TDI Undertray

[Az_TDI]

Hi all,
the Leon's undertray is just about hanging on so change time i think.
Is the undertray the same on all Mk1 Leons, I'm sure I read some were they are different on the TDI but I can't find it even after searching.

Cheers Guys

 

[Muttley]

The TDI is different to the petrol engined cars, and the LCR is different again.

This is what my TDI undertray looks like:

The TDI undertray, from underneath

TDI undertray, top

 

[indiemike]

Got the same problem but found out there not cheap for a new one. So got a few cable ties and it's fixed back in place alright now.

 

[Nautilus]

It's not the same.

1.8T/180 engines have a 3-piece plastic shield (2 around engine sides, 1 below the front of the engine, it has to be removed for the oil filter to be changed) which leave the oil sump exposed.

However, I wonder if the TDI tray in pictures could be made to fit.

My reasons are as following:

- The smoother the belly of the car, the better the air flow below it;
- The better the air flow under the car, the better the grip and aerodynamics.

This is why classic VW Bugs have flat bellies, Ferrari 360 and 430 have smooth plastic trays below, and JDM tuners make them for S2000s and NSXs.

If I'd fit something similar under the engine, would this impair the cooling (no heat excahnge between the engine oil sump and atmospheric air) ?

If not, I'd try a TDI plastic tray and some custom-made fiberglass trays below the cabin to get a smooth belly.

Regards,

~Nautilus

 

[Nautilus]

There are 3 types of undertray for Leon Mk 1:

1. Gasoline engine undertray - generic, all engines from 1.4 to 1.8T AUQ:

Part no. 1J0 825 237R

2. Diesel engine undertray - with cutout for automatic gearbox or full:

Part no. 1J0 825 237M

3. Cupra R undertray - midway between gasoline and Diesel trays in size:

Part no. 1ML 825 235

The Diesel tray fitted on an AUQ engine bay with LC / LFR bodywork fits partly on the screw holes in front, but new screw holes have to be drilled in side plastic panels towards the rear and 2 screw holes in the subframe itself to fit with sheetmetal screws (TDI has 2 screw holes drilled from factory in the metal, 1.8T does not).

It goes to the subframe with a bit of overlap on it (I have a lower tie bar at the front of the subframe, it curves around it perfectly) and if tightly screwed on all sides it's the most aerodynamic of all, combines with front bumper, subframe and side panels to provide a flat belly pan from the front edge of the front bumper to the rear edge of the subframe.

The purpose of the large flat tray on the TDI had been noise reduction (even 1.8T engine thus sealed is far less noisy).

~Nautilus

 

[Transtellar]

Mine lives in the garage as it scrapes along the road and does my tits in! Gotta love being low!

 

[Nautilus]

...You do realize that if there is no plastic tray to scrape along the road, then everything in the bottom of your engine bay will scrape instead all the mud, dirty water, dust and dirt around?

~Nautilus

 

[Transtellar]

Or you could say that without the tray on my engine gets washed everytime it rains