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-   -   My Functional Front Splitter Build (https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-exterior-appearance-body-kits-27/my-functional-front-splitter-build-227939/)

alnielsen 02-16-2012 02:13 AM


Originally Posted by Arca_ex (Post 4187970)
And who is Denny?

I believe the Denny, he is refering to, goes by the member name olddragger.

P. Swayzee 02-16-2012 02:37 PM

Also interested. Keep us updated if you decide to produce a couple and ship them. Paypal payment is waiting to be sent lol

dmedz8 02-16-2012 08:05 PM

+1 I'm interested

olddragger 02-16-2012 09:39 PM

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.

Hydr0nium 02-16-2012 10:10 PM

I'd be interested as well. It doesn't even need to be CF, could be just like the one you made. But if you are willing to produce, I will probably buy.

Arca_ex 02-18-2012 12:28 AM

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.

dmedz8 02-18-2012 01:29 AM

Ballpark price?

Arca_ex 02-18-2012 01:53 AM


Originally Posted by dmedz8 (Post 4192226)
Ballpark price?

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.

dmedz8 02-19-2012 03:21 AM

If it were no more than $600 I would buy one for sure. GL and I hope you can produce these out of cf!

alnielsen 02-19-2012 09:39 AM


Originally Posted by olddragger (Post 4191267)
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!

I was down there before they put that turn in. You used to fly at high speeds on that blind right hand turn under the bridge. That's why there is so much run-off area on the left all the way down to the old pit entrance.

Highway8 02-19-2012 10:51 AM

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.

dannobre 02-19-2012 12:04 PM


Originally Posted by Arca_ex (Post 4192229)
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.


Tegris :)

Highway8 02-19-2012 01:40 PM


Originally Posted by dannobre (Post 4192831)
Tegris :)

Awesome splitter product but expensive and it has to be attached to a solid frame capable of supporting substantial forces both vertical and horizontal.

dafiro03 02-22-2012 11:13 PM

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?

ZouRx8 02-24-2012 11:02 PM

Could you build me one out of plywood like Jeremy Clarkson does on Top gear?:lol:

I would be honestly interested in a group buy for this.

Dan507 01-17-2013 03:51 PM

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.

Dan507 01-26-2013 12:19 PM

Started the template today,

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8516/8...f687cb1b_c.jpg

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.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8233/8...0cd9b907_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8468/8...0526e0bf_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8366/8...e269d205_c.jpg

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.


TopGear8 01-26-2013 01:38 PM

Are you going to use supports to the frame? Or just have it held on by the bumper..

Dan507 01-26-2013 01:58 PM

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.

Dan507 01-27-2013 11:20 AM

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8464/8...086579ca_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8509/8...0286dccd_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8358/8...dba97f7e_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8494/8...c9e6e57f_c.jpg

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

TopGear8 01-27-2013 01:08 PM

Seems a bit wide to me..

dannobre 01-27-2013 02:20 PM

Watch it doesn't pull off your front bumper....you might want to add braces to the bumper support or frame rails

TopGear8 01-27-2013 04:05 PM

^He did say he was going to add supports to the crash bar.

Dan507 02-02-2013 12:11 PM

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.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8504/8...9d23f653_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8332/8...e7662c1c_c.jpg

Highway8 02-02-2013 08:35 PM

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.


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