New and better belly pan

[viio]

F***ing thing fell off this morning :P

[bandit86]

Originally Posted by viio

F***ing thing fell off this morning :P

Ah that is too bad it really did look good. Just do what my father would, take. 150 self tapping screws with fender washers and secure it EVERYWHERE. Who cares about a few extra holes underneath. Make sure you get the car oil guarded since any moisture that gets in there will stay longer, give it a fighting chance

[viio]

I was testing the speed and got to about 80mph and it went flap-flap-flap-flap CRUNCH. Limped the car home and took the WRX STI to work instead :P

[Thymeclock]

Originally Posted by viio

F***ing thing fell off this morning :P

Why on earth are you people using plastic, which can break off, fall off, melt, cause a fire or an accident, etc.?

Buy some aluminum trim coil. That's the material used to form trim panels for siding on homes. It comes in a roll several feet wide. It's easy to cut, easy to rivet or pierce for fasteners, not flammable, extremely lightweight, won't rust, etc.

I suggest you make a template out of paper before cutting it however. As with any carpentry you wouldn't want to cut it too short and waste material.

"Measure twice, cut once".

[mcrews]

too flimsy.
not enough anchor points.

THe reason coroplast is the only thing that works is because it has rigidity. And is light wieght.

I bet the plastic ripped right over the screw heads.
you need big washers or actual strips of steel or alluminuun to put up against the plastic.

just a question......
did you read my very detailed thread on installing an underbody panel?
I edited it after I had done the install to reflect what I learned.

Could have predicted this result......

and to the other poster......have you read the numerous successfull coroplast panel threads?
metal/aluminuum is NOT the answer.

[Thymeclock]

Originally Posted by mcrews

and to the other poster......have you read the numerous successfull coroplast panel threads?

Does that mean it is the only material that will work? Does that mean it is the easiest or best solution, because it is the one most often used? BTW, thin sheet aluminum is thinner, lighter and more durable than plastic, regardless of what you say.

metal/aluminuum is NOT the answer.

If you haven't tried it, how would you know? Or are you just being contentious (as usual) and prejudiced, in the truest meaning of the word?

you need big washers or actual strips of steel or alluminuun to put up against the plastic.

Oh, really? Thank you for proving my point. Now please tell us how adding "strips of steel" will be lighter and more advantageous than using sheet aluminum to begin with.

[mcrews]

get a life.

He needs the stips for the flimsy plastic...

[viio]

The plastic isn't flimsy, my screws just weren't long enough so my new mounting includes a wrap around the chassis arms on both sides.

Anyway when did this become a flame war? Use whatever material you want, thats kinda the point. We use whatever materials we have available to us at the time, we do our best work, and if it fails we evolve our design.

[jtbo]

Originally Posted by viio

The plastic isn't flimsy, my screws just weren't long enough so my new mounting includes a wrap around the chassis arms on both sides.

Anyway when did this become a flame war? Use whatever material you want, thats kinda the point. We use whatever materials we have available to us at the time, we do our best work, and if it fails we evolve our design.

Indeed and if it came from garbage bin, it is eco win

I bought 0.5mm metal sheet for 20€ (at least it is galvanized), coroplast was 30€ for square meter and they will have it only for summer.

No signs here either, plastic sheeting could be nice, but can't source such anywhere near for sane sum of money, so for me metal sheet is best bit.

Shame that plastic sheet of yours fell off, but on good point, there one learned again something new, life is never ending learning process.

[TedV]

anyone drafting behind a car when the belly pan falls off probably prefers to run over plastic than a chunk of metal. The factory under engine pan on my car is held on by molded hooks in front, fender washer sized quick nuts along the sides ( one or 2 each side 1.25" diameter) and 3 each 1/2" diameter washered screw in back the 4th one has stripped out/ fellen out and I haven't found a larger replacement yet. It's a 98 Jetta and it needs more belly pan from there on back. The pan falling off and me not willing to put holes thru the undercoating to prevent it rusting out has slowed me down.

Hope the next mounting method works out. keep us posted. Thanks!!