Protek Skid Plate Install

[whataboutbob]

I was provided a set of Protekskidplates to evaluate on my car. The kit consists of 3 skid pieces and 15 sets of stainless steel hardware to mount them. As far as tools you need a 10mm wrench, a Phillips head screwdriver, and a drill/dremmel. I put the car on jackstands during install, but a lift would definitely be better.

The skid plates make use of existing holes on the underside of the bumper for the most part, but you will need to drill 3 additional holes for each side piece, and one hole right in the middle for the center piece. One trick I'd suggest is to get all of the existing holes lined up and put the mounting hardware in there loose, and use the holes in the pieces as a guide when drilling so you can get the holes properly aligned. On the side pieces, counting from the end, you'll need to drill holes for holes 3, 5, and 6. Use holes 1,2, and 4 with the existing holes in the bumper.

Overall I'd say that it is a pretty nice kit, very easy to install. As I've done a lot of miles on my car already the underside of my front bumper is pretty beat up already, but for someone with a new car that is lowered this may be a good choice to give yourself a bit of protection from situations where the road isn't smooth.

Here's a link to their website: http://protektskidplates.com/index.html
And their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Protektskidplates

If you decide to purchase, please mention this review.

Thanks,

Bob

[RavioliG]

Man I wonder what kind of diff you have.

[brianhj]

Needs more stickers

[solidONE]

If only I knew about this earlier... much of the paint at the bottom of my front bumper is already fxxed lol

[Mr.]

Looka good.

[DAEMANO]

Thanks OP.


Did you have to take the bumper off to install? If not, how were you able to hold the nuts while tightening the bolts?

[mitch t]

DAEMANO,

Mitch Terry, here, from ProTEKt.

you don't need to remove the bumper, just drop the front plastic undertray so you gan get to the back side of the bumper lip, and you can reach all the bolts. you can even leave the inner fender liners completely in place.

thanks,
Mitch
ProTEKt

[MTCRX]

I was thinking about getting my his to help strengthen the front bumper against cone strikes. I autocross and have nailed many Cones this past season, especially with the right front bumper. So much so that the front rt side is pushed a little out of shape.. Any thoughts on this application?

[phrosty]

This looks really nice. Would have loved this when the car was new. Underside of front bumper is a nice smear of paint now

[mitch t]

I am an autocrosser too! I had cones in mind when i designed the parts. they are made out of 3/8" thick polyethylene, so they are super durable. i was running a regular aftermarket CF lip for a while, and one cone basically destroyed it. i am pretty aggressive as far as getting close to the apex, so i have done plenty of field testing for you already!

[mitch t]

phrosty,

thanks for the interest.

a couple of points about your statement though... the plates do a pretty good job of covering most of the damage to the bumper, and even if the paint is f***ed, if you keep scraping it, it will wear a big hole in the bumper cover, that is impossible to repair. the plates keep everything in place, and stop the damage before it gets too bad.

[dem00n]

Originally Posted by mitch t

I am an autocrosser too! I had cones in mind when i designed the parts. they are made out of 3/8" thick polyethylene, so they are super durable. i was running a regular aftermarket CF lip for a while, and one cone basically destroyed it. i am pretty aggressive as far as getting close to the apex, so i have done plenty of field testing for you already!

What lip was destroyed? If you don't mind me asking...

[mitch t]

dem00n,

it was a hookup from a friend so i don't want to point the finger, but it wasn't a quality issue. it was a nice name brand part, but the carbon lips are more of a cosmetic thing, and none of them that i have seen would take running over a pylon at 50 MPH. I didn't just brush up against it, i straight ran it over with the tire at about 6500 RPM in second gear. (I had a little understeer issue for a couple of events)

[mitch t]

hey guys, I am getting some orders on these parts (thanks Robert!), so I think I need to point out that this part is designed to fit the FRS specifically, but since the BRZ has a different bumper, it would need a slightly different part to fit as well. If there is is some demand, i will get to work on that next!

Thanks,