Post Winter Skid Plate Blues / UPDATE: EVO Plate now installed :)

[Eddie Man]

Winters for me are always an adventure (being slammed and all) in under carriage scrape-age...
I've probably went through a half dozen skid plates in my Audi Years and twice w/my current ride.

Well anyways, I'm ready to plunk down another $300 for new shields (fore & aft) from the steelership
I was wondering whether or not anybody has went the heavy duty route in as going the Bullet Proof route >>>Skid Plate (says it fits S4-MY05)

I know it's $250 but a new plastic one is $211.
Anyone use this or a similar product?
Happy w/the install & fitment?

[Phillyb7s4]

hmmmm, i'd like to know more about this as well.

[0000 V8]

I saw someone one here made on themselves out of aluminum, but it was cool becuase it extending out and made a lip spoiler. It was awesome.

Watching, I am in the market for something like this.

[fujii13]

Subscribed!

[vinny.dtw]

Diesel geeks made a metal skid plate as well, and a few B6 A4 owners are running it. You may want to check it out Eddie.

[Eddie Man]

Diesel geeks made a metal skid plate as well, and a few B6 A4 owners are running it. You may want to check it out Eddie.

Thanks Vince for the heads-up on this...
I knew I've seen this product before but I couldn't recall it nor could I find it on teh search.

Well anyways, it looks very similar, but it appears not to be aluminimum but rather sheetmetal.
I may be wrong though.
Same price and the fitment looks pretty good for the B6/B7 >>> Panzer Skid Plate

[0000 V8]

Same price.... but sheet metal? No thanks. It doesnt even cover half of what the aluminum one does.

I could make that for less than $15.

[Eddie Man]

Ahh, after reviewing Panzer Skid Plate information in more detail, I found out some things:
1. Does not fit the B6/B7 S4
2. It is indeed aluminum and not just sheetmetal.
3. The Panzer Plate is only 1/8" thick while the Evo-Thor Skid Plate is 50% thicker.

I'm going the Evo-Thor route.
Just placed my order and I will report back w/pics once I get it in house and installed.
Stay tuned.

[0000 V8]

Ahh, after reviewing Panzer Skid Plate information in more detail, I found out some things:

2. It is indeed aluminum and not just sheetmetal.

Its just "aluminum sheetmetal." You can tell because those "speed air vents" look like they were made with a HAMMER.

[Sharkfin]

Eddie, I don't think the evo one is going to fit your car either but hopefully you can modify it to do so. I agree that getting a metal one is a must, because the plastic one is a rip off (literally, :D)

[Eddie Man]

Got the Evolution Import skid plate over Easter Break




and I gotta tell ya, this thing is beefy.
Thick (4.8mm) aluminum that's practically bullet-proof.



Here's a pic of the Side Wings that latch the wheel well liner tight to the fender.
BTW, the OEM wheel well mud flap goes away.


The kit came complete with hardware.



I wish I got this thing before my 1st winter, it definitely would of save me some dollars for getting multiple plastic replacement OEM skid plates
Well anyways, I installed it last night and used the installation instructions from the EVO website pdf link
Overall, the instructions were clear to understand and definetly helped.
One thing that did not match up to the instructions is that the skid plate is secured at 5 mounting points.
These mounting points are located at solid body/frame structures that really make the install secure and rock-solid.
However, 1 of the 5 mounting locations is not feasible to use as it does not line up anywhere near that location.
No worries though as 4 of the 5 mounting points is definitely more than adequete to still get that rock-solid mounting.

Another item not covered in the instructions (I believe it wasn't 'cause many platforms are different and this issue may or may not apply) is that there is a coolant line (not exactly sure if it really is a coolant line) that is covered in rubber.
The skid plate nut that protrudes upward seats tight next to a coolant line in the area adjacent to the oil pan/radiator.
A potential issue could arise if this line and the nut rub over time.
No worries though as there are a couple rubber grommets that the Audi Assemblers have already placed on to the rubber coolant line that just need to be moved and relocated to this point of contact.
It's really not a big thing but it could be one of those WTF issues, if not addressed correctly.

Install time: 30 min.
Difficulty (1=easy, 10= very challenging): 3
Instruction Quality: Good
Fitment (1=poor, 10= excellent): 9 (during initial install, a decent amount of wiggle/waggle is needed to get it just right)

Well here are the final install pics (I don't have a lift, just jack stands and ramps, so the pics will be a little scruched due to lack of space)



Side Wing mounting to the Skid Plate



Side Wing latched to the wheel well liner


This is a great product as my underside is truthfully now bullet-proof from winter sh!t and summer speed bumps/uneven pavement.
If you're lowered it's a definitely a great assurance that you're protected.
I wish I would of done this sooner than the latter.

Post-Taste Pics of my Thrashed OEM Skid Plate/Liner and the rearward OEM Plate (BTW, that goes away too)





I hope this helps others in their Skid Plate Winter Blues Dilemma.
BTW, here's where I got it >>>Evolution Import

[Sharkfin]

awesome Eddie, how much do you think it weighs? I've been wondering if it's at risk of falling off due to the weight.

[mad70sx]

Looks good E-Man! Any idea of it's weight?

edit: lol @ Sharkfin! Guess I need to learn to type faster!

[Eddie Man]

awesome Eddie, how much do you think it weighs? I've been wondering if it's at risk of falling off due to the weight.

