I removed the engine protection tray from my car today. Debating rather I should leave it off or not. Can anyone share there experience or advice regarding the protection tray.

thanks
Mike

 

FWIW, my car runs without the engine tray. Has been since the '97 993 engine went in 6/2000.

Of course, I don't have a choice. My old 964 tray wouldn't fit on the 993 engine, and the 993 engine didn't come with a tray (probably wouldn't fit, anyway).

 

Mike,

Mine stays off in the summers (90+ degree days, DE events, etc.) and goes back on in the late fall / early winter to help the car reach operating temperature more quickly on my typical short commute. I also hope that it keeps some of the occasional road salt off the engine components until I can rinse it (wishful thinking?).

 

Check the archives; many discussions.

In general on a 993 it doesn't make much difference. On 964 concensus is leave it off to prevent overheating the exhasust side of the engine.

 

Ray,

You may be correct about the lack of significant negative impact on the 993, but my car runs significantly cooler in the summers without the tray in place - particularly on the track and in stop-and-go traffic. Can't hurt.

 

Thinks for the info guys! I was cleaning up the tray and noticed it had several scrapes on the bottom of it so I decided to put it back on. It appears a some point it has at least served the purpose of absorbing some impacts.

Thanks
Mike

 

Guys,

I think that if you partake in track days, and spend a large proportion of your driving in traffic, it is a good idea to remove the undertray.

We have had 993 engines with worn guides as low as 27,000 miles that have been subject to high engine bay temperatures with the tray fitted.

For winter use, it is probably a good idea to reinstall, to help keep salt etc. off of the underside of the engine.

 

Gentlemen:

If you leave that engine undertray off, you engine will thank you profusely and live a much longer, healthier, happier, and more powerful life.

High-Temperature, oil or cylinder heads, is the enemy of any air-cooled engine. This should never be forgotten.

 

I'm a little confused here.
I completley understand the advantages of not having the engine tray on.

But the obvious question is why, if it is detrimental to the engine, would the Porsche engineers have designed and installed such a piece.

Is this all about getting engine temperatures up to help with meeting emission levels? Or could it be to improve airflow and handling characteristics? Or is it simply to shield the engine from debris? It must have some purpose?

 

The lore is that the engine tray was installed to help the 964 pass the Swiss drive-by noise limitations (which are more strict than the ROW). Since removing the tray on my 964, I have definitely noticed more engine noise (especially when driving next to a wall or high curb that reflects the noise back). However, I think that the engine longevity benefits are worth the additional noise.

 

High-Temperature, oil or cylinder heads, is the enemy of any air-cooled engine. This should never be forgotten.

Unplugging the oil temp sensor switch and running that fan in high has my engine singin'! Best piece of advice I've found yet...other than acquiring the awesome 993

 

High,
Why not comprimise? On my 1991 I used a hack saw to cut off the amount that covers the muffler(about 6") and I drilled 3 1" holes on each side in the front of the tray(part closest to front when installed) and four 1" holes in the middle to increase air flow. Runs cooler still protected.

 

George,

How could you cut up your engine tray? Now you'll never find a buyer for the tray, if you ever decide to sell it! I understand there's a robust, lucrative market for used 964/993 engine trays.

 

High,
C,mon Randall, u should know me better than that by now! what do those things go for new?

ps.I got a spare , and the airbox i drilled; I have 3 extras

 

I hope my sarcasm didn't go unnoticed! I imagine the market for used engine trays is about as robust and lucrative as the market for 33 MHz IBM-clone computers ..... err, I mean doorstops.

Suppose you could always sell your old engine tray on Ebay:

"Used engine tray, Porsche OEM quality. Fits 964/993. Higher engine operating temperature increases horsepower by 20%!"