Oilpan skidplate

[LINUS]

I have these over in general technical, but this really only applies to this sub-forum so I thought I'de repost here.

[matt]

I like it. How much for one?

[tonytony]

that's pretty nice, is that yours?

[LINUS]

Custom work I made myself. I work in a sulfuric acid refinery so we have all sorts of stuff laying around. this started out as 5/16" plate that I heated and radiused to the front bend of the 5 series pan. Total custom and took 5+ hours to bend, shape and weld. I wouldn't be able to sell these since they are so labor intensive. Just thought I'de share to help others who want ideas for a skidplate of their own.

---Ben

[mattdk318i]

Its nice and a great idea. However it still puts the shock on the oilpan when you hit something.
a pan skid plate will tranfer the shock to the frame.
Madprops though. Looks great

Matt

[LINUS]

Also, I don't know what anyone else is doing, but if you look at the rear of the pan you see that I welded shut the area around the flywheel. I don't see where anyone else is worried about rocks, etc. getting in there, but I wouldn't feel real safe running a pan that would let a rock into the clutch area.

[LINUS]

Its nice and a great idea. However it still puts the shock on the oilpan when you hit something.
a pan skid plate will tranfer the shock to the frame.
Madprops though. Looks great

Matt

I know what you mean. My other rig is a Toy Landcruiser. I get where you are headed - my main intent by design was to make a skidplate that would take the impact of a large rock without destroying the pan - I might leak oil, but I wouldn't have a major failure. I'de at least be able to "limp home" , even if I had to add oil to get there. Major impacts would dictate the need to call AAA and get a flatbed to get home. The design I came up with was a comprimise between strength and a big heatsink that wouldn't cool down in city driving.

[mattdk318i]

oh yea, im definitly intrigued. I drive a 91 318. And im always racking the sump pan on speed bumps and shaving the bolt and fins.
one of these plates would definitly help with scrapeage.

[matt]

Also, I don't know what anyone else is doing, but if you look at the rear of the pan you see that I welded shut the area around the flywheel. I don't see where anyone else is worried about rocks, etc. getting in there, but I wouldn't feel real safe running a pan that would let a rock into the clutch area.

BMW sells a rubber plug for that hole, it's like $.50, but it takes weeks to get here because they only stock it in Germany.