This thing is not falling off or gonna be torn off...
If it does, the frame is coming off too.
The mounting points are solid and the hardware is well, over-engineered.
As for weight, the shipping box says 21lbs so I'd say 20lbs.
I know it's more weight to our whales but if you want protection you gotta go w/beef.

[vinny.dtw]

Nice Eddie, I wonder if the lack of vents on the metal version would make your engine bay an oven?

[Eddie Man]

Nice Eddie, I wonder if the lack of vents on the metal version would make your engine bay an oven?

Thanks...
I opt to say yes from a pure plate vent holes comparison and it may be hotter but the new skid plate is definetely not buttoned up in all the corners.
Many wide open areas for air to escape and flow unlike the well buttoned up in all the seams for the OEM skid plate.
Another thing is that aluminum is a great conductor of heat so cooling effect on the underside is better and heat dissipation from engine to plate to ground is better too.
The back end of the plate too is completely open for free flowing.
Well anyways, that's my rationale.

[mad70sx]

bump...

Hey Eddie!

How's the skidplate holding up,now that you have a few miles on it?

[Eddie Man]

bump...

Hey Eddie!

How's the skidplate holding up,now that you have a few miles on it?

It's holding up just fine...
Still mint.
The real test though will be during the nasty winter months.
My take is that it'll be bullet proof.
As compared to plastic holding up vs. the aluminum plate during winter months...
My take again, there really is no comparison.

[noznab]

Glad to finally see there's a skid plate option for those of us who have our cars sitting low! I'll be ordering one of these in time for next winter

[ABT B7]

I just ordered one preping for winter this year

[pattrick02]

i wish i had gotten this two weeks earlier...just two weeks...damn....i need one of these...thanks for the write-up/feedback..

[mannyjfk]

Just installed a Panzer plate on my B6 and it was a perfect fit. No complications whatsoever My only complaint is that the screws that hold the 2 brackets by the fender could be a little longer. Other than that just right. It does eliminates extra noise from the cabin.

[RAudi Driver]

It's a nice piece but the last thing an S or RS needs is another 20 lbs in the front of the car.

[b spot]

^ Someone isn't lowered and living in Canada. These things are sooo worth it. I no longer about icy ruts, just plow on through. My exhaust on the other hand has taken a bit of a beating over the years... lol

[dparm]

Lower a thermometer probe for your multimeter into the engine bay. Would be curious to see what ambient temps are like when sitting still and when moving with this versus the stock one.

[Jborch8]

Bumpity bump bump bumpity bump bump, look at that A4 go...

[Frink]

Just ordered one! Didn't realize they had shipping warehouses in US and Canada!

[staypuft]

I really wish RallyArmor made plates for the B6 :(

[cdsvt]

Looks like a zombie thread revived by a spam bot.

That being said, I have the Evo Thor for my s4 (less the side wings) and it is a rugged piece of kit. Living in the great white north it seems like good insurance - the plastic factory one is flimsy junk. As for the weight, unlike some here, I'm not trying to turn this luxo-pig into a race car, and a few pounds extra is worth the tradeoff because of the protection it offers.

Also, if you are less worried about asthetics, you can get a sheet of aluminum and make one of these. I did it for my old rally car and that thing saved me I don't know how many times. YMMV

[MidwestB6]

So does anyone have any idea how this Evo-Thor plate effects cooling and underbody aerodynamics? If you're going to add weight anywhere, it might as well be down below the center of gravity. I'd definitely be interested in this if it has the same benefits as the OEM pan, but added strength and durability.

[ABT B7]

I have been running those for 2 winters and it has been holding up very well.

[Mr.Wrong]

I've been running Thor plate on my B6 S4 for a quite some time now and it's truly a nice piece. I've been in huge stop and go crawling type of city traffics quite a few times for hours in the middle of summer and no issues whatsoever. I believe it's worth every penny. Considering stock plastic skid plate is completely useless crap if you live anywhere with a decent snow season. The only thing I'd change is add two more cooling ducts. Since Thor has only one and our stock B6/7 skid plate has three. But that's a project for some time in the future when I'd have some spare time on my hands.

[SquiddyB6S4]

Nice Eddie, I wonder if the lack of vents on the metal version would make your engine bay an oven?

Lower a thermometer probe for your multimeter into the engine bay. Would be curious to see what ambient temps are like when sitting still and when moving with this versus the stock one.

I bet not. In Baja SAE, we had the choice of installing a large cross section firewall or just enclosing the whole engine, which would save a lot of aerodynamic drag by reducing the size of the plate behind the driver which is subjected to wind resistance. So we tested the little Briggs engine, with large firewall vs small enclosure. We were afraid that being air cooled especially, it would hate living inside an essentially sealed box.

Results? No measurable change in engine temps with or without the enclosure. Air is a spectacular insulator, when stagnant, and since it already had a large wall in front of it blocking air flow, the box didn't seem to make any difference. Plus, aluminum has a high thermal conductivity and relatively low heat capacity. So long as it allows for sufficient passage for the radiator air to escape, I'm sure that the engine will be fine.

[CDN_S4]

I have the THOR plate too. It's only 20lbs, which really doesn't matter unless you are taking your car to the track. For any DD with snowy/icy winters, this is an absolute must. It doesn't fit the S4 as good as the A4, but it's doable.