Hi,

Am I right in thinking I should have a plastic protector tray under the engine?

Carbing 02+ Impreza Under Panel Modified Scooby Parts Subaru Impreza Parts Turbos Engine Builds Dump Valves Boost Controllers Induction Kits - Modifiedscoobys.co.uk

Like where the alloy tray is in the link.

I dont have anything there and do I need one?
If so where is best to get one from as the only place I found one was on that site.

 

David at API took my tray off

Is Modifiedscoobies AKA Flat4online ?

Shaun

 

Do you need the cover or not?

I would have thought its for protecting the sump and headers.
Last thing I want is a holed sump!

Not sure if they are the same of not.

 

I was just using the link as a picture mate.

If I need the tray I'll then look at plastic or alloy, can't see them been cheap either way

 

Not that daft mate lol
Too many scammers about

 

There was some debate a while ago as to whether the cover was needed or not.

Some claimed it affected the engine temps and/or aerodynamics.

I don't think it'll do much harm not having one. Just slow down for speed bumps!

 

I know on other cars they just get in the way when working on them.

My cars not lowered cause off all the speed dumps about so think I'm safe there, not that a bit of platic would stop one lol

 

been running my classic without one for over a year with no problems

 

Thats what I like to hear, save me some money!!!

 

I dont have one on mine, previous owner had it removed to help with temps in the summer. I have had it a year now and haven't had any probs and temps stay in the norm

As for protecting the sump, they are not that strong anyway (remember when I had my STI Type R I had to take it off to change the oil) so I would say if something hits your sump hard enough to put a hole in it then the plastic probably wouldn't stop it.

 

Took mine off a couple of years ago without any problems. If you hit something hard enough to crack the sump, then the plastic tray isnt going to give much protection !

The downside to having one fitted, is that if you get any small oil leaks ( like when a seal goes, and the oil drips down off the end of the oil filter ) you wont know about it as the foam stuff in the tray catches it and soaks it up.

This is what happened to me, took the tray off and noticed the foam was sodden just under the filter, turned out the rear seal had gone, which could in the worst case have resulted in oil on the belts, and a blown engine !

 

i have left my under tray on as i reckon it gives the sump and oil filter a bit of protection when i fly off a track and in to a gravel trap!

 

IMHO of (course..) it depends whether your running a TMIC or not. If you are running a TM then the undertray helps air flow through it, sort of venturi effect iirc..

I would also imagine the aero effect would be significant, so I'd personally keep it on. It only takes 2mins to remove for service and that's on ramps lying on your back..

 

I dont have one so can't keep it on lol

I cant see it been a massive benefit to the TMIC as the amount of air the scoop is putting down onto it is huge, the little low pressure it creates at the back of the engine will be nothing to the air flowing down through the intercooler.

Aero dynamics is a different matter, I suspect it will make a difference there but then your also keeping the heat in the engine bay.

 

Any turbulence under the engine will have a significant effect on the airflow under the IC. Couple this with the chance that at 3 figure speeds the scoop can struggle to catch the air as airflow rises over the leading edge of the bonnet- particularly none 05 sti scoops..!

Regardless of the amount of air entering the scoop it will be lower if there's any back pressure.

It's a bit like the 'draw' on a fire from a chimney stack..

Another thing, if your running wrapped headers, they must take a hammering without an undertray to help protect them- the smell when wet must be nice too..

 

I dont have an undertray fitted or wrapped headers they are the standard items.

TBH I can't see the tray making a great difference to the IC, only my opinion though.
I fully understand where your coming from though and never knew that about the scoops.

Only thing I wanted to know was was it crucial to have it fitted or not.

 

mines in a fooking skip

 

Says it all.

My view is why would they go to considerable time, trouble & expense designing & fitting something that doesn't need to be there. It's not for looks as the average joe doesn't ever see under there.

It must serve a purpose to justify it's extra weight & cost. I guess the designers know even if we don't.

I know some cars are prone to picking up stones & shedding drive belts with no sheild fitted. Water ingress would be my other concern.

 

Well personally, i never had any trouble with mine being off for 6 full years

In fact the car came from japan with it either missing, or not even fitted in the first place, so i am doubtfull that it is a problem.

I even ran my v3wrx TMIC with my 2.5 conversion near the end..........

 

I have never seen an import with one fitted to be honest.

 

Left mine off 03STi. Can't say I can tell any difference in handling, oil temp, or power/speed and thats ragging it around Elvington. BTW it weighs 3kg inc the smaller bit under the gearbox.

Saves time on (frequent) oil changes, in fact can now reach everything without jacking up.

Still got mine if you really want one, I'm near Hull.

 

Yup, mine came without one, been running fine - didn't notice it was missing until I did the first oil change

 

That's a bit strange then. The imports don't come with any underseal either do they? If they were air freighted you could understand wanting to save weight but imported by sea won't make any odds.

Like has been said it saves a lot of time on servicing if it's not fitted. Perhaps it's a plot by IM to bump up the dealers wedge.