Back in the day, when the local police force used to have MkI vRS estates, many of the cars were off-roaded after "sumping" during pursuits, etc.

Now that's left me a bit scared... I have a sump guard on the bottom of my vRS and I'm on OEM suspension. Even though I'm not lowered, the sump guard hits the floor even when I hit a slight bump (small pothole or speed bump).

So how are you guys getting away with such low cars, without knocking the sump and leaving a nice oily trail behind you? I want to go lower (and even remove the sump guard to lose weight) but the old stories of dead cop cars are worrying me...

Sounds to me like your suspension is knacked. Needed serious large speed bumps and low tyre pressures at the front to catch it on mine. Even lowered on coil overs I only sometimes touch the front bumper going down a speed bump.

Sent from my Galaxy S3, not a Crapple!

Oh and your sump guard will probably be lower than our sumps too

Sent from my Galaxy S3, not a Crapple!

Yeah I'm on standard suspension and the roads are fairly bad here but I haven't caught the sump as yet

The factory sump guards hang very low to be honest and will drag constantly if you go lower so if that's your plan then I'd ditch the sump guard cos at a reasonable lowered height you'll be fine,just take speed bumps steadily and if its the island types then try going between the two or go offset when going over them

I've cracked two sumps in years gone by but that was when it was higher and had no sump guard

At the height I run now which a lot of people think is silly then I knew breaking sumps would be a regular problem so my engine is on spacing blocks under the mounts so it's 20mm higher in the bay for extra clearance and I made a sump guard which sits better and doesn't hang lower than my subframe and all has been good

There's also the option of a shallow sump

Sent from my Galaxy S3, not a Crapple!

I have more issues catching my lower brace and subframe on speed bumps than the sump

get 20mm engine mount spacers, solved my issues, only my subframe hit the deck after that

my subframe hits the ground quite a bit but not the sump.

The roads in the West of Ireland are really bad for harsh sudden dips because a lot of them are built across bogs and they just sink in parts.

Yep my S3 lower brace and subframe lower lip (where dogbone mount bracket is) get's hit before my sump does.

It you have a OEM metal sump guard they sit very low.

Ah, so the sump guard is over exaggerating? So if I just remove it, the chances of sumping would be minimal?

Also - does anyone know where to get a shallow pan? I think they come off Mk4 Golfs or something similar?

Ah, so the sump guard is over exaggerating? So if I just remove it, the chances of sumping would be minimal?

Also - does anyone know where to get a shallow pan? I think they come off Mk4 Golfs or something similar?

Yes it is if it is the metal sump cover they sit well low. I would expect you to have lot's better clearance without that fitted.

If you are still worried, fit one of these.

http://www.awesomegt...-conversion-kit

Great kit and has all the parts needed, even a new replacement pipe up pipe.

Awesome - cheers for that