My Functional Front Splitter Build
#29
Registered
iTrader: (3)
yep i am Denny. We have ran at Road Atlanta many a time. It has a super long back straight in which 6th gear has to be used--then brake for a 90 degree left hand turn at the end of it----wooo hooo!
That can give you a hint of how interested in aero improvements we are
In several places i am over 125mph and for two turns I enter at 90--100 or so ( Turn one and Turn 12)
Come on down and try it out--its a hoot!
Nice low cost stable front splitter. good work---real grassroots stuff.
That can give you a hint of how interested in aero improvements we are
In several places i am over 125mph and for two turns I enter at 90--100 or so ( Turn one and Turn 12)
Come on down and try it out--its a hoot!
Nice low cost stable front splitter. good work---real grassroots stuff.
Last edited by olddragger; 02-16-2012 at 09:43 PM.
#31
Alright was talking to my friend and we might do a limited run of these through a group buy on the forums.
The company I would be producing it with is Shift Fast Performance so keep your eyes peeled.
Please PM me if you are serious about throwing down for one. The kit would include the splitter with all holes pre drilled, all the hardware and instructions on how to install it.
The company I would be producing it with is Shift Fast Performance so keep your eyes peeled.
Please PM me if you are serious about throwing down for one. The kit would include the splitter with all holes pre drilled, all the hardware and instructions on how to install it.
#33
Haven't priced out materials yet. I built the one I have with stuff laying around the garage, I'd need to source it first.
Also considering doing different versions with options for painting as well. I'm thinking plastic, like mine, alumalite, then foam core carbon fiber. Need to do some more R&D on different materials first though. I'm just kicking around ideas at this point. I'll say very loose idea of a ballpark though, anywhere from $250 to $500+ depending on what the numbers come out to and what materials make the cut.
Also considering doing different versions with options for painting as well. I'm thinking plastic, like mine, alumalite, then foam core carbon fiber. Need to do some more R&D on different materials first though. I'm just kicking around ideas at this point. I'll say very loose idea of a ballpark though, anywhere from $250 to $500+ depending on what the numbers come out to and what materials make the cut.
#36
Registered RX8 Nut
iTrader: (11)
I have had a functional Alumalite splitter for about 2 years and I have cracked 1 mazdaspeed bumper and destroyed a second and I am in the middle of a a redesign right now. So let me give you a few pointers.
1- Use splitter struts attached to the frame. This is not just for function, it is for impact resistance. That splitter WILL hit things and every impact is transfering force to your bumper. So if and when you have real impact (like digging into the sand/gravel during an offroad incident at laguna seca) something will have to give. In my case half the bumper was torn off. I suggest splitter struts to the crash bar and 1 more to the oil cooler bracket area (not easy to do with the stock bumper and oil coolers installed.
2- Do not attach to the bumper- Your splitter might be made of a cheap material but your bumper is more expensive, so dont risk your bumper. Build some sort of frame to attach the splitter to and use very light weight fasters to the bumper or better yet, nothing.
3- If your splitter isnt attached to a heavy duty frame, use a material that will bend or flex. This is why i like alumalite. It is strong but when impacted it will bend or crumble long before your frame. If you use thick ABS or CF they will take a very large impact but you can damage what every it is attached to. Just remember, something has to give. I use aluminum splitter struts that will bend before the frame. Plus in a crunch I can bend/pound them back straight.
1- Use splitter struts attached to the frame. This is not just for function, it is for impact resistance. That splitter WILL hit things and every impact is transfering force to your bumper. So if and when you have real impact (like digging into the sand/gravel during an offroad incident at laguna seca) something will have to give. In my case half the bumper was torn off. I suggest splitter struts to the crash bar and 1 more to the oil cooler bracket area (not easy to do with the stock bumper and oil coolers installed.
2- Do not attach to the bumper- Your splitter might be made of a cheap material but your bumper is more expensive, so dont risk your bumper. Build some sort of frame to attach the splitter to and use very light weight fasters to the bumper or better yet, nothing.
3- If your splitter isnt attached to a heavy duty frame, use a material that will bend or flex. This is why i like alumalite. It is strong but when impacted it will bend or crumble long before your frame. If you use thick ABS or CF they will take a very large impact but you can damage what every it is attached to. Just remember, something has to give. I use aluminum splitter struts that will bend before the frame. Plus in a crunch I can bend/pound them back straight.
