Custom RX8 Front Splitter
 

First of all, I really want to thank everyone on this forum for posts, opinions, and never ending supply of technical info and research. This forum has made my life sooo much easier in so many ways when it comes to fitments and general product knowledge, now I want to add a bit of my own.

I made this splitter last weekend mostly for aesthetics, but it is also fully functional and adjustable. I removed the lower front lip (the air dam I believe) with the rotary accent in the center. I was getting tired of the triangles EVERYWHERE on this car, and the front end needed a bit of a pick me up.

It is made out of ¼” ABS plastic, textured on one side and smooth on the other side. I tested a few materials including PVC sheets type 1 & 2 and plexi, and the ABS was the most flexible, and resistant to cracking and chipping. The turnbuckles are marine grade stainless steel, very nice. They are off the car right now and out for flat black powder coating as i’m not crazy about the way the turnbuckles stand out so much.

I am REALLY pleased with the outcome, the front end is much more aggressive now and the clearance is actually better than before.

I will post a DIY on this in the days to come, it was pretty simple to do. For now, here are some pics. Let me know what you think!

Thanks again guys, keep up the good work!

http://www.bendrolet.com/RX8/PSF34_Low_1.jpg
http://www.bendrolet.com/RX8/TopFront_Cleaned_1.jpg
http://www.bendrolet.com/RX8/Front_Cleaned.jpg


Like I promised, here is my splitter DIY:

First, remove the front fascia, then unscrew the piece of the air dam that comes off with the fascia. I traced out the shape of the original air dam (just the front lip section, which is easily removed once the fascia is off, the lower air diversion plates are still used in the installation) onto a few pieces of foam core or a large sheet of paper. Then draw out the shape that you want the splitter to be. This part took the most time as you want to get the shape just right or it will look like $#it.

http://www.bendrolet.com/RX8/DSC_3502.jpg

http://www.bendrolet.com/RX8/DSC_3271.jpg

http://www.bendrolet.com/RX8/DSC_3268.jpg

Then cut it out and test fit it on the fascia using tape or screws to hold it in place. At this point, you can put it on the car to get an idea of what it will look like.

http://www.bendrolet.com/RX8/DSC_3273.jpg

Trace the shape onto a sheet of ABS plastic and cut it out using a jigsaw. Use a coarse tip blade for this because the plastic has a tendency to heat up and ‘re-weld’ itself together after the cut when a fine bit is used.

Use an orbital or belt sander to smooth out the edges and shape it into a nice smooth curve, then I used a router on the edges. Cut and adhered the mounting plates (on the outside edges) for support at the mounting point. I used an acidic compound to melt the two pieces together which is much stronger than using glue. Then sand the top of the piece down with a coarse grit sandpaper to dull the mirror finish of the ABS sheet.

http://www.bendrolet.com/RX8/DSC_3288.jpg

http://www.bendrolet.com/RX8/DSC_3291.jpg

Then paint it or have it painted. I used flat black fusion spray paint. It bonds with plastics, and is wet sandable. I did about 6 coats, and 2-3 coats of matte clear coat for protection. Then I let it dry overnight.

Clamp the splitter in place on the fascia, and drill out the holes for the bolts and nuts to hold the splitter in place. See pic for my suggested mounting points. I used black anodized bolts and nuts for this application. There are two bolts on each side that hold it firmly.

http://www.bendrolet.com/RX8/DSC_3299.jpg

http://www.bendrolet.com/RX8/DSC_3294.jpg

The rotary symbol on the stock air dam works as a support for the center, and the splitter will require this as well. I fabricated two support brackets out of some scrap aluminum that I had in the garage. These brackets connect to the two mounting points that the OE air dam is connected to (the two center screws of the ten that hold the air dam in place).

http://www.bendrolet.com/RX8/DSC_3279.jpg

http://www.bendrolet.com/RX8/DSC_3295.jpg

Then connect the turnbuckles where they look best, but still close enough to the center to be effective. I used anodized allan screws and rubber washers to connect the turnbuckles. Don’t tighten everything up just yet, wait until it is on the car to do that.

