prescott

OK

I took my 1988 928 S4 to get the tires balanced, and the idiot at (store name withheld) drove it up on the a lift and ripped the plastic aero body piece from the front chin spoiler. We tucked it up under the chin spoiler to get it home.

Is this part needed or do most take this off anyways?

Thanks!

MainePorsche

Not exactly sure what piece you are referring to. Is a pic possible ?

17prospective buyer

Wow... what a dumbass, that's one of the first things you think about when pulling a car onto a drive on lift, what kind of ride height, and will anything touch. I assume you are referring to the lower engine bay cover that has the special ducts in it, pretty sure most people here don't have it because of an event like this. Still if it was their fault, i'd get them to buy you a new one and make sure no other front end delicate stuff was broken.

Imo000

Not that important, you can live without it and never notice the difference.

fraggle

I would replace it on their dime. You can probably live without it for awhile, but make sure to, keep all the pieces. The ducts can be transferred to the aluminum replacements.

Nicole

Do a search here for "Belly Pan" - lots of things to learn.

Yes, you should have one; even if it is just to keep your engine bay cleaner and your car complete.

SeanR

Christ Imre you continue to show how much of an idiot you are.

The belly pan is there for a reason. Protection, heat dissipation, and it just should be there. What a flucking retard.

MainePorsche

Belly pan is a must. Heat dissipation a good thing. Pulley and belt protection a better thing. A walmart plastic bag around your alternator or a wandering soda can meeting a belt and pulley will definitely make you wish you had one.

FredR

Perhaps the OP can clarify whether it is the plastic belly pan that was gouged or the S4 chin spoiler which perhaps is more likely to be ripped off mounting a ramp [I suspect?].

If the belly pan, apart from the obvious protective merits and the notion that the belly pan helps cooling air flow [not totally convinced on that one but maybe], surely the important aspect is the "ground effect". Correct me if I am wrong but it is my understanding that this item helps the car suck itself to the ground when cornering at higher speeds [circa 90 mph plus]. Clearly we are not talking about eyeball popping suction here but a subtle enhancement nonetheless.

Have I got this wrong?

Also, I have the ally belly pan fitted, works nicely but I did not have the ducts available- if anyone happens to know the potential implications kindly let me know as a side adjunct to this post. Clearly they were put there for a reason that I cannot spot [cooling something?]- keep meaning to ask on that one.

Regards

Fred

MainePorsche

Fred,
Agree with you on the merits of cooling - not convinced yet.
I read here that the vents direct upward to the motor mounts as they are in a heat laden area. The author was one of the credible residents here, though I don't remember who specifically.
Craig

FredR

Craig,

That makes sense- I can attest to the fact that motor mounts suffer badly in our heat- even my solid rubber mounts failed- much to my surprise. I am hoping that Roger's Volvo mounts fare better- they work well when new- but would not be too surprised if they do not last too long. Stock mounts seem to last 3 to 4 years over here before they go soggy. At least the capital cost is quite a lot lower even if they last no longer.

Regards

Fred

MainePorsche

I drive my car only in temperate climes even though I live in the frozen tundra 5 months out of the year. I was, and still am, considering fabricating vents for the mounts out of sheet metal. Each vent would be in two parts, and the unit would be attached to the pan over the opening. I have much on my plate now, but when I get to it, I will describe it.

How do you like Oman ?
Years ago I was considering a position in Al Ayn in the Emirate.

auzivision

Needed you ask? I would suggest it's more like a "nice to have" item.

That said, I have a like new one that has been in my attic for about 10 years now... and I haven't encountered any ill effects. Others around here think it's more of a pain to take off and install every time you want to work on something.

Most you ask? I would speculate a high percent of 928 on the road today are not wearing a belly pans... in fact I would guess this number to be more than half (aka most).

This topic is subject to opinion and evidently the pro belly pan crowd showed up on this thread. However, I agree with the points that they should replace it since they broke it to keep you car whole, but at the same time I wouldn't be concerned about driving it around in the mean time sans a pan.

jeff spahn

Anyone have the dimensions of the belly pan. I want to fly up to Carl's place and get one of his. Knock out some flying hours and save $74 on shipping. Cost about that to fly or drive up.

Gotta fix in either the front door of my Piper Cherokee or the rear cargo door of my Piper Archer II.

Imo000

Holly $hit man....are you off your meds today?