Japanparts has the OEM under panel kit listed!

[Hanakuso]

I just got a reply back from Japanparts. They said they cannot offer a group buy discount since they are already having a 10% discount right now. I guess we could still do a group buy ourselves to save on shipping cost, but since Nigel is researching this, maybe that is the better route.

[ayau]

we need to verify that the USDM models have the predrilled holes. unfortunately, i can't verify myself because i don't have a lift.

[Hanakuso]

Originally Posted by ayau

we need to verify that the USDM models have the predrilled holes. unfortunately, i can't verify myself because i don't have a lift.

Perrin did awhile ago but didn't confirm 100% which part numbers we need. It looks like the side we get isn't even the full version

Originally Posted by PERRIN_Jeff

Now under the car.You can see the shielding under the car and panels installed to help keep the air flow smooth. What you can't see from the picture is how thick the pieces are.



1- Large plastic shield- This is like most plastic splash guards, a little flimsy, but it does the job.

2- Thick Aluminum Panel- This piece is impressive. Its a skid plate more than anything because of how thick it is. At nearly 1/8" thick this piece is almost designed to be jacked up on. But its not. It was done to protect the super low engine and header. Other cars from Subaru do not have this, but that is because the engines are not as in danger of being damaged under normal driving conditions.

3- Fiberglass woven nylon panel- Almost like cardboard but its not. Another splash guard, but since its close the exhaust, its made from a material that will not melt over time.

4- One plastic under panel- This is the other cool part. The problem is its only on one side. In Japan, the BRZ comes with full under body paneling. We only get half that material. Best part is there are threaded holes on both sides to accepct the JDM parts

[ayau]

Originally Posted by Hanakuso

Perrin did awhile ago but didn't confirm 100% which part numbers we need. It looks like the side we get isn't even the full version

yeah, that piece just covers the brake lines. i'm gonna guess that you have to remove the stock piece before installing the jdm aero pieces.

i also see some holes on the middle rail. maybe that's where the bolts go.

[Hanakuso]

Originally Posted by ayau

yeah, that piece just covers the brake lines. i'm gonna guess that you have to remove the stock piece before installing the jdm aero pieces.

i also see some holes on the middle rail. maybe that's where the bolts go.

Yeah I agree. Hopefully we can confirm if we have 3 rows of holes/screws on right/left side to fit the full panels.

Just thinking about it, a side benefit of these panels might actually decrease road noise and they will keep our underbody cleaner. Last time I went under my car I already noticed I was getting black spots everywhere

[ayau]

Originally Posted by Hanakuso

Yeah I agree. Hopefully we can confirm if we have 3 rows of holes/screws on right/left side to fit the full panels.

Just thinking about it, a side benefit of these panels might actually decrease road noise and they will keep our underbody cleaner. Last time I went under my car I already noticed I was getting black spots everywhere

yep. totally agree.

[zkubidu]

I confirmed on my BRZ that the corresponding panel holes and screw holes are at the respective positions. I jumped the gun and ordered mine. Feel free to wait until I receive my kit to confirm fitment. Will keep y'all updated.

[ayau]

here's another pic of the underbody panels.

[denverizzles]

i know people are looking at this from a performance perspective, but do how you these will hold up during snowy winters? could it also be used to protect the undercarriage from rust?

[Asphaltfrs1]

I'm up for a group buy, I think these will help keep the undercarriage from getting damage. At least minimize it, plus they look cool

[Turbowned]

Now someone just needs to make a center section to cover off the exhaust and driveshaft. Aftermarket, are you listening?

Originally Posted by denverizzles

i know people are looking at this from a performance perspective, but do how you these will hold up during snowy winters? could it also be used to protect the undercarriage from rust?

Well, it's gotta be better than having nothing there at all. It'll protect the underbody finish from getting pelted with sand and salt.

[Hanakuso]

Originally Posted by Turbowned

Now someone just needs to make a center section to cover off the exhaust and driveshaft. Aftermarket, are you listening?

That might be a bad idea since a lot of the items it would cover need proper cooling. The exhaust/cat might end up heating up the tranny, diff, etc too high

[jflBRZ]

Interested. But anyway the dealerships can order these for us?

[Deslock]

Originally Posted by Turbowned

Well, it's gotta be better than having nothing there at all. It'll protect the underbody finish from getting pelted with sand and salt.

On the other hand, it'd suck if salt could get trapped above the panels (and thus be more difficult to wash away). I can't tell from the photos if that'll be a concern.

BTW, I wouldn't expect much in the way of fuel efficiency gains, but there will be a little on the highway. Force from drag:

F = 1/2 * p * Cd * A * v^2

p = air density
v = velocity
A = cross sectional area
Cd = drag coefficient

According to edmunds:

"There's more to aerodynamics than just drag," says Doug Frasher, strategic design chief at the Volvo Monitoring & Concept Center. "There's downforce and lift. And there is yawing moment, which is basically when you're in a crosswind, how much does the vehicle get steered by the wind that is pushing on it? And then there's noise. So we try to look for all of those factors.

"For a full-size truck, a change in drag coefficient of 0.01 is approximately equal to an improvement in fuel economy of 0.1 mpg on the combined city/highway driving cycle," says GM's Schenkel. "The same drag coefficient reduction can improve a car's fuel economy by approximately 0.2 mpg."

I assume it's a negligible difference city and ~0.4 MPG highway. The FT86's improvement might be marginally more.

Anyone know if these panels noticeably reduce wind/road noise?