Engine bay floor panelling

[xrtim]

Has anyone panelled the engine bay floor? I was thinking of tapering the floor from the rear of the dropped passengers compartment to a rear diffuser. Main reason for the panel is to protect the fuel pumps,filters and laminova coolers low mounted in the chassis, might as well do the job right and clean the airflow under the car at the same time

[Graham-P]

It looks a bit different now, that pic was 6 years ago but still has the floor.

[xrtim]

I take it that your laminova cooler works well, I couldn't find alot of information about their effectiveness but But it seemed to tick all of my boxes so went for it anyway.
Do you have a problem with water collecting on the engine bay floor or have you put drain holes out of sight

Regards Tim

[Graham-P]

I've had no problems with the cooler, I have a thermostat on the remote oil filter both seem to get up to temp quite quick and keep each other in check.
I have a small opening at the 'pointy end' of the floors, tends to be where some muck is collected, for drainage, plus now that I have in tank fuel pumps there are a couple of fixing holes in the floor for any liquid to drain away.

[GTRS]

Did you rivet or rivnut the floor panels?

[Graham-P]

I riveted but in hindsight rivnuts would have been a better option, for me anyway.

[GtrMan]

this is what I did... follow the pictures

https://www.facebook.com/130699937041653/photos/a....

[xrtim]

Many thanks for the reply's, I think the full floor will be the way forward for me, rivnuted for easy removal.
Regards Tim

[k wright]

This is on my list with plans to use u-shaped straps allowing no frame holes. Alloy extrusions at the front edge for rigidity and the thinnest sheet practical.

[xrtim]

I'm planing on using 50mm L section aluminium for the engine bulkhead area which will be approx 35mm below floor tubes to match the passenger compartment dropped floor, drilled with 30mm holes to allow cool air in to engine compartment. This will be riveted to the rail to take the floor panel which I will rivnut to it, more L section will be riveted to the rails tapering to the rear again rivnut to floor panel. I will have to make some sort of streamlined section to fit over the gearbox tube and then make a rear diffuser. I have just finished the gearbox oil pre heater/cooler system and am just about to start plumbing the variable flow fuel system. When I finish that its the floor

[xrtim]

engine bay floor panel almost finished, lots of rivnuts and a bit of welding left to the smaller section to meet the gearbox cross member and then its done. I'm going to leave the rear section until the body work and wheels are on so I can see how much wider than the chassis the floor can extend. With the floor in its on to the fuel system.

[Storer]

Please tell me you are not riveting that panel in place and that it can be removed in about 2 mins???


Paul

[xrtim]

All rivnuts for the floor, panel is removable but not in 2 mins. Only bolted in a few places in the picture and will use countersunk bolts for final fit

[845ste]

the engine does not overheat ??
I only closed two "triangles" on the sides, but the central area where there is the oil pan I left open for cooling

[xrtim]

Mid build at the moment,I have left 25mm holes at the front of the floor section so hopefully some cooling air will be available. Engine has dry sump and laminova oil cooler

[845ste]

wow , is a new idea!
I hope functions, because the amount of air, must be sufficient.
however compliments for the idea

you let us know how it goes

[ROWDYRENAULT]

GTR man: Nice job on the bulk head. SEM makes a high rigidity foam product that could be inserted between those two panels. I think the improvement in noise and heat transfer into the cabin would be well worth the effort. I used it on my floor panels and it really changed the way the panels react to being tapped with a coin from a tinny sound to a clunk in other words it made the panels dead which is what your after. Lexus and infinite use this stuff in all the empty cavities in their cars. lee

[xrtim]

Thanks for the information lee.
A bit of welding later , just needs a clean up and a paint and should be good to go

[confusionhunter]

Im really likeing this solution.... Although Id probably use less bolts!

[Pedders]

confusionhunter said:

Im really likeing this solution...

Me too - mainly just to keep road muck out of the engine bay - particularly like the little welded panel.