front underpanel benefit?

#1

I removed the front plastic underpanel to get at the air conditioning compressor to remove it. Now I’m wondering if I should bother replacing it? What do you guys do?

I also finished cutting out the sunroof frame and affixing the sunroof in place. Not a fun job but this should allow the cage to go higher for more helmet clearance. Weight reduction doesn’t hurt either. The part of the frame in the rear practically came out itself when I cut the welded pieces at the sides and cut it away from the front half. 17 year old adhesive …
thanks,
bruce

#2

Bruce,
I run without the plastic underpanel. I think it would just get torn up - but I can’t see any disadvantage to replacing it.

Cutting out the sunroof tray is NO fun. Fun fun!

-Vic
SO #325

#3

this is a poll - don’t just look, reply! B)

#4

I took mine off and never replaced it. Its sitting in my garage on the floor. One benefit to having it in place is that it helps support the brake cooling ducts where they attach to the fender liner. Other than that I doubt they provide any performance gains on the track. That being said I’ll probably re-install it after I do my timing belt and waterpump in a few weeks.

#5

leggwork wrote:

Well if you’re going to be THAT WAY about it!

Mine’s in, though I would agree that it probably has little effect on aerodynamics.

I just put a splitter on last weekend & am curious to see if I can tell any difference this weekend at Buttowillow. My guess is that I won’t. With it on I can’t drive up the ramps on the trailer, so it will have to come of & go on at the track. :angry:

#6

I left mine in for routing of the brake cooling ducts

#7

Reading an old BMW E30 325 spec sheet there is a 3 mph top end difference between an i and an is, is this because of that panel? My i doesn’t have one, the is does.

#8

Reading an old BMW E30 325 spec sheet there is a 3 mph top end difference between an i and an is, is this because of that panel? My i doesn’t have one, the is does.

#9

my car is an 89 325i and had it
cheers,
bruce

dnanderson wrote:

#10

leggwork wrote:

[quote]my car is an 89 325i and had it
cheers,
bruce

dnanderson wrote:

I think he’s referring to the '87 model year i/iS… FWIW, my panels were long gone when I got my '87 iS and they’re impossible to find.

#11

Mine is still in for a couple of reasons. One for brake duct routing and two to help keep foreign objects out of the engine bay on those rare but unfortunate agricultural experiences. :laugh:

#12

I took mine off and I’d like to publicly state that anyone who keeps it is a pussy.:ohmy: Just kidding–I guess I’m feeling a bit punchy at lunch.

I really don’t have mine on because I removed it and was too lazy to replace it. Then, my motor mounts sheared off at the track, and I enjoyed not having it in the way; it’s just another thing to remove if you’ve got to do repairs/reach up the underside of the front of the engine.

Sasha

#13

Ex36 wrote:

[quote]I took mine off and I’d like to publicly state that anyone who keeps it is a pussy.:ohmy: Just kidding–I guess I’m feeling a bit punchy at lunch.

I really don’t have mine on because I removed it and was too lazy to replace it. Then, my motor mounts sheared off at the track, and I enjoyed not having it in the way; it’s just another thing to remove if you’ve got to do repairs/reach up the underside of the front of the engine.

Sasha[/quote]

Id be punchy too if I were in heavy Bronzit denial…HA…Bronzit… teh suxorzzzz :sick:

#14

Ex36 wrote:

[quote]I took mine off and I’d like to publicly state that anyone who keeps it is a pussy.:ohmy:

Sasha[/quote]

Agreed. Jones is upset because he plans on showing his race car instead of racing his show car.

Nancies!

#15

Whats that supposed to mean???

Anyway, does anyone know where I can get a good deal on Neon lighting for my Spec E30? How about some mirror tint for the windows?