how close you get. Or are these Unobtainium also?
Had to do some panel beating in the alternator area of mine soon after I got it.
jp 83 Euro S AT 57k
PS Yes, this is NLA, Unobtainium. A search shows BC said he had some in 2016, or maybe Roger was going to get some made..?? Glad I saved mine.
Yeah, with the exception of paint vs. dirt, the pan in post #16 looks just like the one I have. It is off of an '82 or '83, I can't be sure.
So, are you saying that the 86.5 is different?
On mine, you can just see where some road damage actually wore through the pan. Looks to be where the A/C compressor would be. So it was providing some protection!
This does seem like a pretty simple piece of stamped sheet metal. I'm surprised someone couldn't reproduce something at least passable, pretty cheaply.
Jason
To my understanding, there are subtle differences in the short front belly pan from 78-86.5. Main and most important difference(in my eyes) is the scallop for the alternator. Larger Bosch alternator fitted to 83-84? and on needs a larger scallop. So, an earlier pan will fit, but will rub on the alternator.
If you are going to fab your own, account for this.
If you're going through giant puddles, the S3 pan isn't going to keep everything dry. It's not like the big 2-part pan on the S4+ but it will protect from some splashing.
As for bashing things on the ground, in addition to the belly pan (which I got from 928 International, so get yourself on a list, as they do occasionally show up) 928 Motorsports sells some aluminum "bash plates" (I don't remember what they are actually called) that protect things when you bottom out coming out of an inclined drive, etc.
As for bashing things on the ground, in addition to the belly pan (which I got from 928 International, so get yourself on a list, as they do occasionally show up) 928Motorsports sells some aluminum "bash plates" (I don't remember what they are actually called) that protect things when you bottom out coming out of an inclined drive, etc.
"Protection Plates" We invented them. Saves your alternator and AC compressor from bashing into the pavement on steep driveway inclines. Saves the "S" chin spoiler too (and they aren't cheap, either!)
One of the functions of the the belly pan is to accelerate the air under the surface of the belly pan while simultaneously keeping it out of the doghouse.
This in-turn creates a low-pressure area below the belly-pan which literally sucks the high-pressure air thru the radiator down thru the bottom of the car into the low-pressure stream of air which aids cooling, as well as reduces lift from high-pressure air accumulating and pushing-up on the hood.
06-21-2019, 05:52 PM
