TThunderchild

I was down in NC last weekend at the coast. Wonderful time at the beach in Topsail!! Had to get away for awhile and my wife had to work so I had a nice road trip. On my way home, radio going loud, top down doing around 85, I hear a bump under the car. I didn't think much of it until I looked in the rear view mirror. Surprise, Surprise, Surprise... my noise shield must have come loose and came off from under the car and both pieces went off on the side of the road into the weeds! It apparantly had split or was worn down and totally came off. This is the second one that has done that. I am now deciding whether to replace it or not. I know people that have taken them off and leave them off with no ill effects. I think I am going that route because the things cost too much to keep replacing!

TTschwing

They are for aerodynamics, and heat control....Good idea to put one back on (correctly!)

TThunderchild

I was a the dealer to have some work done before I left. I have had this happen before and I always get them replaced. Do they really make that much of a difference? Can someone go without it on and not have anything catastrophic happen to the auto while driving? I may test this theory and see what happens pending the info I can get here.

TTschwing

The car will be a little more unstable at high speed, The engine will get filthy, and you won't have the built in NACA ducts sending air up toward the turbo. If they keep screwing this up, I'd keep having them replace it...

TThunderchild

Air ducts sending cool air to the turbo. I did not think about that. I really don't do alot of really high speed driving... 100+. So I really don't have to worry about the stability issue. My engine compartment is in need of a cleaning anyway so I better get that done soon. So it seems I could wait awhile before I get another one. It would seem that without the cover, there would be better airflow through the grill and out the bottom. Am I incorrect in this assumption?

TTschwing

The panel is there for a reason...Largely aerodynamic..

MaxHedrm

You would end up with more pressure under the car providing lift, and the bottom of the car isn't as smooth as the top, so you will also manage to add drag. In theory it could impact your gas mileage @ highway speeds.

InTTruder

the lower tray will NOT improve airflow through the engine bay. And it willl lower total cooling flow into the heat-soaked areas mentioned. SOmeone has put this on with the wrong hardware, or 'overlapped' wrong, where it is getting pulled off by aero forces. Get it done right.

A filthy engine is a breeding place for corosion, electrical failures, and higher delta-T across cooling surfaces (the block). That higher heat loead (delta-T) WILL impact longevity, driveability, and reliability in addition to appearance.