Safe To Drive With Undertray Off?

I'm going to have my car looked at later for a custom exhaust quote.

Just wondering if its safe to drive without any of the under tray on the car?

So both of the under panels removed.

It's got some spacers fitted to space it away from the current poorly fitting exhaust and a bit bodged with the rearmost row of bolts, so it always get refitted wrong by any garage I take the car too and then rattles. I'd rather just remove it and refit myself.

If it was like 5 minute drive I'd just do it, but it's like 30 miles. On some dual carriageway too.

Yep, absolutely no difference. Things just get a little dirtier after a while.

I haven't had my main undertray on for about a year at least I think..

just a bit more dirt in engine bay

Okay thats good. I was just a bit worried cause the very rear most piece of the clam that the tray bolts too seems very flimsy, didnt know if it needed the tray to stop it from breaking off 

if you are keeping the rear most part , then temporary cable tie the front fixings to stop it flexing and stressing the fibreglass

No I was planning to take the two pieces out, but I mean without either piece fitted the clam looks like it would flap around quite a bit, where the clam fixes to the rear most piece of the undertray.

By undertray I mean the large piece with the plastic ducts in it, and then the rear metal piece which it like rectangle shaped and covers the exhaust silencer. I guess some people maybe call it the diffuser?

I find it easier to remove the entire undertray in one piece ,rather than split it , due to the nasty clip fixings. Although arguably its a good chance to fit new.

How about a slate of alloy with 2 holes to firm things up a little?
One side bolts to the diffuser nut, and the other to the clam part you feel most uncomfortable with?

I've driven mine with the rear undertray off, at higher speed etc. No issues and I wouldn't worry about it unless your clam is already cracked / weak there..

Alternatively, if you're really worried, its a 5 min job to attach the rear undertray..

 without either piece fitted the clam looks like it would flap around quite a bit

It's a sensible question, as it does look like it would catch the airstream, but in practice it'll be fine as the clam leading edge is several inches above the airflow. I've not had mine on for about 7 years and never had a problem.

You might also notice the slight improvement in the rear being less pendulum like.
 

Edited by Nev, 17 December 2018 - 12:45 PM.

The only thing I would say is make sure your fabricators are aware of the shield. If you intend to refit it you don't want the new exhaust to prevent that from happening.

The only thing I would say is make sure your fabricators are aware of the shield. If you intend to refit it you don't want the new exhaust to prevent that from happening.

 
Correct. I had to cut a slot in the rear under tray as the cat was placed a little lower than ideal, meaning it would contact / rub (near wore a hole through!) the undertray.

Well, it was a waste of time, they wont do anything anyway because it's a 3" system. At least thats what they told me, but then I asked if they'd do something in 2.5" and they still said no. Said it was too difficult, like a jigsaw.

Wasted 2 hour drive, I even asked on the phone and they guy was so sure they'd be able to make a system for me. Telling me how amazing his fabricator was and how much attention to detail he puts in, blah blah blah. complete BS.

Looks like I'll have to buy a tullet or Larini

what is wrong with current system on there?

yes mate

Well, a hanger snapped off that means the system has to be removed to repair.

Its a terrible fitment and presses against the gearbox, has no flexi section so vibrates and rattles a lot. Literally sits on the undertray if I bolt it all up with no spacers. The tray bends around the rear part of the exhaust, so that creates a lot of noise as well. Like an really annoying metal against metal scratching noise.

There is also at least one rusted hole in the silencer. Theres a lot of rust as well on one of the joints near the rear o2 sensor, not sure if it's blowing but it doesn't look like it'd go back together very well after coming apart lol. 

I'm pretty sure whatever is fitted is custom already, but a bit of a bodge/cheap job. Almost like they forgot about the undertray as well, theres been two holes cut into it to allow the tray to fit on with the current exhaust.

I figured might just be better to bite the bullet and buy something that should be excellent quality, should fit properly, has a flexi and probably sounds nicer.