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The Red Witch is a 1986.5, and has no belly pans. She does have a stubby aluminum pan under the radiator. That some troll cut a chunk out of with an axe.
Being as it does get a little warm in South Carolina, I want to put the belly pans back on this car.
Yeah...my search-fu has come up with nuts. I even talked to Tom at 928Intl a few minutes ago when I was ordering more used parts. Nothing.
So...do belly pans exist for S3 928's? Is there something that can be made to work, for reasonable money? Or, just suck it up, buttercup...
My last inquiry into this item came back as "unobtainium". As you found out talking with Tom. I'm just going to Suck it up and make one out of sheet aluminum or 304 stainless.
If someone has a diagram of this belly pan, with dimensions, sure would appreciate getting a copy.
The short one that Sean has pictured is all there is for an S3 (just to pile on a bit).
They are out there, you just have to keep your eyes open.
It wouldn't be a tremendous amount of work to have new ones made.
Having stamping dies made is a straight forward process.
However, it wouldn't be cheap. And getting enough firm orders (with a down payment and everything) to make it feasible is virtually impossible. There was an effort a while back to make the ducts for the S4 pans. It actually went a good ways before it fell apart.
Keep an eye on ebay UK. I bought one for my S2 (same) recently from luxury car spares for 40 euros and he had another one listed in the last few weeks. Ask for a postage quote to the US as the eBay listed postage costs are ridiculous. He breaks a lot of 928's. The part number is 928 504 941 04
Originally Posted by Wisconsin Joe
The short one that Sean has pictured is all there is for an S3 (just to pile on a bit).
They are out there, you just have to keep your eyes open.
It wouldn't be a tremendous amount of work to have new ones made.
Having stamping dies made is a straight forward process.
However, it wouldn't be cheap. And getting enough firm orders (with a down payment and everything) to make it feasible is virtually impossible. There was an effort a while back to make the ducts for the S4 pans. It actually went a good ways before it fell apart.
Last edited by murray928; 08-09-2016 at 11:34 AM.
Reason: Left off part number.
928S MN: Yeah, I am gathering that. Nothing like good old Porsche 'Unobtainium.' More expensive than garden variety unobtainium.
Unfortunately, my fab-fu is such that I don't qualify for any kind of belt. I will have to pass on making something. Thanks for the idea, though.
M Requin: Welcome to the party! Our cars are panless.
SeanR: That is the one I have. Though, not quite as nice.
buccicone: Thanks for the clarification, its good to know.
Ducman82: Thanks! Luckily it is serviceable.
Wisconsin Joe: Very good point. However, even though my expericences with the 928 community have been excellent, my experiences with humanity in general have not. I will not hold my breath waiting for an S3 belly pan funding project to come together.
Imo000: Good plan. I will find some sheet aluminum and pop rivet a patch to cover the axe hole.
murray928: I had never thought of ebay UK. I have been blowing money on ebay for over 15 years, but have never bought from a foreign site. Hmmm...
davek9: Don't worry, the oil pan will catch before the front short belly pan. (Note to self: gotta do the MM job.)
For reference, here is the front belly pan I pulled off the Red Witch. Even with the gnawed out spot, it is still quite serviceable. I will find some thin sheet aluminum, pop rivet in a patch, and fog it black.
Good to go. Thanks for all the advice and suggestions!
That spot is typically where a incorrectly fitting Pan hits the Alternator adjustment bracket and puts a hole in it. Looks like someone cut out that section.
If the Pan is fitted correctly it should extend just below the front of the Oil Pan, and the Alt section even lower as well as the AC compressor on the opposite side.
Thanks davek9! That makes sense. The motor mounts on the Red Witch are absolutely shot. The oil pan is a'ridin' low! Explains why the belly pan would be cut for the alternator.
I will fix the belly pan after I do the MM's in the fall.
08-08-2016, 03:45 PM
Mythical S3 belly pans...
(Note to self: gotta do the MM job.)
