[ampegboy1]

Hi all,



I searched but couldn't find an answer to this one. I've picked up a 968 batwing (front apron) and a 944 middle engine/belly pan (the 968 ones seem pretty hard to come by here and I'd rather have something than nothing!). As far as I can see from pictures on the web and the parts catalogue, the only difference between the 944 and 968 middle pans appears to be that the front four 'slots' on the 944 pan are blocked off on the 968 version. Can anyone confirm if this is correct? If so, is there any reason why I shouldn't block off those slots on the 944 pan I have (with fibreglass?) and call it good, or would it be better to leave the 944 pan on it as is for now, whilst still keeping an eye out for a 968 one to replace it with?



Thanks,



Michael

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[Paul W]

I just bought a 968 batwing (front apron) from another forum member....want me to take some pictures and post them? I just got it this afternoon and it's sitting on my deck.

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[ampegboy1]

Thanks for the offer Paul - I have the batwing (front apron) as well, it's the details on the pan that sits behind it that I'm interested in <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.png" class="smilie" alt="" />



Michael

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[Paul W]

Here is a picture of my underside....I should say of my car's underside. There are no vents in the four slots as you mention. I would put racing tape, the great duct tape on or fiberglass if you want to go all out.

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[JWahlsten]

While you would see minor aerodynamic benefit, I highly doubt it's enough to make it worth fiberglassing the holes. Up to you.



Paul,



You need to get your batwing (front apron) or a splitter on your car though. You are losing a lot of pressure for the radiator, and your cooling system will not be anywhere near as efficient without the batwing (front apron).

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[Paul W]

I just got a batwing (front apron) yesterday....now to source a whole bunch of speedclips!

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[ampegboy1]

Thanks guys <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.png" class="smilie" alt="" />



Michael

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[LES]

Sunset will have everything you need to attach the batwing (front apron).

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[SILVY968]

I just had the car at my PM yesterday and he says that the batwing (front apron) is needed for cooling, but that the middle pan was only added for noise reduction and that without it the engine would run cooler.

He suggested that i remove it, which i did this morning. I don't think that the middle pan adds a great deal in the way of aerodynamics for a DD running at street and legal freeway speeds.

If he is right, I am all for keeping the engine compartment cooler.

Comments?

Brian

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[rxter]

Paul it looks like you have the elusive "third tray". First time I've seen a picture. Kindo like Sasquatch.

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[flash]

silvy - your guy is wrong. not sure what to say otherwise. if i had to guess, i'd say your guy grew up working on older cars that didn't focus on such things. back in the day, only race cars had belly pans. now, everything does. it's not for noise either. in fact, if the pan is wrong, it actually increases road noise, as it becomes a resonant panel.



i've tested it. it does both a good job of helping promote better cooling, as well as providing noticeably (with instrumentation) less drag at about 60mph and above. you can do plenty of reading about belly pans. it's not hard to find stuff.



here is a decent article on car aerodynamics:

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/body/...ewall.html

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[SILVY968]

Flash,



Thanks for the info. Back on it goes, o master of all that is automotive.

Brian

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[flash]

lol - nothing like that. this one though got some pretty decent testing. if you remember, i was actually working on a complete belly pan design for this car. i just never finished it, as i needed to add some louvres to one of the panels to prevent the cat from over-heating. one of these days i may get to it. i am going to be working on one for the denali later this week though. i should gain 1-2mpg from it.

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