My '87 doesn't have a belly pan.

What exactly does this do for me?

Should I get one?

Thanks as always!!!

Jay

 

a belly pan helps in the areodynamics, and also helps the cooling proccess

 

And it protects your alternator, oil pan, and any other goodies from harm, if you hit a rock, dip, or other debris...

 

You can get nice aftermarket METAL belly pans from any of the Big 3!

JUST DO IT - THe dents in mine prove its worth in saving alternators and oilpans!!!

 

OK, ordered one from my favorite Big 3 vendor

Hope it's an easy install...... since there isn't one there at all now, will the metal one come with mounting hardware I wonder...

 

YES!

 

You might also check with your favorite big 3 vendor, and see if they have a used rear belly pan. When I ordered my aluminum front pan, as the rear was also missing when we bought our '87, I ordered an available used rear pan as well.
Hardware for the new front came with it, but the used rear didn't come with hardware, instructions, or anything else. I had to find the two rear mounting brackets, as they no longer were with the car, then figure out where they went, then bolt the rear pan to them, and the front pan.

A hint to the belly pan makers; design a removeable panel for oil drain plug and filter access. Dzus fasteners are preferable..... Removing the whole front pan, just to change oil & filter, is wearing the bolt holes out. Next time or two, and I'm gonna have to go to the next size screw, or somehow rethread the holes......

BUT! The METAL belly pans are a PLUS!

 

Jay,
Thank you for asking this question. I was actually planning to post it tonight and was happy to see you had already done so. My 89 s4 is missing both belly pans as well so I'll be looking for a complete set sometime soon. Used metal ones would be the order of the day. Just received my glossy 928 Intl catalog...nice! I recall a new metal aftermarket version is $225. Brett, I too am surprised that the aftermarket manufacturers have not designed the pans with an access panel for changing the oil drain plug and filter. Perhaps it would be an "easy" modification? Could someone please point me (via PM) to a good source for used pans? TIA

Tim

ps.
Jay,
Do you have any photos up of your 1968 Camaro? One of my all-time favorites...

 

I think I read somewhere that it also improves the efficiency of the air con too

 

I'll add another vote for a belly pan with a removeable panel for access to oil filter and drain plug.

 

The belly pans are probably too thin to offer much impact protection, but they do protect the belts from being splashed driving through water. Nice to see some aftermarket metal belly pans.

 

does anyone have a pic of the rear pan in place? ive seen pics of the front pan but cant visualise the rear one. how extensive is it and would it be possible to retro fit it to an early car?

 

At 928Int that run $225
Devek $250 plus $90 for some kit.

Who else sells this stuff?

 

I got one from 928intl and it is very well done and fit perfectly!!!

Would like to see access for oil filter as well

 

OK Y'all...I've heard enough about the access panel for the oil filter and drain plug on these belly pans. Perhaps we should now, as a group, get together with the Principals at the "BIG 3" (aka primary vendors for 928 parts, etc.) present this request. Perhaps they can speak to their belly pan suppliers about engineering in a secure, well-designed (rugged) access panel that would not require complete removal of the front and/or rear pans to perform minor service (oil / filter / tranny fluid drain / fill)?
Am I missing something here? I believe it might be a reasonable idea to present. But, given that I am new here and have not searched the archives on this issue, I am re-inventing the wheel?

Thanks for your thought / comments.


Tim