To install skidplates or not?

My point of view is that the plates protect from damage. The plates are purely sacrificial and are to be replaced when they wear through at a significantly lower price than the entire bumper.
Besides, metal is tougher than fiberglass no matter how you look at it.

Guess its a similar argument for/against the clear bras.

 

So are they suppose to protect the bumper from cracking or just from scratches ?

 

Skid plates are a must for me.

 

The car is faster by approx. a 1/10th...........less wind passes underneath the body. The volume below the bumper is reduced by approx. 10mm in height which restricts the air flow and improves aerodynamics.

 

Does it attract more girls ? If not , why bother !

 

I've had them on every car and wouldn't drive without them. Just make sure if you decide to get them that you get the ones that wrap around and give you proper coverage.

 

In my head just from deep scratches into the fiberglass; as the nose is dragged over the road surface the pad is taking the abuse not the bumper.
I don't think they aren't really meant to protect from cracking since the whole area would take the brunt of an impact.

 

Maybe if you add knight rider lights, it'll help .

 

I voted yes but my set is currently protecting a shelf in the garage. Hmm, maybe I should change that.

 

Mnadatory.... Unless you like doing fiberglass repair every few weekends...

Maybe it depends on where you live, if you keep approaching "dipped" driveway entrances- get them. If you live in an entirely flat area, you may never know what the rest of us have seen..

I also agree, this is for the slow approach entrance/exit scrapes... The sound it makes when they meet pavement will make you pleased when you look under and see only the skidpad scuffed...

Put them on. Period.

 

What was the problem with clear bra?
I have not heard a negative comment about it (other than aesthetics).

 

have them on my car. no problems

 

A few things:

I don't like the way it looks. I have had some yellow over time, it picks up a line of wax if cleaned poorly and when the car is detailed very well it just looks rubbish in comparison to really nicely detailed paint.

Short of covering the whole car, on the 3 cars I had it on, it never actually saved me from having to paint something anyway. Either a big stone chip just above where the line of the clear was or a graunch underneath. Just about to remove the front clip on my 612 to have it repainted which will cost less than the circa 1K for the clearbra.

Honestly its more the first point. Its now counter intuitive to me to have something that looks worse in order to "make the car look better"

 

I never see Skid plates, possible to show me a picture of it???? Thanks guys

 

Dont worry guys, have a quick search and know what it is... thanks

 

1/4 inch of clearance is sacraficed for protection of paint and fiberglass. Easy decision for me.

 

I bought a certified Ferrari approved 02 360 F1 and I almost got a heart attack when a few day after the purchase I scrapped under coming out of a Shell station. No damage a simple scrap underneath.

I am still debating the purchase of skid plates in my own mind. Could someone please post a few pictures.

Thanks,

 

Found some pictures and pricing here
http://www.f360performanceparts.com/front-spoiler-skid-plate.php

And here
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ferrari-430-and-360-skid-plates-horseshoes-_W0QQitemZ280437490812QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20091213?IMSfp=TL0912130110006r12993

 

HIGHLY reccomend the f360performance ones... I have them on mine & the install is pretty slick. They give you everything to do it right.

 

I still have have mine in the box.I never got around to installing them on my F430.I got pretty good at curbs with that car.Now with my Scud I rarely touch the front or chin.If anyone wants to buy the shoes let me know

Jeff

 

I've got the larger plates. They work. When driving quickly, the car bottoms, and they keep the car from getting damaged.

Art

 

crazy not to

 

You could make your own probably better than the ones you buy. Boat manufactures use an ABS black plastic that is identical to most of the skid plates that are around. It's 1/4 inch thick and can be beveled at a 45 degree angle. You hardly notice them on the car. Certainly keeps the scrapes off the paint. If you drive your car, it's going to happen no matter how careful you are.

 

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