Front splitter material question

[santacruzx]

I am looking to fabricate a front splitter for my road race LS1 RX7. I need something light and stiff, like a carbonfiber or fiberglass honeycomb panel. Probably 1/4" to 5/8" in thickness. I know I can have a shop custom fab a panel, but does anyone know a less-expensive source? Something I can buy off the shelf, manufacturing drops, surplus or something? I would try fiberglass wrapped plywood but I am afraid I'll catch it on fire. Aluminum might work but it will need more stiffening and I am not sure how the leading edge would hold up or if I caught the leading edge on something would it tear it apart and fold it up under the car.

Anyway, does anyone have a idea for what material to use?

[ROCNDAV]

ask 6literEater, he makes them for F bodies.

[Killer_Bluebird]

Lexan or Thick Clear Acrylic?

[santacruzx]

I suppose lexan would work, acrylic is kind of brittle. Still a honeycomb panel would be both lighter and stiffer than either.

[NJSPDER]

BAsically you want to use something that, in the case of bottom out or unplanned impact, will wither crack or fall off in small pieces. Things that come apart in chunks or bend back under the car are no good. Acrylic or thick lexan will work, fiberglass or carbon fiber is better because of the nature in which it "fails".

[crainholio]

The car I saw photos of from the Pony Express a few years back had a front air dam made of riveted-on ABS that was designed to wear off as the car's downforce put it in contact w/ the road. Ablative air damming.

By the end of the run, the dam was a few inches shorter than it was at the starting line.

I think the guy's name was Alan Blaine and I've seen him posting on frrax.com. The co-pilot may have been the guy who now runs Carolina Auto Masters.

[santacruzx]

How about a sheet of plastic with a piano hinge at the trailing edge, say about the front wheel centerline and some skateboard trucks and wheels at the leading edge? As long as the track is smooth, the air dam or splitter will tight to the asphalt. Should produce a lot of downforce.

[crainholio]

Originally Posted by santacruzx

How about a sheet of plastic with a piano hinge at the trailing edge, say about the front wheel centerline and some skateboard trucks and wheels at the leading edge?

Won't pass any serious tech inspection. The skateboard parts become hazards when they fly off at 100+ MPH. (or when the guy whose car they hit comes looking for you in the pits afterward)

[Killer_Bluebird]

Here is a nice aluminum setup:


Here is the thread with some more info and pictures as well as a other builds.

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by Killer_Bluebird

Lexan or Thick Clear Acrylic?

Yup LEXAN.

I used Lexan under the fiberglass splitter.

The Lexon diffuser goes from under the splitter back to the center of the front axle point

[CTSmechanic]

We run splittiers on our race trucks identical to the COT's we buy it in sheet form I can find out where we get it... It holds up well to being ground on asphalt much better than lexan...

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by CTSmechanic

We run splittiers on our race trucks identical to the COT's we buy it in sheet form I can find out where we get it... It holds up well to being ground on asphalt much better than lexan...

That would be great.

[fast377]

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

That would be great.

Yes it would. Usually they are made from that honeycomb stuff wrapped in carbon...and strong enough to stand on...and hurt like a bastard when you bust your shins on them.

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by fast377

Yes it would. Usually they are made from that honeycomb stuff wrapped in carbon...and strong enough to stand on...and hurt like a bastard when you bust your shins on them.

Oh I hear you.

My front tow hook gets my shins all the time too.

[SIK02SS]

i'm using the shape of 6litres as my template for a carbon fiber. i already have one of his, and i'll prolly start on the cf one this weekend. still not sure if i want to make a full front air dam or not though...

i know, this doesnt help you at all

[6LITEREATER]

Originally Posted by santacruzx

I am looking to fabricate a front splitter for my road race LS1 RX7. I need something light and stiff, like a carbonfiber or fiberglass honeycomb panel. Probably 1/4" to 5/8" in thickness. I know I can have a shop custom fab a panel, but does anyone know a less-expensive source? Something I can buy off the shelf, manufacturing drops, surplus or something? I would try fiberglass wrapped plywood but I am afraid I'll catch it on fire. Aluminum might work but it will need more stiffening and I am not sure how the leading edge would hold up or if I caught the leading edge on something would it tear it apart and fold it up under the car.

Anyway, does anyone have a idea for what material to use?

Well, for high-end real road races we used HDPE (High Density Poly Ethelene). This is what we put on Chris' car...

It doesn't break or crack if you hit it and it goes back to shape easily if it does get warped or bent. Not to mention SUPER durable for scrapes.

For everyday drivers we use the 1/4" ABS... Still a great piece.

Aluminum isn't a bad idea, just will require maintenance, possible replacement if ran over...

I WOULD NOT USE:

Fiberglass (too fragile)
Acrylic (can't even drill this it is so fragile, it is basically sugar glass)
Lexan (made to get hit with things, not scrape or bend)

A good alternative (if you want something slightly stiffer than ABS) is Carbon Fiber but it is expensive.

Fiberglass WRAPPED in CF is not a bad idea.

If you're going for long term use I would make a cardboard template then buy a sheet of pre-preg carbon fiber (1/4") big enough to make it out of, bake it in a local car paint oven (flat) and then cut out the shape from your template....

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by 6LITEREATER

Fiberglass WRAPPED in CF is not a bad idea.

If you're going for long term use I would make a cardboard template then buy a sheet of pre-preg carbon fiber (1/4") big enough to make it out of, bake it in a local car paint oven (flat) and then cut out the shape from your template....

That is what I was thinking of, and having a spare in the trailer.

[CTSmechanic]

If you run the CF over the ground its going to fray like a mother then you'll have your self a flat tire from CF debris.... The true splitter material is made by Miliken plastic in SC. There isnt anything listed on their site but I should have the price of a sheet by tuesday... Theres also Jabrock.....

[fast377]

Originally Posted by CTSmechanic

If you run the CF over the ground its going to fray like a mother then you'll have your self a flat tire from CF debris.... The true splitter material is made by Miliken plastic in SC. There isnt anything listed on their site but I should have the price of a sheet by tuesday... Theres also Jabrock.....

Excellent . Hopefully it won't be too bad...I've been wanting to do one for a while now (as a solid structure you can stand on...like the real ones).

[The Crazy Sweed]

For the RX7 i would go with an other front end.

for example like this one installed on a friend of mines car.