Mount the fascia (after removing the Vfad!) and connected the two aluminum bracket braces utilizing the factory holes in the lower air dam. Don’t forget to re-connect your fog lights now if you have them.

Finish putting all the screws and plastic fasteners back in, adjust the height of your splitter, and you’re done


http://www.bendrolet.com/RX8/DSC_3300.jpg

http://www.bendrolet.com/RX8/DSC_3303.jpg


Note: The turnbuckles are at the shop getting a black powder coat, and I’ve been driving the car without them with no noise or vibration issues, so they are not necessary for the splitter. If you plan on using the vehicle on the track or at very high speeds though, it is a good idea to have the adjustability and extra support in the front.

I hope this was helpful!

that turned out really good. cant wait for a diy. what did this cost u approxametely and how long?

I took the front bumper off on saturday morning and put the completed piece back on on sunday morning. I let the paint dry overnight. The turnbuckles cost about $30, and the sheet of ABS was $150, but I have enough material left to make a few more. Other than that, I used a few sheets of foam core and some flat black spraypaint. I'll work on the DIY and pics tonight. Glad you like it!

ya man it looks way good. my air dam is getting beet up an i might as well replace it with something like this. here did u get the abs from?

i look your stance. what are you on and what are your wheel specs?

also if u can put links on the diy thatd be sick. if u have extra material. ill buy a made one off of you? u should consider making and selling completed ones... dibs on #1 haha

a sign shop in orange, I don't remember the name, but i can find out

I have enough material to make a few more, minus the turnbuckles, I had to order those from a boat store in VT. I can make you one if you want, but it will probably cost about $200ish

the wheels are stock size, 18" x 8", but I have some serious hub-centric spacers on there, 25mm all around. No rubbing, not even rolled. The suspension is Tein Basic. I would have gone with just springs, but I have audio equipment in the trunk that comes out on track days, so I needed the adjustability.

nice, that means your offset is +25. really aggressive. and yeah, i figured you were on tein basics. i recognize the stance. one day....

oh i didnt notice u lived in oc. thats tight. hmmm 200 i might be way intersted if i say it up close. where in oc u at?

Right next door, Mission Viejo.

no way i work on crown valley haha. and live on alicia.

pm me, I'll get you my number

I'd like to see this under the OEM appearance package lip.

Im curious about how you arrived at the design,,,
I designed and built one , as far as I can tell, exactly like it, two years ago and put it on this past summer,,,,
I designed mine off the lines of my Burnout chin spoiler...

http://a.imagehost.org/0173/CIMG2043.jpg

http://a.imagehost.org/0595/CIMG2044.jpg

http://a.imagehost.org/0958/CIMG2045.jpg

http://a.imagehost.org/0488/CIMG2049.jpg

Yes, Rotr, I am familiar with your stuff, and you are a mod god (I love the side ducts you made too), there is no question. There really isn't too much else that you can do with a splitter though, it either has fangs or its in a strait line. I just followed the lines of the car like you did. Did you ever complete that one? It looks good.

Its complete, Iwas just curious how you attatched yours, thats all,,, I wasnt trying to make anything of it,,,

Hell Id even give people my .dxf if they wanted to make thier own,,, but not too many people have access to a waterjet,,,

I'll post the diy tonight. It attaches with six bolts, two brackets (in back) and two turnbuckles in front. I want to eventually make two small (1-2 inch tall) wings on the sides to continue the lines up to the wheel well, but I don't have your skill/knowledge with wet materials, so it will have to wait. I love to draw this stuff, but creating it is a lot harder than most people think :)

I was also looking into getting carbon fiber cloth and resin, but that may be taking it a step too far...

that looks really good with the splitter. jamm. idk if id be able to meet up tonight. i gotta drive to anaheim after work. how long would it take to make? im still considering. i just have to pay my vw paint guy.

wow that looks really good, this is the type of projet i may look into this spring. thanks guys

I could probably knock it out this weekend, sorry I missed you after work fri, having issues with my blackberry!

its cool i called u back. atm im looking to get get a front end actually either ms or ings so idk if this will work out if do get it.

u should still sell em hey mights be able to make back the money u spent

i have one also but my goes back alot further
Attachment 271728

did u make it?

no apr made it but i gave them the specs of how car i wanted it to go back...

