Entire engine "under" panel ripped off. I have aero questions

J. Dub · 02-24-2016, 03:32 PM

So, I struck something that took off my entire panel. What little I had left scrapping, I removed myself.

How bad is this for aero purposes should I exceed 120mph at the track?

I made the thread in here as I know you suspension guys are track conscious. My fear is reaching 160mph+ and the front end lifting up.

I've seen nascar vehicles do it and those are heavily aero conscious so I'm worried. I'd prefer to just leave the piece off unless it's dangerous to do so. Thoughts?

02-24-2016, 04:45 PM

Just drill some flaps into your roof nascar-style. You can use 2x4 or sheets of aluminum (those will end up rusting though and eventually look like sh!t so paint them first). That'll keep the car down on all 4 tires no problem

J. Dub · 02-24-2016, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FCobra94

Just drill some flaps into your roof nascar-style. You can use 2x4 or sheets of aluminum (those will end up rusting though and eventually look like sh!t so paint them first). That'll keep the car down on all 4 tires no problem

Fabulous

Jklad · 02-24-2016, 06:07 PM

With the engine under cover off, At high speeds the wind will rip Your transmission under panel off and it will scrape the ground and ruin it. Not fun. Don't ask me how I know.

tkong · 02-24-2016, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jklad

With the engine under cover off, At high speeds the wind will rip Your transmission under panel off and it will scrape the ground and ruin it. Not fun. Don't ask me how I know.

X2

LMB335IS · 02-24-2016, 10:37 PM

I've had all my underbody panels off for at least a year with no issues. This includes dozen of logging runs in excess of 120 mph and a couple 1/2 mile events at over 140 mph. If anything, my car runs a bit cooler here in FL.

08njSTEP · 02-24-2016, 10:44 PM

If you were talking highway speed I would say no biggie. Maybe a little gas mileage. But 160mph is MUCH different. BMW has a lot of underbody aero in its designs. Unless you have access to a wind tunnel I would never mess with the design. The F1 effort definitely trickles down to the street. Just my opinion, hammer down.

J. Dub · 02-24-2016, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jklad

With the engine under cover off, At high speeds the wind will rip Your transmission under panel off and it will scrape the ground and ruin it. Not fun. Don't ask me how I know.

This literally just happened 48 minutes ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMB335IS

I've had all my underbody panels off for at least a year with no issues. This includes dozen of logging runs in excess of 120 mph and a couple 1/2 mile events at over 140 mph. If anything, my car runs a bit cooler here in FL.

Yea, I guess it's time for me to take them all off now. Thanks for the feedback. Do you feel the front end come up any?

Cloud9blue · 02-24-2016, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FCobra94

Just drill some flaps into your roof nascar-style. You can use 2x4 or sheets of aluminum (those will end up rusting though and eventually look like sh!t so paint them first). That'll keep the car down on all 4 tires no problem

your smartass comment gets tiring very quick, just fyi...

Anyway OP, I would get a replacement if your car is a daily driver, especially more so if your car sees rain or snow. The underpanel is not only there for aero, but also there to keep dirt and grimes from building up in the engine bay. They aren't that expensive...

https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E92-33...ody/ES2637289/

LMB335IS · 02-25-2016, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. Dub

This literally just happened 48 minutes ago

Yea, I guess it's time for me to take them all off now. Thanks for the feedback. Do you feel the front end come up any?

Nah, feels pretty stable. Unless you have a section of Autobahn you're not sharing with us, how often and how long are you really running at 130+? I'll take the miniscule loss in fuel economy and chance of damage underneath for the ease of access and extra cooling.

Jklad · 02-25-2016, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. Dub

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jklad

With the engine under cover off, At high speeds the wind will rip Your transmission under panel off and it will scrape the ground and ruin it. Not fun. Don't ask me how I know.

This literally just happened 48 minutes ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMB335IS

I've had all my underbody panels off for at least a year with no issues. This includes dozen of logging runs in excess of 120 mph and a couple 1/2 mile events at over 140 mph. If anything, my car runs a bit cooler here in FL.

Yea, I guess it's time for me to take them all off now. Thanks for the feedback. Do you feel the front end come up any?

Oh crap lol. It happened to me while testing the car after doing my first water pump replacement. I thought I had messed up the install and ruined my engine after hearing the scraping noises until I looked underneath.

02-25-2016, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloud9blue

your smartass comment gets tiring very quick, just fyi...

lol ask a stupid question = get a stupid answer. A simple search would have quickly shown that, if not taken care of promptly, OP would shortly be waving bye-bye to the rest of his panels; guess what happened.

