Evolvd
Instigator
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2015
- Threads
- 149
- Messages
- 5,551
- Reaction score
- 3,741
- Location
- Northwest Florida
- First Name
- Brian
- Vehicle(s)
- 2021 Shelby GT500
My car has sat in downpours with the tray removed and I could hardly tell afterwards. The vent doesn’t allow water to just rush in like a raging river. The slats are radius to near horizontal so the only water that enters is runoff from the hood. Even the rain tray allows water into the engine bay. The motor is always exposed to humidity and the electrical connectors in the engine bay are all rated for moisture exposure. Unless you submerge the car I can’t see any scenario where rain is going to cause anything more than surface corrosion or water spots. As I’ve previously stated, I’ve had mine off for months and it’s seen plenty of rain and pressure washes and my engine bay looks Like new.Glad to have found this thread. I've searched and searched the interweb on this subject, in hopes of finding a custom rain tray for my trackspec vent.
Generally, this thread follows the same exchange everywhere, guys ask, bunch of guys say you don't need it (which is why there's no marketplace for them).
I think the problem needs to be parsed into several categories or aspects.
If you live in South Florida, your concerns are different than if you live in Arizona.
I get that motor components are meant to be water RESISTANT (not waterproof). But it's not healthy to repetitively soak the motor, especially when the motor is hot or generating steam for all sorts of electrical connectors, components, etc. If that weren't true, everyone would simply pop their hood and pressure wash their motors (which is generally cringeworthy).
The concern isn't when driving (although sitting at a stop light, the open vents would expose the motor to downpour conditions, the concern is you're out to a movie or a dinner and a rain shower pops up and now the warm motor is sitting there steaming water that drips on it.
Maybe that's less of a concern in Arizona, but it's a likely scenario in Florida. Electrical components don't like moisture and they certainly don't like warm/steamy moisture. Long term it's a recipe for corrosion.
Can the motor withstand some of it? Sure, but it's not preferable.
Having said all that, what I'm trying to do is develop a rain tray that's easily installed/removed (i.e. like 30 seconds) so you can quick pull under an overpass and slap it in. Or you see rain coming and you just pull the tray out from the trunk and slap it in, it's not a 5 minute affair with tools, etc.
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel, you can buy thumb screws off amazon that will mount your tray in a few minutes with no tools. The info can be found on this forum.
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