Why do Perf Pack GTs have the smaller front brake splash shields?

[mikes2017gt]

I'm in the process of upgrading my '17 GT non-PP to the Brembo 6-piston calipers/larger rotors. When I bought the Brembos, I also bought the much smaller splash shields that come on the PP cars thinking that the stock brake splash shields wouldn't fit with the Brembo calipers somehow.

A test fit of the Brembo caliper with the stock splash shield in place proved that theory wrong. The Brembo caliper and larger rotor fit just fine with the stock splash shield. There is no rubbing/hitting/anything amiss.

So why do the PP cars come with the tiny splash shield (as compared to the stocker)? Is it for cooling, as much more of the rotor is exposed to airflow? The stock shields would do a much better job at what they are designed to do than the PP splash shields...so why change them? Is it "recommended" to change them, or do I "really need to change them?" or does it matter?

Thoughts/education, please?

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[Chef jpd]

I believe it is for cooling.
The PP belly pan has ducting for brake cooling and the non PP shield would block airflow.

 

[NightmareMoon]

The smaller GT PP dust shields redirect air to help cool the rotors. That's a good point about the belly pan being different. IDK if they need to go together.

 

[NightmareMoon]

Here is the underbody of the PP car, with all that stuff labeled.

 

[mikes2017gt]

Thanks very much, guys. Between the words and the picture, I've got a definitive answer to my question for sure.

Now I've got to decide whether or not to change the shields. I don't have the PP belly pan so changing the shields probably wouldn't do much. Changing the belly pan wouldn't be that expensive.

http://www.tascaparts.com/ford/must...at/splash-shields-scat/?part_name=under-cover

Tasca sells it for $244...which isn't "expensive" for a part but is expensive for a plastic sheet. Plus it's probably another $100 for shipping something so large...and you know UPS would smash the daylights out of it. If I bought it, I'd probably order it local and pick it up from the dealer. Interesting that Ford calls it an "Undercover" and not a belly pan. These things have always been "belly pan" to me.

Thanks again.

 

[lwnslw]

Here is the underbody of the PP car, with all that stuff labeled.

Cool Pic.... do you have any other views ? I would like to save them to my computer...

 

[NightmareMoon]

Nah, no other pics. I just found that googling for Performance Package belly pan.

If you're not tracking or aggressively driving canyon roads at high speeds (such as The Three Twisted Sisters RR335, RR336, and RR337), then I wouldn't worry too much about it. The bigger brakes will do their job, the extra cooling just helps manage heat from multiple consecutive high speed stops.

If you ARE tracking the car, then look into adding dedicated cooling ducts.

 

[Ryan410]

Here is the underbody of the PP car, with all that stuff labeled.

Cool pic! Good info!

 

[Chef jpd]

Also, if you go with a PP belly pan, you will also need a PP splitter.
The non PP are not compatible, so now you are looking at $400 on top of the brakes themselves.

 

[mikes2017gt]

Thanks, Chef. I was not aware of that. I'm not doing the belly pan/splitter at this time. I'm probably not going with the PP splash shields either.

As they're so small, effectively, they are like not having any splash shield at all. They were only like $4/ea so I'm not out any large sum of cash by not using them.

Thanks to everyone for helping!

 

[DUNDEM]

Thanks very much, guys. Between the words and the picture, I've got a definitive answer to my question for sure.

Now I've got to decide whether or not to change the shields. I don't have the PP belly pan so changing the shields probably wouldn't do much. Changing the belly pan wouldn't be that expensive.

http://www.tascaparts.com/ford/must...at/splash-shields-scat/?part_name=under-cover

Tasca sells it for $244...which isn't "expensive" for a part but is expensive for a plastic sheet. Plus it's probably another $100 for shipping something so large...and you know UPS would smash the daylights out of it. If I bought it, I'd probably order it local and pick it up from the dealer. Interesting that Ford calls it an "Undercover" and not a belly pan. These things have always been "belly pan" to me.

Thanks again.

It may be a better investment to upgrade to the FP front control arm kit from the GTPP

 

[mikes2017gt]

Thanks, Dundem. I am doing the GTPP control arm (rear) as part of my suspension upgrades.

 

[Ironair]

Anyone else find it interesting that the oil drain plug is not located in the lowest part of the pan? Could it be to protect it from getting ripped off if you ran over something?

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