Engine Undertray

[eeyoreish]

Does anyone know if the engine undertray from a '96 S4S will fit my '90 N/A?

The SJ site suggests that they are different but there are no pics so impossible to see why.

Mine is missing completely and I see there's a '96 on Ebay so I'm wondering if it will (or can easily be made to) fit?

[Sparky]

I have the 2 types in my garage right now (89 & 98).  I believe the change was with the S4.  Looking at the one one eBay, you'll see a tongue on the leading edge (bottom).  This is the bit that isn't held by metal supports, and is instead secured by 2 bolts into the body.  The earlier model is completely straight across the leading edge, as the metal support extends the entire width.  All other dimensions are the same.

So yes, you could make it fit, but you'd need to drill holes in the body to support the leading edge.

[eeyoreish]

Thanks a lot Sparky.

You're right, my car has the full width 'carrier' strip on the underbody. Sounds like I might be better with the correct tray as I don't want it dropping off mid flight!

Don't suppose your '89 one is for sale?

[CarBuff]

I don't see why the '96 undertray wouldn't work fine.  The full-width 'tongue' would hold the leading edge of the undertray, even with the two slots incorporated into the later trays.

 

 

[sailorbob]

The S4 and S4S undertray leading edge tucks between a couple of Z shaped metal brackets and the body. The brackets are pop riveted to the body. On that eBay advert you can see in the picture the rust marks left on either side of the tongue by the brackets. The brackets are very simple to make, just seal the face of the bracket before riveting it to avoid water getting to the holes in the body.

[Sparky]

Atwell, it would work.  But unless fully secured at the front they can rattle.  Lots.

[CarBuff]

OK Sparky, I see that the leading edge of the later undertray isn't straight across. 

 

 

I guess I forgot, since the trays always drop down and hit me on the head as I remove them.

Edited October 23, 2015 by CarBuff

[Sparky]

Pretty sure that method's in the manual.  

[Escape]

Just wondering, just how useful is the undertray? My first SE didn't have one, my current one does. Only difference it makes to me is a few more bolts to undo when working on the engine. Because of the limited length, I can't see any big aerodynamic benefits?

Filip

PS: If I can't see the use, I might be tempted to leave it off and put it up for sale. ;-)

[eeyoreish]

My fuel pump is exposed to the elements so I think it'll offer some protection to that. I also read that it offers some protection to the cambelt and vee belts.

Mine is missing the tray and all the fixings so it'd be some work to reinstate it...

[mdw]

Im sure bibs said it was to reduce drive past engine noise ( from memory)

[eeyoreish]

I think my supersport back box might negate any effect the tray will have...

[Bibs]

Im sure bibs said it was to reduce drive past engine noise ( from memory)

This is the only reason Brian Angus told me they were fitted to the Esprit...

[ramjet]

If you search through TLF as well, you will find a topic where a bolt on the road flipped up and got caught in the front belts. Made a hell of a mess. No under tray fitted. May have more uses than just drive-by noise.

[Bibs]

Flipped forward and the up from the rear wheels at speed? What are the chances... 

I'll take the word of the engineer who was in charge of Esprit production for 26 years.

 

[ramjet]

I would presume that the bolt bounced along after being caught by a front wheel? I'm not saying that the engineers aren't right, but for the bother of keeping the under tray on, I'm a fan.

[Escape]

Im sure bibs said it was to reduce drive past engine noise ( from memory)

In that case I'd be tempted to leave it of. At least until I fit an exhaust with a bit more 'character'. :-)

[mdw]

This is the only reason Brian Angus told me they were fitted to the Esprit...

Do I get a sticker for answering the question correctly?

[eeyoreish]

Hmm... This is all starting to sound like a bit of a faff for something that I'll just be constantly taking off and refitting whenever I need to access something under the car (which I seem to do with alarming regularity!)

If 'the man' on Esprits says its just for noise reduction then I think I'm happy to leave it off my car. Plus I'll save best part of £80 to spend on my interior renovations ?

[sailorbob]

If my Esprit was missing its undertray I would buy one, if only for peace of mind for the protection from road debris. The chances of this happening may not be that low since most Esprits have them fitted and yet one without an undertray has suffered damage. £80 sounds like cheap insurance to me.

[Chillidoggy]

Mine is leaning up against the garage wall since I took it off to get the engine out. I have cleaned it right up, and it looks like a nice piece of sculpture.

Thing is, I would need to use a jack to get the car up high enough to replace it, because the scissor lift arms get in the way. Basically, I can't be bothered to faff around with it.

Edited October 24, 2015 by ian29gte

[sailorbob]

You don't need to jack the car up to remove the undertray. I place a chock of wood underneath it to support its weight, take all the bolts out and then slide it out from the front brackets.

[Chillidoggy]

You do when you're as decrepit as I am.

[Sparky]

Hahaha!  I was about to respond in the same vein as Derek, then I realised you are indeed a bit old and worn out.

[Chillidoggy]

Who'd who'd you think the scissor-lift was for? That's just to get me off the garage floor.