I love how this is all DIY and that it looks exceptionally well made. That said, does it not look to anyone else that at this angle you will get more positive pressure below the lip, rather than above, causing some positive lift, if anything?

the amount of lift or downforce we're talking about here is reeeeally minimal until you get up into zoomzoom speeds

120 isn't too zumzumn and I'd bet if there would be any effect, it would be noticeable at that speed. The lip itself won't make the downforce, or lack thereof, the pressure buildup above or below will allow the car to have downforce, or a lack thereof. Did that make sense? lol...

wow~
i want one of those.
i wish i am skillful as you
lucky you.
diy???

Heh, you are absolutely correct. I have a big dip at the end of my driveway, and i set it high just to be sure because this was the first time I pulled it out. I have since lowered the lip. Since the turnbuckles aren't here right now, I can't measure exactly how much movement the splitter has, but it is at least 3 inches, maybe more. Once I get the turnbuckles powder coated, I'll take more pics with the splitter adjusted lower.

yeah Tilt is right, splitters arent for creating downforce thier description is in the name, it further extentd the seperation of the high and low pressure zones at the front of the car,,,
According to Sylvain Trembley the ideal setup would be to trace a 2.5in perimeter around the MS front bumper and that will be fine,,,
And yes it take effect well before you reach triple digits,,,

all aero components start to have an effect above 40mph...

well fuck me i guess i have no idea what im talkin about. so basically it just cuts the air better? forcing it above and below it with more efficiency?

Were can I buy that abs plastic...

The air that gets under the car is turbulant. It will build up and cause lift. The splitter will force more air to go over and around your car. Not necessarly to provide downforce, but to reduce the aero lift.

Having an effect and feeling an effect are a bit different IMO. I would be surprised if you could feel the effect of a homemade splitter at 40mph, regardless of whether the change were for better or for worse. IMO it's negligible at such low speeds...

edit: OP - just remember, you want it parallel to the ground, not slanted too far down :)

well, we shall see. I'm going to tear it up this weekend, and I'll let you know if I notice a difference or not

yup

So, I took it out this weekend and had at it. I am sorry to say that there was very little difference at speeds below 70, but after that, there was a noticeable increase in traction & handling. I am also getting about 1-2 more mpg (on the first tank since I put the splitter on), but this may have to do with the vfad removal that I did when I put the splitter on. It has also been unusually cool here in SoCal this week.

Overall, for the daily driver, I would say that this will be mostly a visual impact on the car, though my butt dyno tells me that it does have an impact on performance at higher speeds.

I did cut out the other three this weekend, and I have a few for sale if anyone is interested. I will post it in the for sale thread this week.

Thanks again for all the input guys!

lol @ tiltmode. yep.

i was going to say that it wouldnt be a noticeable affect until after 100mph. but if its noticeable above 70, hey, nice.

like the oem rear spoiler. i went spoilerless, and over 100mph, the car feels less stable. it feels like it floats more.

i might not be getting a ms front for a while u still selling for 2 bills? or cheaper?

Yes sir, I have three, two with the fangs, and one that is smooth. I am selling them for $200 unpainted, $235 painted flat black and ready to install.

Hey are these still up for sale?

cool little idea! +1

holy thread resurrection batman.

i guess...

Makes me want to get a splitter.

I love the look!!! anyone try this for the rear? i might do both this weekend depending on the weather.

^ Rear? How are you gonna put it and where? :scratchhe