For that reason, I save my smartass comments for this forum, just like you save yours for the "other" forum

feuer · 02-25-2016, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. Dub

Do you feel the front end come up any?

One would be more worried about that aftermarket hood coming up and being blown away....
Anyhow, the time spent stating a thread about this should have been used in ordering replacement splash shield, as other have already told you in a different way.

Wolf 335 · 02-25-2016, 10:06 AM

You are forgetting that the main purpose of the under panel is to catch oil drips from the pan gasket and valve cover.

Eventually it will seep through, but for some time, if the leak is not bad it will give you a conception that you car is perfect.

J. Dub · 02-25-2016, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMB335IS

Nah, feels pretty stable. Unless you have a section of Autobahn you're not sharing with us, how often and how long are you really running at 130+? I'll take the miniscule loss in fuel economy and chance of damage underneath for the ease of access and extra cooling.

Only once every 6 months at 1/2 mile events do I see 150+
And about once every 3 months on the highway when I can see far enough to feel safe doing a 120-130mph stint. So, not often at all.

Thanks for your feedback. I am removing all the under panels today.

chris82 · 02-26-2016, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jklad

With the engine under cover off, At high speeds the wind will rip Your transmission under panel off and it will scrape the ground and ruin it. Not fun. Don't ask me how I know.

How do you know?

Cloud9blue · 02-26-2016, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. Dub

Only once every 6 months at 1/2 mile events do I see 150+
And about once every 3 months on the highway when I can see far enough to feel safe doing a 120-130mph stint. So, not often at all.

Thanks for your feedback. I am removing all the under panels today.

This is why it is so hard to find a clean 335i these days.

It is a $60 piece of plastic... Just replace the damn thing...

02-24-2016, 03:32 PM	#1
J. Dub Bob Saget 371 Rep 2,234 Posts Drives: 2010 335i e92 N54 A/T Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: AR - 501 iTrader: (15)	Entire engine "under" panel ripped off. I have aero questions So, I struck something that took off my entire panel. What little I had left scrapping, I removed myself. How bad is this for aero purposes should I exceed 120mph at the track? I made the thread in here as I know you suspension guys are track conscious. My fear is reaching 160mph+ and the front end lifting up. I've seen nascar vehicles do it and those are heavily aero conscious so I'm worried. I'd prefer to just leave the piece off unless it's dangerous to do so. Thoughts? __________________ In memory of Robert E. Flynn (AR)
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02-24-2016, 04:45 PM	#2
FCobra94 Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	Just drill some flaps into your roof nascar-style. You can use 2x4 or sheets of aluminum (those will end up rusting though and eventually look like sh!t so paint them first). That'll keep the car down on all 4 tires no problem
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02-24-2016, 06:07 PM	#4
Jklad Lieutenant Colonel 422 Rep 1,643 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Coupe Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Palatine, IL iTrader: (0)	With the engine under cover off, At high speeds the wind will rip Your transmission under panel off and it will scrape the ground and ruin it. Not fun. Don't ask me how I know. __________________ 2007 E92 335i MT
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02-24-2016, 10:37 PM	#6
LMB335IS Sua Sponte 1311 Rep 2,857 Posts Drives: 2013 LMB 335is Join Date: May 2008 Location: FOB FL iTrader: (21) Garage List 2013 BMW 335is [8.84]	I've had all my underbody panels off for at least a year with no issues. This includes dozen of logging runs in excess of 120 mph and a couple 1/2 mile events at over 140 mph. If anything, my car runs a bit cooler here in FL. __________________ 335is/DCT-M3 GTS software-M3 drivetrain-M3 GWS-KOMBI-DSC-SZL/MHD/BQ Tuning IG@ClustersandCoding
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02-24-2016, 10:44 PM	#7
08njSTEP Captain 795 Rep 762 Posts Drives: '07 335i, '66 SS396 Chevelle Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Manchester, NH iTrader: (0)	If you were talking highway speed I would say no biggie. Maybe a little gas mileage. But 160mph is MUCH different. BMW has a lot of underbody aero in its designs. Unless you have access to a wind tunnel I would never mess with the design. The F1 effort definitely trickles down to the street. Just my opinion, hammer down.
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02-25-2016, 10:06 AM	#14
Wolf 335 Brigadier General 2569 Rep 3,662 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	You are forgetting that the main purpose of the under panel is to catch oil drips from the pan gasket and valve cover. Eventually it will seep through, but for some time, if the leak is not bad it will give you a conception that you car is perfect.
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