Underbelly Skid Plate for Passat

[deming]

Just tossing a feeler out here for all Passat TDI owners to read and provide input.

I am contemplating contacting some fabricators in my hometown to see if they can produce a high quality metal underbelly (engine) skid plate and at a reasonable cost.

I was going to have them use the OEM as a template.
We have the Diesel Geek on our 2005 Passat TDI and I found it to be over priced and I did not think it was all that much better than stock.

Since nobody offers a high quality and reasonably priced metal or aluminum underbelly engine cover; I thought I would start looking around to see if someone could make me a few---we only need two.

Any interest? Any comments?

Thanks
Deming

 

[days-like-this]

Deming, I would be in on that. I was just looking at the Diesel Geek plate online yesterday. Let me know what you find out.

 

[LightningTDI]

Deming, I would be interested in one as well. I do not want the lower ground clearance that DG's results in, and the Aluminum ones are not made for the B5.5s yet...let me know.

 

[jimoilrell]

Deming, I am interested in one as well. Keep me informed.

 

[deming]

Looks like I had better meet with my fabricator here in the Quad Cities and try to get something going. Do you think most TDI enthusiasts want metal or aluminum.
Metal is probably cheaper, but I will look at all the options when I meet with him.

I personally want a heavy guage aluminum with a cut out for the oil drain plug.

What do you guys think a fair price should be? He will have to custom make these and the first few will be pricey.
If we can get this done for the same $$ or less than the Diesel Geek underbelly pan, then I will be pretty happy.

I am assuming a cut out in order to reach the drain plug will be neccessary and helpful. Any other thoughts?

Thanks
Deming

 

[LightningTDI]

Just watch how much ground clearance it takes away...would there be anything wrong with matching the original in terms of shape? That way, there would be no decrease in the clearance...I am cool with the drain plug space.

 

[leicaman]

I think it would be a swell idea as long as the proper NACA ducts are still implemented. I'd be ears for one in that regard.

 

[deming]

I do not think the NACA ducts would be a possibility in aluminum or steel. It is extremely difficult to mold the ducts with steel or aluminum and quite easy when you are molding plastic and fiberglass. Only the big suppliers and manufacturers have that kind of multi million dollar stamping equipment.


The best we could probably do is to cut a couple of vents where the NACA ducts are located. How important are the air ducts and why are they injection molded into the original plastic OEM underbelly skid cover?

There is a Pro and Con to everything!

Thanks

 

[LightningTDI]

NACA?

 

[Alchemy]

National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics

 

[abctdi]

They are talking about the holes in the dang thing...

 

[LightningTDI]

Many Thanks...

 

[leobg]

Metal skid plate would be stonger, but how about the noise insulation? I think the car will sound louder if using metal skid plate

 

[donniemac]

I'd be curious to see as well. It's my understanding that the NACA ducts are pretty critical to cooling on this engine. Can someone with more knowledge chime in, or can we link to some discussion of same?

 

[Boosthund]

Hi Demming:

I'm also interested in the skid plate group buy.

Thanks,
Paul

 

[deming]

Sounds good. I plan to have a fabricator start working on this for me in the next month or two. I will keep everyone updated as this progresses.

 

[days-like-this]

Deming: if you opened this up to clubb5 I bet it would drive the price down as more and more B5.5ers would want them...just a thought

 

[leicaman]

Also, even though this item is pretty much out of site and hand, make sure it is a product that appears factory as much as possible. So lets say its going to be made out of aluminum of a good guage, have it black anodized. With this process it will be harder and look much better. If its steel, have it painted or galvanized properly. A quality product will always sell over a cheap product (up to a point of course).

 

[Alchemy]

If going with a steel plate, use stainless. SUre, the material will cost twice as much, but that is the minor constituent to the cost. Labor being the major contributor.

 

[Epictitus]

Many of the same thoughts have been hashed out on ClubB5.
http://www.passatworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131360&highlight=belly
The belly pan (1) protects the under carriage (2) provides sound dampening and (3)adds cooling, although the directed cooling is probably only necessary because the belly pan is holding the heat in.

 

[deming]

I am not trying to make a business out of this or a profit but rather protect my under engine components from harm (road debris). My hope is to get a good product made for myself (two Passat TDI's) and then you guys can contact the fabricator and buy one for your Passats.

Thanks for all the input and advice. Keep it coming.

Deming