A&Q about 350Z
Q:
how important is it to have the belly pan that bolts under the motor? aside from protecting the underneath from road debris does it really help cooling or anything else? took minr of to work on car and dont know if i should put it back on or not- 80 280zx- any opinions???
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1980 280ZX coupe
2001 maxima
1994 F150 4x4 van works custom truck
170000 and never needed mech repairs
1996 ford explorer -they cant all be good
A:
Most of them are missing off of Z's anyways. I have never had a problem without one on any of my Z's in the past.
Don't throw it away. I have seen nice ones sell for a good chunk of change on Ebay and then again, I have seen them go for cheap.
SPEED IS MY DRUG OF CHOICE..LET ME DRIVE!
A:
thanks i didnt throw it away and wont but having off sure makes it easier to work under the car. thanks again!!
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1980 280ZX coupe
2001 maxima
1994 F150 4x4 van works custom truck
170000 and never needed mech repairs
1996 ford explorer -they cant all be good
A:
i have ***HEARD**** from somone on this board, i cant remmber who, but they said it might not be as areo dymanic, and they did a top speed test and without it it was like 2mph faster---
but that was rumored----and it was from somone on this board....
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High Performance NA L28 engine, Performance Suspension, Full Interior, 2500lbs, and room for 3 HOT girls in the car!
shift_2+2
13.9 @102.7 on 205mm street tires and 110 octane :-)
A:
It's not a "belly pan", it's a splash guard. It's not "needed" anymore than fender liners or brake dust shields. They are nice on daily drivers/
A:
I wouldn't mind having one for my '77. Sold my 1st Z (a '76 bought new) with 160k on it intact. I wore out the brushes but never flooded the alternator. For the little weight, I'd go for the airflow. Who has a spare with the hole for the rad petcock? Tell me what you want for it to 15236?
'77 280Z...Tokico springs and HP struts, Yoko AVID S/T 215/60s, original dealer slots, Hawk HPS, redone seats and dash, NV car driven to Pittsburgh in '97
A:
My 77 came without one. I located one and purchased it and am having it powder coated as we speak. I think it will look quite nice and for a daily driver I would have one on.
John
77280Z (Spooky), 83ZXT (Garage Queen), 86ZXT (Bulldog).
Proud owner of 10/03 Z car of the month.
A:
the belly pan INCREASES the aerodynamics of a Z and reduces the area of high pressure building up in the firewall of the Z..
Norm proved with his hood popped open, it would raise nearly 12 inches going to 100mph on the 1/4 mile... do to the high pressure of the 90* degree firewall (straight up and down)
the belly pan in turn keeps the front end of the car down, protects the oil pan and vital engine components and crossmember
not enough evidence? Search HYBRIDZ.ORG and type in aerodynamics
F54/P90a w Megasquirt and a Holset Hy35W
3" hand made exhuast, Large NPR intercooler, big injectors, Tokico Illuminas, Arizona Z Springs, BIG sway bars, Innovate Wideband
www.putfile.com/proxlamus
A:
So, if you plan on driving around at 100+mph and are concerned about gas mileage, then it's worth it?
A:
100mph was just the example speed. It comes open at slower speeds as well. I had one that didn't shut completely and at 60mph it poped up and caught on the safety latch pretty hard. I'd say anything that can cut down the pressure under the hood of the early Z is well worth it and may save you some pennies in gas.
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77 280Z - TEC3 Engine Management, Coil Packs, 3.1 Stroker, 550CC injectors, tripple throttle body FI intake, MSA Stage II Cam, etc...etc...
79 Fairlady - Rusty
81 280ZX - DD
A:
I've run it both ways. The hood still comes up the same way. No difference at all That's why I was curious if you had to exceed 100 to have a measurable difference.
A:
I got one for mine just to keep the crap out of the engine bay. Stays a lot cleaner now.
BTW swe280Z, I've got an extra pan that should fit your 280. It's got the hole for the petcock. Kind of bent up in spots but it's very usable.
1973 240Z 4 screw SU's, Tokico HP's, Toyota Calipers
1946 Willys-Overland CJ-2A (restoration in progress)
2006 Ural Gear-Up
A:
I have a spare one off a 280ZX if anyone wants to buy it. My 77 is missing its splash pan, I would like to buy one if anyone has one for sale.
Now Z-less
89 Mazda MX-6 GT Turbo 5 speed
88 Mazda MX-6 GT Turbo Automatic
05 Dodge Ram 3500 Cummins 4x4