C3 Belly Pan?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 839
Likes: 0
From: Lewiston, Maine
C3 Belly Pan?
So I'm rebuilding my engine, I got a new gas tank, new suspension components, new cooling system, and with the new engine comes new exhaust. I'm going to have a custom transmission mount made, one that's tubular and tucks itself up higher so the exhaust can run beneath it.
I can't see too much that would get in the way of a belly pan, but I'll throw this out to some of the forum C3 gurus. What between the firewall and the differential hangs down lower than the lowest part of the frame? If I can get the exhaust shop to route my exhaust pipes up out of the way, and I get a transmission crossmember built that leaves clearance, what other problems might I run into?
I can't see too much that would get in the way of a belly pan, but I'll throw this out to some of the forum C3 gurus. What between the firewall and the differential hangs down lower than the lowest part of the frame? If I can get the exhaust shop to route my exhaust pipes up out of the way, and I get a transmission crossmember built that leaves clearance, what other problems might I run into?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 2
From: Carmichael CA
Re: C3 Belly Pan? (1969Vette350)
A belly pan is a good idea...one that I've been thinking about...if we are thinking the same thing...a sheet of metal spanning the undercarriage and bolted to the frame from the engine compartment back to the differencial to reduce drag. But, one important difference between your car and my car is the exhaust location. I would not recommend a belly pan with undercar exhaust. You will fry the body and cook your feet...probably melt the rubber off the floor mats, as well as trapping the transmission and U-Joints in a 1500 degree oven and boil any tranny oil and lube that is in that area. If you want a belly pan then I think you should go with side exhaust.
Even with side exhaust care has to be made to ensure that the tunnel scavanges enough air from the engine compartment to channel over the tranny and drive shaft, and make sure that the belly pan ends before the differential so that the air flowing through the tunnel has a place to go so it won't build up pressure and pump air up through the body...especially into the battery compartment where caustic gases can find their way into the cockpit.
Even with side exhaust care has to be made to ensure that the tunnel scavanges enough air from the engine compartment to channel over the tranny and drive shaft, and make sure that the belly pan ends before the differential so that the air flowing through the tunnel has a place to go so it won't build up pressure and pump air up through the body...especially into the battery compartment where caustic gases can find their way into the cockpit.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 839
Likes: 0
From: Lewiston, Maine
Re: C3 Belly Pan?
Yeah that's pretty much the idea. Just something to bolt on, level with the bottom of the frame rails. I was thinking of using a sheet of aluminum for the pan itself but I'd switch if there other better heat dissipating metals out there? How about using those heat shields that Blowmaster is now selling for their mufflers?
Thanks for the ideas though, keep them coming. Exhaust wrapping would be a must. Would there be any other prudent way to cool the pipes aside from running some kind of water cooling system like computers are getting into these days? Some kind of heat sinks perhaps? Greater surface area- same amount of heat- less heat per given area.
[Modified by 1969Vette350, 2:14 PM 2/2/2004]
Thanks for the ideas though, keep them coming. Exhaust wrapping would be a must. Would there be any other prudent way to cool the pipes aside from running some kind of water cooling system like computers are getting into these days? Some kind of heat sinks perhaps? Greater surface area- same amount of heat- less heat per given area.
[Modified by 1969Vette350, 2:14 PM 2/2/2004]
