Remove 993 "engine sound trays"???

[Guest]

All,

After the useful response to my gearbox question earlier in the week I am back already (It is the enthusiasm/paranoia of new ownership I guess!)

I am reading widely on the 993 at the moment, and have come across this opinion on the 911 UK forum...

"The book on 911 Performance by Bruce Anderson - page 188 - (ISBN 0 7603-0033-x) (MBI publishing) specifically mentions accelerated valve guide wear due to overhot 964 and 993 engines. His view is that the engine sound reduction plate below the engine causes excessive temperatures and valve guide wear eventualy leading to valve stem failure and a big bill.

Quote - "for the 993 I recommend removing the engine sound trays. Even though they are not as restrictive as those on the 964, I feel they will be responsible for the 993 running hot. We have seen indications that the 964s run too hot with these sound trays because all of the engines that we have seen apart have had excessively worn exhaust guides.""


Does anyone agree or disagree with this sentiment?

I should add that I am interested to know where these "sound trays" are located. Would the removal be an easy/cheap way to reveal even more of that great 911 noise - without the expense of exhaust upgrades? I was drawn to the topic as the black plastic/composite moulding underneath the engine/exhaust of my "new" 993 C2 needs replacing / repair as the fixings are broken on the RHS - Is this the "sound tray" described, and either way, is it best to have this repaired or replaced? (Previously I guessed it was only there to protect the exhausts/engine underside from damage from stones etc. on the move...

Thanks again for any advice you can offer.

 

[DESMO16]

Jonathan
I use my RS on track and Tech 9 Motorsport recommended the removal of the under tray for exactly the reasons you have described.
Might be worth giving them a call :-0151/425/5911 ask for Phil or Alan.


Regards

John

 

[968er]

I know that this was a recommendation for the 964, but was not aware it is necessary for the 993.

I drive my car in heavy stop start traffic and have never experienced high engine temps. and would not consider removing them.

As Maurice says, have a look under the car and you cannot miss them[]

 

[Melv]

Take it off!

With respect to dirt, the fan on the engine blows down so hard that it will not be a problem.

When I took the tray off my 964 thre was a slight increase in sound, and no increase in road muck in the engine bay.

Mel

 

[clubsport]

With winter coming up why remove them? They may help warm up and keep road grime/salt away from the engine.....I would consider taking them off if you intend to do a track day in the summer

 

[Guest]

Thankyou all for the advice.

From a purely practical standpoint the winter/summer argument seems intuitively satisfying. They will stay on this winter, and may come off for a while during the summer months when the roads are in better shape - particularly relevant on my poorly surfaced Hampshire back routes!

 

[Melv]

"(and from someone whose car does more miles on a trailer than on its wheels !! ). "

Yep, only 10,000kms on the car in the last two years..... ;-)

Mel