Ive been using mine for the last year almost and oil temps have remained the same between winter and summer. No issues thus far for me.

 

Major pain in the *** for oil changes, even with holes cut into it. Extra weight on the front of the car, and totally unnecessary unless you're actually rallying.

 

Or unless you actually drive in remote places with large rocks or large foreign objects. Ever had your oil pan opened up on a rural road where there is no cell service and no traffic?

As stated it takes another 5 minutes to take off. If you are that lazy, get your oil changed at a shop.

And weight? PLEASE. It weighs 10 pounds. If you are not actually racing, then 10 pounds does not mean ****.

 

I'm curious: is your assessment of the pain-in-assedness for oil changes based on owning one? With a hole beneath the filter and a Fumoto valve I don't have any trouble with oil changes.

 

Yeah, I had one for my 2.5RS. I'm not saying anything is wrong with the skid plate, I'm just saying that unless you have a valid excuse, then I don't recommend owning one.

It's not that difficult to put on but it does add an extra major step in the oil change process, even with the fumoto valve (Filter is the problem, so you basically have to remove it every time).

It's the kind of thing you put on when you're going to go driving in a remote place, or rally... not something you leave on all the time...

 

mine only weighs 7.4 lbs.

not only does it protect the underside of my car, it keeps my engine bay cleaner when driving in mud/snow.

Id say it takes 2.5mins to remove the plate and 3/4mins to reinstall it. The benefits are well worth a couple extra minuets every 3,000 miles IMO.

 

So you guys are able to change your oil without removing the plastic under tray?

In regards to the Fumoto... doesn't it bang against the plate if the plate contacts something and presses it up?

 

Ive had one on my WRX for... oh, I'm not exactly sure, but about 270,000 miles or so.

I wouldn't even think of going some of the places I've gone without one.


5 bolts on and off, just 1 sufficiently holds it in place, so its pretty easy even working solo to handle removal and re-install, never got in the way of my doing the oil change.

but that's just me

 

Ya I dont know how it is even a question. It is light, incredibly strong, and held on by 5 bolts. If you drive anywhere where you could catch a rock or foreign object in the oil pan, but it.

 

What thickness of plate are you guys using?

 

Mine's whatever the thinner one was -- 3/16" I think. As for weight, I only cared when autocrossing a fair amount and also messing with -4 camber etc. to get the last bit of grip. Day to day I don't notice a subjective handling difference with the plate on vs. off.

I also drilled out a hole beneath the oil filter, so I don't need to take the plate off during oil changes.

As for the guy asking about the plate moving/deforming and striking the Fumoto valve yeah, it's conceivable, but I don't think it's that likely. The way it sits the plate would have to move laterally, which suggests a very serious adjustment to the undercarriage. Normal deformation is upward (mine has a couple of dents and scratches). The valve does sit low, though, slightly proud of the plate -- which is why I added washers above the plate to space it down a bit to reduce the risk of something clipping the edge of the valve. I still think there's a substantial net increase in protection.

 

got mine at bam and love it. my plastic tray was a bit beat from bay area freeways. the new one was easy to install and looks way cool plus i dont care what anybody thinks anyway its my car

 

picked one up today! it's pretty damn sturdy, light and cool looking. Haven't had a chance to put it on since two of the holes on my sub frame seem to be crooked/bent..

 

Where did you guys get these local?

 

That is dangerous. Epic lawsuit waiting for you............. but the welcome to what ever city, that is fair game