Metal Sump guard on a lude has it been done?

Blarge · Post by **Blarge** » Mon Dec 29, 2014 2:23 am

Hi all,

I have a problem of damage occurring to my Mk4 lude while driving in my area and was looking at having a custom metal guard made for the underside of my prelude made. Has anyone had done it or had any thoughts about it? I have a friendly metal fabricator who will make things providing I provide the materials plans and the cash for his time:) I was planning on using the original plastic cover as a template for him. The underside is really clean and would like to keep it that way!

The metal will it have to be galvanised and painted to avoid rust or alloy chequered plate be better? I was thinking other than weight are there any downsides to having one that anyone can think of? Does anyone have one fitted or something similar? As I've seen the plastic ones but they just seem to get damaged.

Reason I ask is I have damaged a down pipe collector while driving slowly over the speed humps/ Pot hole infested area recently and I would prefer to stop it happening again!
Car is also standard height and running 15's on standard suspension.

Other thoughts:
Better suspension set-up that was firmer to help with this? Any suggestions?
Wrapping the downpipe be advisable for protection or having a plate welded on the bend so that takes the knocks??

Thanks in advance

Ben

mercutio · Post by **mercutio** » Mon Dec 29, 2014 12:01 pm

its a hard one as the downpipe is the lowest part pretty much so to put something under that might stop it from scraping but might not help if you hit something solid

Post by **Donald** » Mon Dec 29, 2014 2:23 pm

I would just go for a plate on the downpipe, anything more will be a faff.

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Mon Dec 29, 2014 5:57 pm

I made 1 for the bag o sh1te. Had to have one or the engine box and exhaust would have got destroyed every time i used it. Was a right pain in the ass as it was so low to clear everything it was meant to protect. Did its job well mind. As for welding a plate on the downpipe well something has to give...... Eventually. Probably end up bending or snapping it somewhere other than where the strong bit is.
Your going to have to make a compromise somewhere.

Blarge · Post by **Blarge** » Tue Dec 30, 2014 1:10 am

@mercutio I agree something solid will break the weakest part, I suppose if I just replace the plastic cover with metal that will be better than standard and should protect the sump as an exhaust is cheaper than a wrecked engine.

@Donald yes I agree it will be a pain, its already got a dented pan

. The plate on the collector will be a good start.

@Ted That car must have been very low or you drive through road conditions similar to me

. I also agree something else will stress and break as a result of this. I thought about wrapping the downpipe might give it a bit of safety and not damage so much if I should catch it. I've seen people do the manifold just not the down collector any thoughts on that?

Ben

Post by **Donald** » Tue Dec 30, 2014 10:33 am

I think @RattyMcclelland wrapped most of his exhaust.

Post by **NafemanNathan** » Tue Dec 30, 2014 11:26 pm

Is not welding a plate to the centre beam that runs parallel with the downpipe a decent option?...

If you wanted a wider span I'm sure there are some pickup points you could utilize and just have though holes on the skid plate for.

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Tue Dec 30, 2014 11:51 pm

Mine bolted on to existing holes and ran down the centre beam.

mart609 · Post by **mart609** » Tue Jan 06, 2015 10:29 pm

I just slam the crap out of my downpipe and centre beam... sumps never caught on anything...