Once things are further along on my swap I'm going to be really looking at all options.
Some of these N52 swap oil pans are steel, some are aluminum.
Regardless --- with them being basically one offs, looking at ways to protect mine.
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@hoveringuy - Has tested the strength of his steel pan on track, and thankfully it's taken a beating and hasn't complained at all.
Since most of these pans are sitting higher or equal with the subframe, many will opt to not worry about this.
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It was only due to bad luck and my own doing that I've killed one e30 oil pan some 15ish years ago (E34 oil pan in E30M50).
After that and on other E30s I ran or acquired different skid plates, like the aluminum bent plates. Even had the OEM steel one special ordered, ended up selling that to a friend.
BUT - Since the roads are unpredictable, and since the pan that is going into this car will be custom, I'm thinking protection sooner rather than later is likely the route I'll go.
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Right now, leaning towards one of the more overbuilt that is on the market or having a copy/similar skidplate made.
If some locals express interest, a local fabricator may be approached to make a few copies of this with differing heights for different pans.
Another member here (@dylhaus) doing a 24v swap into his iX proposed this idea, so I told him to keep me posted on any of that.
If this doesn't pan out, I have no problem getting one from HIK directly.
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HIK Fabrication Skidplates
The current one I really like is the HIK Skidplate, that can be made for m20 or 24v cars already.
Now, some may not be jazzed about welding (required) on the bar to the front (directly to front frame rails, underneath behind core support) but I think it's a worthwhile thing to protect the underside of the front of the car. Maybe even strengthens this area.
Description:
The HIK Fabrication skid plate for E30 325e/325i (M20 engine) is the strongest and most rugged design we have seen. Numerous online testimonials back up the stout design for this piece and it was the only skid plate we wanted to offer for sale. It's also SpecE30 legal!
What makes this E30 skid plate so robust is the reinforcement bar that is welded to the frame rails. Other designs that are bolted to the subframe or core support and offer minimal protection. They are likely to flex and fold during a severe impact, cracking your oil pan. The HIK skid plate has much greater strength thanks to the reinforcing bar so that most* impacts will not ruin your race.
This kit requires welding brackets to your frame rails. The bar is then bolted to the brackets with supplied hardware. This allows the bar to be removed for normal service. Instructions are included.
* - nothing is indestructible. If you hit something that bends or breaks this steel tube you've already exceeded the protection any skid plate will provide.
What makes this E30 skid plate so robust is the reinforcement bar that is welded to the frame rails. Other designs that are bolted to the subframe or core support and offer minimal protection. They are likely to flex and fold during a severe impact, cracking your oil pan. The HIK skid plate has much greater strength thanks to the reinforcing bar so that most* impacts will not ruin your race.
This kit requires welding brackets to your frame rails. The bar is then bolted to the brackets with supplied hardware. This allows the bar to be removed for normal service. Instructions are included.
* - nothing is indestructible. If you hit something that bends or breaks this steel tube you've already exceeded the protection any skid plate will provide.
M20 Version: https://www.bimmerworld.com/HIK-Fabr...-325i-M20.html
M/S5X Version: https://www.bimmerworld.com/HIK-Fabr...e-E30-M50.html
iX Version: https://hikfabrication.com/product/ix-skid-plate/
HIK Fabrication Website: https://hikfabrication.com/
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Pictures
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If there is any progress on having custom ones made --- I'll make a new thread, but this is just putting ideas to paper for now.
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