Engine belly pan, got one?
- Thread starter xtremek
- Start date
silversurfer
New member
Anyone have a pic of Sonic belly pan? Here's pic of my Sonic undercarriage, built in Feb 2012, apparantly w/o belly pan:
laborsmith
New member
Well, Papasonic, that answers my question. I should have known it would not be that easy to figure out. Thanks for the info.
Laborsmith
Laborsmith
SooperSonic
New member
Mine was built in February and doesn't have one. Made it much easier to change the oil IMO
Papasonic
Active member
I call BS for that explanation; more like cost savings of $8.00 per vehicle for the part and related fasteners, and less production time to assemble.
The vehicle was designed and engineered with this component for a specific reason; probably aerodynamics, and engine bay protection. The only reason for elimination of this component is cost.
Papasonic
laborsmith
New member
My guess is supplier capacity and cost since the pan is used on cars such as the Camaro ZL1 to reduce turbulence and enhance ride I suspect it to be effective. Chevy originally told its suppliers it expected to produce 37,000 Sonics at its Orion Assembly plant and I believe it reached that number sometime in January.
Turbulence under the car probably has little effect on speeds under 45mph and greater effect at speeds over 75mph.
Laborsmith
Turbulence under the car probably has little effect on speeds under 45mph and greater effect at speeds over 75mph.
Laborsmith
xtremek
New member
I doubt it is a cost issue. The cost was factored in to the build years before the car went into production. The supplier would have agreed to the cost during bidding for the part. I'm wondering if there is a rattle issue like mentioned earlier. And I did notice that the j-clips are in the wholes on the sub-frame, even though the pan was never installed.
SSpeckerwood
New member
i dont have a pan.. would it be a good idea to put one on??
what benefits would this gain me?
what benefits would this gain me?
laborsmith
New member
The Camaro ZL1 has one. There are a few threads on Camaro5 about it. The most informative features a vendor who may have their own reason to promote the concept. Here is the link: BELLY PAN Helps! Classic Industries? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums - Camaro5.com
Laborsmith
I am sure if you decide you want one, your dealer should be able to order one for you or perhaps an early build owner may decide to sell theirs. - Laborsmith
Laborsmith
I am sure if you decide you want one, your dealer should be able to order one for you or perhaps an early build owner may decide to sell theirs. - Laborsmith
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SSpeckerwood
New member
I read the whole thing and my question is still unanswered. That mostly talked about keeping the engine cleaner. Lol
Eric Smit
Enforcer
The only thing we can speculate is that you might get marginally better MPG, ride quality, and engine cleanliness. Other than that, I got nothing; sorry.
-Eric Smit
SSpeckerwood
New member
mitdr774
also a dinner prick
the plastic panel offers some degree of protection... if for example you're driving on the highway and run over debris of some sort (NJ Turnpike is full of it) the plastic panel would deflect the debris away from the oil pan, if punctured or damaged the leaking pan would be very very bad
LS1notFOUND
New member
Its like wearing jeans on a motorcycle! if you fall its not good, but better than nothing.
laborsmith
New member
I am thinking that the belly pan may have among other things functioned as an undercarriage brace which is used to stiffen/firm up the ride. If it appeared the firmer ride bothered some potential customers, and I was not one that a firmer ride would have bothered, than perhaps ride quality was a reason for stopping their use.
I realize it is made of plastic and would therefore probably not be as effective as a metal brace.
And I still think cost and/or supplier issues played a part in it not being installed after the winter break. The supplier would have agreed to the cost but building 75000 where 37000 was predicted may have proven to be more difficult than an outsider like me would have thought.
Laborsmith
I realize it is made of plastic and would therefore probably not be as effective as a metal brace.
And I still think cost and/or supplier issues played a part in it not being installed after the winter break. The supplier would have agreed to the cost but building 75000 where 37000 was predicted may have proven to be more difficult than an outsider like me would have thought.
Laborsmith
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T ROY
New member
My Sonic is about 3 weeks from production right now. I would like to have one, as I think it would not only help foreign objects from the undercarriage, but also the salt I receive on the roads around me in the winter. It was probably a way for GM to save a buck and they didn't think anybody would notice and/or care... I would rather have something with the ability to remove it versus not having it at all. If I don't have one maybe I can receive a discount, lol
I would rather have something with the ability to remove it versus not having it at all. If I don't have one maybe I can receive a discount, lol