#37
Modulated Moderator
iTrader: (3)
Haven't priced out materials yet. I built the one I have with stuff laying around the garage, I'd need to source it first.
Also considering doing different versions with options for painting as well. I'm thinking plastic, like mine, alumalite, then foam core carbon fiber. Need to do some more R&D on different materials first though. I'm just kicking around ideas at this point. I'll say very loose idea of a ballpark though, anywhere from $250 to $500+ depending on what the numbers come out to and what materials make the cut.
Also considering doing different versions with options for painting as well. I'm thinking plastic, like mine, alumalite, then foam core carbon fiber. Need to do some more R&D on different materials first though. I'm just kicking around ideas at this point. I'll say very loose idea of a ballpark though, anywhere from $250 to $500+ depending on what the numbers come out to and what materials make the cut.
Tegris
#39
great thread.... thumbs up on the R&D putting all the ideas together to have a nice finish product... in other thread u mentioned about building a rear diffuser as well I am interested in both concepts .... ur using a single sided exhaust right?
#41
A bit of a bump.
I looking at doing something like this but making out of 2 1/4 composite sheets bonded together.
On my 8 I have a replica MS front. has anyone got a splitter with an MS front? I'm planning on having it so it doesn't fasten to the bumper and having to supports from the crash bat to the front.
hopefully I will start this over the weekend.
I looking at doing something like this but making out of 2 1/4 composite sheets bonded together.
On my 8 I have a replica MS front. has anyone got a splitter with an MS front? I'm planning on having it so it doesn't fasten to the bumper and having to supports from the crash bat to the front.
hopefully I will start this over the weekend.
#42
Started the template today,
That's the rough one but you get the idea. I didn't do it very accurate and done it all by eye as you can tell because it's not square at all lol.
Flipped it over and done the proper template.
It would have been a bit easier it my bumper wasn't cable tied back together as it's a bit all over the place. If you can't read the writing it's 3.5 inches wider on the sides and 4.5 on the front. Hopefully I'll get round to cutting it out tomorrow.
I was planning on using Composite from my work, but after seeing this i might chance my mind.
That's the rough one but you get the idea. I didn't do it very accurate and done it all by eye as you can tell because it's not square at all lol.
Flipped it over and done the proper template.
It would have been a bit easier it my bumper wasn't cable tied back together as it's a bit all over the place. If you can't read the writing it's 3.5 inches wider on the sides and 4.5 on the front. Hopefully I'll get round to cutting it out tomorrow.
I was planning on using Composite from my work, but after seeing this i might chance my mind.
Last edited by Dan507; 01-26-2013 at 12:22 PM.
#44
yeah, I'm going to use supports to the crash bar just under the tow eye on both sides. I'm also going to fasten it to the bumper for a bit more support and it will also hold my bumper together.
#45
Just a bit more trimming and she's sweet. I'm going to use these for the support rods.
Aluminum Swedged Rods - 3/8 Inch Thread - Speedway Motors, America's Oldest Speed Shop
Precision RH Male Heim, 3/16 Inch - Speedway Motors, America's Oldest Speed Shop
Precision LH Male Heim, 3/16 Inch-(10-32) - Speedway Motors, America's Oldest Speed Shop
Last edited by Dan507; 01-27-2013 at 04:53 PM.
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hufflepuff (11-06-2020)
#49
It's does look kind of wide but that's what i'm going for plus. it will be more subtle in black.
I've trimmed it all up, it fits lovely. I have also drilled and tapped more holes in the subframe for more support. Just need to make the real one now.
I've trimmed it all up, it fits lovely. I have also drilled and tapped more holes in the subframe for more support. Just need to make the real one now.
#50
Registered RX8 Nut
iTrader: (11)
I lost a genuine MS bumper because my splitter was attached to the bumper and i had splitter struts and a support bar inside the bumper that was attached to the frame.
I stongly recommend to not attach to the bumper. Come up with something else.
And what material are you using for the splitter? Looks like some sort of wood. Im not a fan. I like alumalite. Strong but cheap and it will bend and flex if hit hard.
Lastly i hate splitters for street use and it wont take ling before you will too.
Good luck.
I stongly recommend to not attach to the bumper. Come up with something else.
And what material are you using for the splitter? Looks like some sort of wood. Im not a fan. I like alumalite. Strong but cheap and it will bend and flex if hit hard.
Lastly i hate splitters for street use and it wont take ling before you will too.
Good luck.