[JWPATE]

The Porsche manuals sometimes refer to the engine under-sheet as "cladding, and sometimes as guard". Some call it a shield.

Most experienced owners seem to have concluded that the cladding will increase temperatures in the engine bay and lead to early valve guide wear, at a minimum. But, I know that some also believe it was actually put there to control ground effect pressure at speed, and actually aids in even cooling.

I find myself in the former camp and can only believe that the cladding will raise engine temperatures, and do it under all conditions. Don't need that here in the Nevada heat. My engine is out now for a rebuild and I don't intend to put the cladding back under the engine. Probably will instead put it out for trash pickup.

What I am wondering about is the actual reason for Porsche delivering the cars with that item installed? It does tend to keep things cleaner, and more free from road salt & etc. That can't be justify the expense though. I don't believe it would have been there as a guard either, even though the manual sometimes refers to it as such; and I very much doubt it could have been intended to "smooth the temperatures". Some also have called it a sound guard, which seems to imply that some noise level issue may have made the insulated cladding necessary. Was that it? Or was it put there to smooth out under-car airflow in an attempt to squeeze out another mile or two per hour in published speed rating?

I expect that this issue may have already been beat-to-death several times over, but I cannot find any reference to it in the forum search.
James