Do I really need the engine undercover?
#26
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I did a quick search and couldn't find anything but: The under tray is at my parents house, planning on driving down there this week to install it. Is it fastened in via bolts or some rubber plugs? I didn't remove it, it came with the car, needs to be installed. And can I pick the fasteners up at a local auto parts store? Thanks!
#27
Apokalypse Rayne
It doesn't have fasteners or bolts. It sits on the strut tower bar. The top fits over the two bolts by your windshield, the middle cut out fits on the strut tower bar, and at the bottom there is a rubber stud that fits in a hole right above your air filter. At least that's how it fits on in my 05
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#29
#33
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Ya, im getting a carbon fiber one because i have so many compliments on how good my stock black one looks lol
#36
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I basically destroyed mine auto-xing and have gone without the oem underbody plastics for 6 months running.. I did fab up an alum. piece (basically floor pan no inner fender lining) to hold the bumper steady and allow better underbody flow.. now I will say up front I have not taken it over 120 mph with this set up so to comment on car behavior at speed.. who knows?? but when it comes to saying that mazda put it there so it should be there.. This is a DIY forum we are commenting on.. if mazda did everything this wouldnt exist.
#37
What's Your ISM?
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FYI I ran over a jack in the street 2 weeks ago and it busted a nice hold in the bottom or my radiator. My undertray has been shredded to **** for a little over a year now, but had it been in good shape, it would have kept the jack from busting my radiator. On the flip side, it probably would have made me roll over the jack, which could have then punched thru my oil pan or damaged my transmission, drivetrain, exhaust, etc. I've never had any overheating problems though. LOL
#40
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we need a clean up in aisle DIY please ...
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/what-belongs-diy-forum-163653/
or rename it to "DIY: How to post like a n00b"
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/what-belongs-diy-forum-163653/
or rename it to "DIY: How to post like a n00b"
#41
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#42
we need a clean up in aisle DIY please ...
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=163653
or rename it to "DIY: How to post like a n00b"
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=163653
or rename it to "DIY: How to post like a n00b"
I know now how not to post threads.
#44
What's Your ISM?
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My point exactly. The undertray seems like a viable, functional air scoop/diversion panel, pushing more air into the oil cooler and radiator. For the most part, Mazda has proven that they know what they're doing. In the few cases where something went bad by design and engineering, they stepped in and took care of the owners, so I trust their judgement on this one. Given the design of the car, the angle of the radiator, the rotary's tendency to run hot, and me liging in hot as Hell AZ, I'll be replacing my $230 undertray setup ASAP after I get this new radiator in.
#46
![FL](https://www.rx8club.com/images/icons/fl.jpg)
In regards to this post, yes especially if you life in Florida. I have been having a/c cooling problems at low speeds, 3200-3800 rpms and 45-55 miles per hour. A/C refrigerant charge is fine on low side, but after hooking gauges up to the high side we realized that at 3200 rpm the compressor was shutting off due to a high pressue situation. upon further investigation, that bottom cover was never there when I bought the car & it seems that it is much needed. I am currently looking for the best price on one. Any one have any websites, I need the left splash guard & the under cover. Splash guard easy to find, under cover... not so much.
![Uhh](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/uhh.gif)
#49
Update on the undercover, got a new one, installed it and a/c problems are gone ☺ if you do a lot of hwy driving it also increased almost 3 mpg. My best avg was 16-17 I'm now in between 19-20. Every little helps
#50
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I agree with you guys. The undercover is much needed. I'm without one and have been for 2 years now in hot tampa florida. Idling its great because there is a bigger opening for the fans to suck air through, but moving, even 10mph i notice my temps are a few degrees higher and at 150 on i-4 orlando bound for an hour, it does not seem to cool as well as I remember when It was on. Another thing to check is the foam seals around your radiator, as brittle and rotted away most probably are, its a good idea to buy a nice thick foam to put back around the radiator as it keeps air flowing through and not around the radiator. I have an aftermarket cheapo radiator with the 3M 2 inch thick foam around. Foam was 8 bucks for 10 feet on ebay. A cheap and smart replacement item for cooling.