A black plastic spoiler with its associated undertray is fitted. This covers the gap forward of the crossmember which supports the radiator.
My question is: Is there also supposed to be another panel which covers the space from behind the radiator crossmember back to the main suspension crossmember?
This would provide protection to the oil cooler hoses and other components in the lower surrounding area as well as maintaining airflow coming through the radiator to pass around the engine rather than exiting this space.
Kirbert
(Author of the Book, former owner of an '83 XJ-S H.E.)
2
Thank you Kirby.
It’s interesting to hear that you did fit a panel. Did you notice any improvement with engine cooling and/or were there any other advantages achieved by having it?
I see also that the chassis extensions which support the front suspension bushes (in ancient times referred to as ‘dumb irons’) have a lip on the inside face, which together with the lip on the suspension crossmember, provide a convenient method for supporting such a panel. Perhaps a panel was envisaged during the design phase, but never eventuated.
Did you make use of this feature when mounting your panel?
cheers,
David
Kirbert
(Author of the Book, former owner of an '83 XJ-S H.E.)
4
I can’t really compare before and after because my car was missing spoiler and undertray when I got it. Took a while to realize it wasn’t right – there aren’t any other XJ-S’s around here for comparison. Bought a new spoiler, fabbed my own undertray and made the undertray a bunch longer so it covered that entire area under the fan shrouds. Mounted it with several screws into existing holes, no idea if they were for the undertray or not.
