SteelBlue Posted August 24, 2018 Report Share Posted August 24, 2018 If you are running a front sump oil pan, are you running an oil pan? If so, which one are you running? I'm looking at the red46 currently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m42b32 Posted August 24, 2018 Report Share Posted August 24, 2018 I have a re46 for an M42 sitting on my shelf that I was going to install before deciding to do a swap, it's very nicely made and from what I remember it was a decent price. I am now planning to get an HIKfab severe duty skidplate, @straight6pwr really likes his and I have seen it in action, it's a beast. http://hikfabrication.com/arvixe/Skid_Platee30-325-318-m3-race-track-m14-m40-m20-m10-m30-m50-s50-s52-m52-s14.html Might be a little overkill, but with cost of e34 m50 oil pans (and motors for that matter) it would be nice to not have to worry at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelBlue Posted August 24, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2018 I have also looked into that one. I know you have to weld it to the frame rails. @straight6pwr how is the relation between space and everything else in the bay? Because you have to weld it in, it's "permanent". Wondering how this is with the motor, steering rack, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris3 Posted August 24, 2018 Report Share Posted August 24, 2018 39 minutes ago, m42b32 said: I have a re46 for an M42 sitting on my shelf that I was going to install before deciding to do a swap, it's very nicely made and from what I remember it was a decent price. I am now planning to get an HIKfab severe duty skidplate, @straight6pwr really likes his and I have seen it in action, it's a beast. http://hikfabrication.com/arvixe/Skid_Platee30-325-318-m3-race-track-m14-m40-m20-m10-m30-m50-s50-s52-m52-s14.html Might be a little overkill, but with e34 m50 oil pans (and motors for that matter) it would be nice to not have to worry at all That one is a beast and works. I have the Red46 on the 318is with the stock m42 and it's been fine. I also have the Race Skids plate on the e30 m20 track car, the slotted plate lets more air flow to the pan which helps with cooling issues. It has saved the pan when skating across concrete track gators, and the pan, radiator support and subframe in a few off track contact incidents. Still comparisons of the Race Skids and the HIKfab plate as far as ability to take abuse have the latter winning due to welding to the frame rails. If you're looking for the toughest plate that would be the one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
straight6pwr Posted August 24, 2018 Report Share Posted August 24, 2018 the HIK fab plate is the strongest plate you can buy. it's good peace-of-mind: i hit stuff all the time and don't worry. my last e30 hit a freeway barrier at 70mph on the front end and i was able to sell the skid plate because it survived. the install is not permanent. you weld mounts to the bottom of the frame rails then the hoop bar bolts to those mounts: and the plate bolts to the subframe. it doesnt take long to unbolt the whole thing to drop the motor or whatever. it hasnt been in the way of doing any work, either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelBlue Posted August 24, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2018 Oh, it has mounts that plate connects to. So really you just need to weld the mounts to the frame rails and then the plate bolts to the mounts. I will have to look into this more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdesign Posted August 24, 2018 Report Share Posted August 24, 2018 I currently dont have a skid plate installed as I never drive my car. But when I did/do I didnt really worry to much because my pan is a stamped piece of steel. But in all honesty I do have the Roadmaster RSP Race Skid from ECS (very similar to the Red46) and its saved me many times. I have literally caught air and was sure something would be destroyed and everything was fine minus a few small scratches on the plate. With that said, the HIK fab would be my vote for the best as well because its bolted/welded to a more structural portion of the car. Here's what I have: http://bd8ba3c866c8cbc330ab-7b26c6f3e01bf511d4da3315c66902d6.r6.cf1.rackcdn.com/E30-M42.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassboy3313 Posted August 29, 2018 Report Share Posted August 29, 2018 I welded the permanent skid plate hoop into Snap's old car (now Mitch's car) and it wasn't bad at all. Enough room to get to all the important areas that needed a weld bead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunMetalGrey Posted August 29, 2018 Report Share Posted August 29, 2018 I made a skid for an E30. It took some serious abuse, but due to a design flaw / rushing to get it done the night before putting the car on the trailer, it ultimately failed. Upon review it was super easy to see why though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m42b32 Posted August 29, 2018 Report Share Posted August 29, 2018 I ordered the HIKfab severe duty skid plate for my car yesterday, the peace of mind is definitely worth the extra cost in my opinion. Plus it can be used as an extra jacking point! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelBlue Posted August 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2018 3 hours ago, m42b32 said: I ordered the HIKfab severe duty skid plate for my car yesterday, the peace of mind is definitely worth the extra cost in my opinion. Plus it can be used as an extra jacking point! I think this is what I am leaning to from hearing everything hear and reading else where. The money up front is worth the peace of mind and not having to buy a new oil pan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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