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Has anyone made an underbody pan from scratch? (metal probably)

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Old 08-22-04, 06:38 PM
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Has anyone made an underbody pan from scratch? (metal probably)

Just curious, mine was dragging along effectively turning the car into a snow/gravel plow. I removed it several years ago because of this. I've aways intended on finding either a replacement, for fabbing something up, but it was never really priority. Anybody have any ideas on making one from scracth, as compared to finding one, shipping it here, ect.
Old 08-22-04, 06:45 PM
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actually i have one if you want it... its in my storage but i think its in good condition... just minus the bolts to hold it on... i removed them on both my cars, and before anybody says im gonna overheat i dont... i barely even make it to the 1/4 mark on my guage and as far as stability... i never go above 85 so i really dont need it for aerodynamics
Old 08-22-04, 07:07 PM
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how does someone go about shipping something like that?
Old 08-22-04, 07:32 PM
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1.3L is not that small

 
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haha i didnt say that... i just said i had one lol... but youd just go ups.. its big but its light so i doubt it would cost a bunch
Old 08-22-04, 08:09 PM
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I'm interested in hearing more about fabricating an underside for possible rallying? ^_^ I bet that'd weigh a couple extra pounds...

--Bob
Old 08-22-04, 08:12 PM
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I work for UPS, main reason I suggested is because the first idea for shipping it is to just slap a lable on the plastic... just I know how **** gets beatup in the trailors...
Old 08-22-04, 08:23 PM
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I thought I read of an RC owner that made a sheetmetal belly plate for the entire front 50%, and measured either coolant temperature or air pressure points along the underbody.

Anyway, it's on my list of RX-7 subprojects. Instead of metal, I'm considering rigid nylon or propylene sheeting, for easier fabrication, ding/snag resistance, and vibration damping (quieter than metal). I might bolt low profile nylon rails to the belly, then fasten sheeting with rivet snaps. The objective is a flatter belly with good upward and sideward engine bay drafting.

Last edited by jhillyer; 08-22-04 at 08:25 PM.
Old 08-27-04, 05:35 PM
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^?
Old 08-27-04, 11:27 PM
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I'm a boost creep...

 
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Considering the complex shape of the stock undertray, it would take a lot of fiddly work to custom make one that does the job as well. If you removed it originally, why don't you just reinstall it? It sounds like you were just missing some bolts.
Old 08-28-04, 02:18 AM
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Various things, the underbody was ripped in one place, and the front end sags a bit which made all the mounts in the front off. Also I most the bolts I touched 3 years ago to remove it just snapped right off front rust deterriation.
Old 08-28-04, 03:01 AM
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Has anyone made a one piece underpan that runs from the front to the rear of the car?
Old 08-28-04, 06:54 PM
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Cool

Hey guys, I know the belly pans are a pain cause they are made from plastic which sucks. I am in the development stages of fabracateing the belly pan for FCs out of sheet metal. I'll keep you posted on how it goes. If all is well I can make as many as is needed. Of course shipping and handleing would be included in the purchase price. They will sell between 50 to 65 bucks depending on how much of a pain it is to make the first one. Let me know if you are interested. Again it all depends on how the first on goes to determine if I will make more or not.

Last edited by rx7cowboy86; 08-28-04 at 07:05 PM.
Old 08-28-04, 09:27 PM
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Originally Posted by rx7cowboy86
I know the belly pans are a pain cause they are made from plastic which sucks.
My pan is fine, as are most of the others I've seen. The plastic is strong and flexible, and doesn't suck at all in my experience.
Old 08-29-04, 03:20 AM
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I have 2 undebelly pans. The plastic one and a metal one behind it under the clutch area.

You don't need a full front to rear under pan unless you are going over 200 mph.
Old 08-29-04, 03:27 AM
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Originally Posted by dr.jones63
I have 2 undebelly pans. The plastic one and a metal one behind it under the clutch area.

You don't need a full front to rear under pan unless you are going over 200 mph.

I believe the metal one was only available as an option (the areo package..), even Australian delivered FC's which were apparently ALL fully optioned some do not come with the metal bit however most i've seen here DO..
werid..


and a full front to rear underbody spoiler will help at any speed and it would be very noticable..
however your right, next to no one on here would actually NEED one of those..
Would help alot though..
Old 08-29-04, 11:02 AM
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Originally Posted by rx7cowboy86
Hey guys, I know the belly pans are a pain cause they are made from plastic which sucks. I am in the development stages of fabracateing the belly pan for FCs out of sheet metal. I'll keep you posted on how it goes. If all is well I can make as many as is needed. Of course shipping and handleing would be included in the purchase price. They will sell between 50 to 65 bucks depending on how much of a pain it is to make the first one. Let me know if you are interested. Again it all depends on how the first on goes to determine if I will make more or not.


interested
Old 08-29-04, 11:34 AM
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I need that metal one that goes under the tranny/clutch area.. it was making my car look like i didnt have an oil leak.
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