Hey all,

So, I'm going to be making a skid plate for my i30 and I wanted to judge the communities interest since I know others who want one.

There are a few reasons I want to make a skid plate:

1.) Good reason not to bottom out on engine components on a lowered car.
2.) Replaces hanging and unsightly plastic skid plates from Nissan
3.) Minor improvement in under vehicle aerodynamics (over hanging pieces of plastic)

I'm considering using aluminum with a moderate thickness. Hopefully, I will be using pre-existing holes/bolts on the car, but I will determine that when I do a mock-up.

If there is any interest, I will post pics when I have some time to work on the car.

 

Plan on 4 wheeling with it?

1)Lower sub frame brace is lower then any engine component.
2)I can't see any unsightly plastic hanging down under my car?
3)Aluminum is heavier then plastic.

Skid plates are for 4x4 trucks.

Just my .02

 

+1. Unless one plans on adding hydraulics as part of a car show.

 

Not at all. My BMW has one from the factory and my S13 has one as well. Skid plates are fantastic for lowered cars.

True, assuming you are talking about a lower tie bar, which is at the rear of the engine. The front of the engine has nothing lower than it to protect it. A rock, errant drop of asphalt, object in the roadway would all hit the front of your engine first denting your y-pipe or cracking your oil pan.

 

Sounds like he was talking about the crossmember, which is indeed lower than anything else in the engine bay.

Crack the lower oil pan? The worst you could really do is dent it, it's not like we're talking about cast iron or aluminum.

If you have the plastic splash shields on, the chances of something running up into the engine compartment and damaging anything to a significant degree is slim. Even if you don't, an object of sufficient size to cause major damage is unlikely to make it past the bottom of the bumper (especially if you're lowered).

 

I made a flat underpanel out of abs plastic when my stock ones went. Its been on there for like 6 months and even with my car lowered I don't have any sratches on it. I don't think skid plates are really needed for our cars.

 

Yeah, just what the maxima needs, more weight up front..

 

I'm inclined to agree with everyone else so far... I've hit several "tall" objects with no ill effects to my Maxima. The most recent was a 4" by 4" piece of wood that I couldn't avoid. It smacked something underneath and bounced out from under the rear bumper... About 6' in the air!

 

That's cool. The only reason I'm making one is because I hit an errant piece of asphalt dropped by a truck and it bent my y-pipe almost shut. I had to put my stock one back on until I can get another pipe

 

same here but my lower tie bar hit a hubcap!

 

ummm guys.. he's not talking about an off-road skid plate. he's talking about sheet metal covers, only slightly stronger than the factory plastic pieces.

 

I had a similiar situation. I was driving and noticed this loud screaching sound. whenever I went over a bump. So I thought the suspension was ruined.

I then go to look under the car. And it turns out that there's this huge branch (5-8 meters) long.. wedged right in the the exhust pipes under the car. I was so thankful that I didn't have to go for another repair.

 

5-8 METERs long?
Ummmm I'm sure I'd notice hitting a branch longer than my car, and probably do whatever necessary to avoid hitting it.

 

Yes, just something to deflect debris and protect the vitals.