After getting the front tray in place, the middle one looked like it would be a piece of cake. I started by jacking up the back of the car.
The only thing that looked like it might be a problem was the resonator.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0a_90MDgfrccRlPaBv2Zn1NWFenrv-4y9uQktA8iz-bw8M4L6VCZsqXiOcThgufjCrbCQg244m667KWlaY97lqk_YuiVhSg16jtc2rIeat1fNSReT1HsolmXTsdpYhoQz0gOnxYfapU0/s1600/upload_-1) |
Before |
I wasn't sure how I would deal with the resonator, so I started by cutting the the aluminum sheet to width and putting it approximately into place to see what it wanted to do.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilneV_8NaRo1pYOBOee0hkpTlNogIf2GkonmQnggoKDMBC8isLvZiZb9QScZuSlXDw8othcJetGYBRBImJBKlY0JuNmZ_yHl2yO6WHCO8MXbcUzx6qnIDKg93BTlxE281MzKaLC1d0KuU/s1600/upload_-1) |
The width was cut to match the front panel, which was based on the car's frame rails. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusl_A9SNdaQJfAl3YWeFrcaXA97wSrd2F3G9vwmiHUsB6HRui1XJ885W5mRJUQ0FzTFEvI528_Nmt3Xhi964vx0PN-Ee76ap4u4Yf_-38hfxKonj3PZERyFqQiqBzwZEi_iUF2kHny9M/s1600/upload_-1) |
Precision paint cans. |
I went ahead and fastened the front of the sheet with some more stainless self-drilling screws, sliding it under the front panel for optimal airflow. This sheet is about 3'x4' and I put a screw about every 10 inches for the entire length of the frame rails, for a total of eight screws. I used large washers again to try to spread the load as much as possible.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioONLqM_qy4hu91uaUTqhAOdaXM0zOtJOFw70vqmva4ru1moADqAY4UHMSnIWGhxmgnIvkLPHKarDjClWUcgR8mH0ZtvW8nVIgTYvqxndCdrGv-TlbUvkjHZkVu0yhaLUboNBO-oOK68E/s1600/upload_-1) |
Notice the large washers |
Now I had to figure out how to mount the rear edge of the sheet. I planned to use the chassis bolts, similar to the ones on the front, but I soon discovered there was a problem.
The bolts for the rear chassis braces use a different thread than the fronts for some reason. They both have a 17mm head, but the fronts, as you may recall, are M12x1.25 whereas the rears are M12x1.5. This meant I got to return to the hardware store to exchange my expensive bolts.
I probably would have had to go back even if the threads matched because I decided to just use spacers to go under the resonator instead of trimming the sheet around it. That meant I needed a longer bolt and some more of the thick washers I was using as spacers. When I had the appropriate hardware, I used my old trick with the dead blow hammer and drilled some holes. They lined up perfectly, and the second piece was secure. I will probably do a little trimming around the rear suspension, but not a lot.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJ6fQd-oY-Y765Uds1ui3brz9y1OeaHEg-uww_HWnkTSshAGKECc85QWUjBWqe2cRUd22wMO3rXKr2lIbJzBzI_fi_LY5J4jOru7eKaOgA33suAsxK3hducQbYAw-F1Wge5_fHAtX84Y/s1600/upload_-1) |
After. |
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