Under car pan

[stevensonjr]

I have a 2005 vert. As you know there is an aluminum pan under the car that starts just behind the motor and continues past the differential. There is an opening in the pan at the front of the differential about 10 or 11 inches square ( lopsided square) with bolt holes at each corner. Am I missing a cover or scoop that is held by the four bolts? I bought the vert used a couple of years ago. Thanks for any Info. Bill

[Steve M]

There is a scoop just forward of the differential to help direct air over it. It is held in place with rivets. Not sure if you can tell from this pic:

https://image.ibb.co/ke06rR/Viper_Underside.jpg

[parabs]

There is a scoop just forward of the differential to help direct air over it. It is held in place with rivets. Not sure if you can tell from this pic:



First time I have seen that image w/o markups!

[Steve M]

First time I have seen that image w/o markups!

That's because I made the image with the markups ;) I always keep the originals, even though that image was one I swiped years ago. Not sure where or when it originally appeared, but it is a great shot of the bottom of a Gen 3/4 Viper.

[stevensonjr]

Steve, on my car, there is a Almost square 11" X 11" cutout with bolt holes in the corners. The opening is aft of the scoop, before the small rectangular hole in the pan. You illustration shows no opening at all. If you are showing a stock pan, I guess my Viper has a cutout done by a previous owner. Only reason I can see would be to access the rear universal joint, which is right above the hole in the pan. Maybe someone knows if this is a common modification? The cutout looks as good as any factory work I've seen. I'm thinking that I might fabricate a cover over the cutout to enhance differential cooling. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Trying to be clear, my car has the scoop, the cutout I'm describing is right under the nose of the differential and universal joint. Thanks, Bill

[Steve M]

The picture is of a stock pan, so whatever you have was done by someone else. I don't see a good reason to cut additional holes in that pan unless you wanted quicker access for differential oil changes.

[stevensonjr]

The cutout is too far forward to access the oil drain holes. I'm stumped, guess I'll make a cover for it. Thanks for your help. Bill

[Steve M]

That is very odd...the u-joint isn't a serviceable part, and if you are trying to remove the driveshaft, chances are that you are doing something that would require you to remove the entire pan anyway.

Oh well, just sucks that they hacked up a pretty expensive part.

[steve911]

The tunnel pans were different between the Gen 3 and Gen 4 cars. The Gen 3 cars had an additional cutout behind the scoop to allow for heat to escape from the exhaust crossover that was eliminated on the Gen 4 cars.

Even my Comp Coupe tunnel pan has the cutout behind the scoop.

[SEASnake]

29326
This is stock pan for gen 3 (2004). Hole and bent up plate is for stock crossover exhaust.

[stevensonjr]

Thanks Steve A.,and Seasnake, your photo is exactly what I have. Mine has no crossover exhaust, I guess a previous owner made that mod. I made a cover for the big cutout to smooth things out. Thanks again. Bill

[Steve M]

The tunnel pans were different between the Gen 3 and Gen 4 cars. The Gen 3 cars had an additional cutout behind the scoop to allow for heat to escape from the exhaust crossover that was eliminated on the Gen 4 cars.

Even my Comp Coupe tunnel pan has the cutout behind the scoop.

Forgot all about the crossover...makes perfect sense.

My apologies for any confusion I caused.