Skid Plate.... Worth the 350 + install?

[MentalSideArm]

After cracking my oilpan for the 2nd time I was annoyed, but realised it comes with the territory (The territory being a lowered vehicle in a city that doesn't believe in snow removal).

Now the real question, are the EVO skid plated really worth the money? I just don't really get how half a centimeter of aluminum is gonna provide me with THAT much better protection from the worst the roads have to offer. Who has one? Any horror stories? Stories worth mentioning that might sway my opinion?

-Chris

[Satnam]

Re: Skid Plate.... Worth the 350 + install?

not sure if it's worth the money, I have one, self installed
how much are the oil pans, maybe it's cheaper to replace oil pans.

I've scraped a few times with no problems
maybe the plastic skid plate would have performed equally well in the scrapes, other than the scratch marks the skid plate seems fine

[Kane]

Re: Skid Plate.... Worth the 350 + install?

Yes, totally worth it. I lowered my car and installed mine in 30 mins. mind you i did mine at work in the pit. But i have hit some nasty ****, pot holes, camping and practicing some ralley driving on them gravel roads and the little iceburgs on these city roads all has held up. Totally worth the money to be able to drive and not have to worry about something destryoing your oil pan and downing your car.

Spend the money and save your oil pan from the third time. I promise you wont regret it!

[Volkstech01]

Re: Skid Plate.... Worth the 350 + install?

You can do it yourself if you have a jack and a couple of stands and a set of tools ie socket set. Pretty easy and I have done tons, so worth it compared to all the oilpans I have done as well.
As Russell put it, Be a man!! buy it!! tomorrow not cheaper!!

[AllGo'n'Show]

Re: Skid Plate.... Worth the 350 + install?

Would have to agree with everyone here. The upfront cost of the pan may seem a little higher than you maybe wanted to spend but just remember, the $150-$250 oil pan, $60 in oil, all the labour for a shop to change it, tow truck to the shop night of the accident, will all add up to exceed the cost of the oil pan. Not to mention if you hit something and don't stop, just run out of oil, you will kill yourself when the bill comes for a $5000 engine + swap, when you should have splurged for the $350 protection.

Just my personal .02

[bart]

Re: Skid Plate.... Worth the 350 + install?

you people don't know vw makes a hybrid oil pan for about $125 brand new?

the sides are aluminum but the entire bottom is steel...

i forget the p/n but tunedub sells them i believe. it also adds 1" of ground clearance. i have this on my car, went in without probs. might require minor modding if you have A/C.

[Volkstech01]

Re: Skid Plate.... Worth the 350 + install?

This is true but now you will have a dented hybrid oilpan, pick up blockage, and so on. Not much to that steel, trust me. The upside is that it dents and bends as oppsed to cracking like the aluminum one.

[bart]

Re: Skid Plate.... Worth the 350 + install?

So options are:

1) get a skid plate, since it will sit below the low original oil pan, it will get hit lots, annoying? i dunno
2) get hybrid, gives you extra 1" clearance, is tougher than original, cheaper, but unless you are really reckless, then it won't help lol

i have h&r sport springs and no problems. actually my FMIC i believe sits level with the bottom of my oil pan, so i have extra reasons to be careful. in summer time is no problem, just angle steep parking lots, etc. winter time is a bit harder with deep icy road ruts

[Volkstech01]

Re: Skid Plate.... Worth the 350 + install?

true enough, just seen the hybrids busted up too, roads out here arent much different than cow twn, rutted side streets and giant manhole covers ect,

[darkmanCANADA]

Re: Skid Plate.... Worth the 350 + install?

had a large rock come off a bobcat trailer and under my car on Glenmore. without the EVO skidplate the oilpan would have been destroyed.

[stefan]

Re: Skid Plate.... Worth the 350 + install?

mine has saved me a few times. i also hit a big enough rock to punch the plate up and crack the pan anyways. that said, it was a hairline crack that didnt start leaking for a few months and I was on vacation out of town, so really, it saved some big expense anyways.

downside is that it does touch often, especially in this weather with the ice ridges everywhere.

[MusicalGenius]

Re: Skid Plate.... Worth the 350 + install?

It's the top of my list at the moment, I just need to find a place install it.

[Stonewall]

Re: Skid Plate.... Worth the 350 + install?

I think installing it is a no brainer, I have had mine installed for years and I can't even count how many times it has saved me.

[blueMoro]

Re: Skid Plate.... Worth the 350 + install?

DO IT!
no question...just replaced one (Thanks George)... do it, small price to pay compared to the other options.
did I mention... DO IT!

[Vulcan]

Re: Skid Plate.... Worth the 350 + install?

Who sells the EVO in Calgary?