[s-cars] Belly pan blues (95 S6A)

[Mark Rivera]

Thanks to Ian for sending me pics of the belly pan, especially the plan view
shots.  I was able to create a rough sketch in AutoCAD from those.  I
measured some mounting point distances on my car so I could adjust the scale
of my sketch.  The pan appears to be just under 60" wide, which is a
standard sheet width.  Looks like you could fit 3 pieces on a 60x96 sheet of
material.  In 0.060" aluminum, that's roughly $40 material cost each.
0.060" is probably a little heavier than is needed, 0.050" would be
adequate, I think.

I have a much better idea what the piece does now that I've seen one.  Looks
like it aids airflow to the brakes as well.  I think to make a cost
effective sheetmetal alternative, you would have to do without the NACA
ducts.  I could add some simple, less sexy ducts for very little additional
cost, but maybe not everyone would go for that.

I knew when I bought this car, I'd have to bite the dealer bullet every now
and then, but I'm going to forever have an issue with a $200 belly pan,
mostly because I have the means to fabricate one.  The more complex and
expensive you make this part (carbon fiber, etc.), the less it makes sense
for anyone to buy anything but the dealer part.  I plan on lowering my car a
bit, and if it's so easy to damage these, I want a cheap alternative.  I
don't plan on taking the car to the track, so a little lost brake cooling
isn't a big issue for me.

As for the PITA removal issue, I highly recommend doing what one poster did,
and retrofit some Dzus fasteners in there somehow.  Removal would take
seconds, and there's no chance of losing any fasteners...