What is the purpose of the black plastic that covers the radiator?

[bigborian]

On the bottom of the boxster there's a black plastic piece that is clipped onto the body of the car by plastic push in screws and it blocks the radiator/AC cooler. I'm assuming that it's there to keep excess dirt and all that other junk from getting up in there. However I don't do a lot of driving on dirt roads only paved roads and it's not very dusty or windy here in sunny California. Would it be beneficial to remove this plastic piece? All other cars don't usually have things block the radiator like that but for some reason the boxster does. It seems logical to me that removing this piece would improve the airflow and cooling power of the cars radiator therefore improving the cooling ability of the car. Any thoughts?

This is just something i was pondering please let me know if i'm wrong and why thanks.

[Boxtaboy]

If you're talking about the air duct, it's there to direct the airflow into the radiators as well as shielding the 2 horns that sit behind it from water. If those horns get water logged, they will fail. Best to keep those radiator ducts in place.

[bigborian]

Originally Posted by Boxtaboy

If you're talking about the air duct, it's there to direct the airflow into the radiators as well as shielding the 2 horns that sit behind it from water. If those horns get water logged, they will fail. Best to keep those radiator ducts in place.

I don't think that, that's what it is they are not ducts. That's on the front of it, i'm talking about the bottom of the car. There are these black plastic pieces that cover the entire radiator. If you ever had to clean out your radiator before you'll know what i'm talking about. You have to remove these pieces to even get to the radiator.

I think i know what ducts you're talking about they are on the front of the car they go straight to the AC coolers but that's not what i'm talking about here. Basically take your hand and just feelt right underneath the front bumper and there is a hard black plastic piece that's the piece i'm talking about.

[Boxtaboy]

Originally Posted by bigborian

I don't think that, that's what it is they are not ducts. That's on the front of it, i'm talking about the bottom of the car. There are these black plastic pieces that cover the entire radiator. If you ever had to clean out your radiator before you'll know what i'm talking about. You have to remove these pieces to even get to the radiator.

I think i know what ducts you're talking about they are on the front of the car they go straight to the AC coolers but that's not what i'm talking about here. Basically take your hand and just feelt right underneath the front bumper and there is a hard black plastic piece that's the piece i'm talking about.

Oh, an underbody panel. Well, those are probably there to help direct airflow smoothly below the car (from front to back at speed), for better air management, and make the car more slippery.

[tonycarreon]

and to help prevent damage from road debris

[Kirk]

No, don't remove it. There's ducting to let air into the radiators and there's ducting under the car in that plastic panel to allow the air to exit. The car is designed fine to allow enough flow across the radiators to keep your car cool. If you remove the lower body panel you might actually allow air to flow around the radiators easier rather than forcing the air THROUGH the radiators. There's a potential then that your car could actually run hotter! The current flat panel would create vacuum at the outlet air duct, helping to draw air out of the radiators. Then with the inlet within the main air flow, you're forcing air in with positive pressure on that end. Overall the stock setup is probably pretty efficient.

Under body panels, like this one, also play a role in aerodynamics. Remove that panel and you run the risk of increasing aerodynamic lift and decreasing down force at high speeds. Maybe you don't drive at 100 MPH normally, but at those speeds having the under body panel missing could potentially lighten up the front end and make the car feel more floaty.

Bottom line, I'd leave it alone...

Kirk