View Poll Results: What parts would you be interested in buying
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 74. You may not vote on this poll
GI: Functinal Aero Parts, Front splitter and underbelly pan
09-10-2010, 12:27 PM
#26
A little update.
The front splitter is the first product we are working on. My guy has looked at the car and come up with a design.
We are going to use a product that is being used by nascar and is becoming popular in other racing series. Sorry I dont know the name of it. Its similar to CF in strenth and weight but it can take a hit or a scrape and not splinter or crack. Instead the product will rub off (it has a rubber texture) The product stays stong and fuctional even if it has been rubbed paper thin. Because the product is kind of new it is a little expensive but not much more then you would pay for a company like APR to make you a splitter. Also volume will keep cost down so after the initial stock style and mazdaspeed splitters are built and tested a Group buy will be put together.
The splitter wont be a big piece that extends feet behind the front nose. Instead it will the shape of the nose but extend 4" out (shorter or longer custom sizes could be made but 4" is usually the best) It will have to connect to a solid subframe built under the car and have splitter struts attached to the front edge (will allow for adjustments). For the subframe we will build a lightweight aluminum tube that will run along the connecting point between the bumper and the plastic undertray. The subframe will also be braced to several solid points on the car.
Our goal is to make it strong but simple to install and simple to remove the splitter for street use.
I have a track day late in october so it is my goal to finish the splitter and test it at the track.
The front splitter is the first product we are working on. My guy has looked at the car and come up with a design.
We are going to use a product that is being used by nascar and is becoming popular in other racing series. Sorry I dont know the name of it. Its similar to CF in strenth and weight but it can take a hit or a scrape and not splinter or crack. Instead the product will rub off (it has a rubber texture) The product stays stong and fuctional even if it has been rubbed paper thin. Because the product is kind of new it is a little expensive but not much more then you would pay for a company like APR to make you a splitter. Also volume will keep cost down so after the initial stock style and mazdaspeed splitters are built and tested a Group buy will be put together.
The splitter wont be a big piece that extends feet behind the front nose. Instead it will the shape of the nose but extend 4" out (shorter or longer custom sizes could be made but 4" is usually the best) It will have to connect to a solid subframe built under the car and have splitter struts attached to the front edge (will allow for adjustments). For the subframe we will build a lightweight aluminum tube that will run along the connecting point between the bumper and the plastic undertray. The subframe will also be braced to several solid points on the car.
Our goal is to make it strong but simple to install and simple to remove the splitter for street use.
I have a track day late in october so it is my goal to finish the splitter and test it at the track.
09-24-2010, 11:55 AM
#35
My goal is to have the splitter installed before my next track day on october 22nd.
10-22-2010, 08:27 AM
#38
Prototype mazdaspeed splitter built and installed 18 Hours before hitting the track. We went with alumalite for now, which is much more affordable then the fancy nascar stuff. Might upgrade latter if enough people are in.
I will post more details along with pics and a review latter.
I will post more details along with pics and a review latter.
11-01-2010, 12:45 AM
#40
Mazdaspeed bumper Splitter Prototype: Pics and review.
18 hours before hitting the track the splitter was completed and installed so the cosmetic touches were not done. The final product will use SS splitter support rods, painted frame, the edges of the splitter covered/filled in and the splitter will be painted (black or metalic grey to match the mazdaspeed trim).
The splitter was made with 1/8"alumalight. It is a product mostly used for outdoor signs. It is strong, light weight and easy to work with. We were looking at going with a carbon fiber like product used by nascar, but it was a significantly more expensive.
I never saw the templete before my builder cut the splitter, if I had I would have told him to have the splitter stick out on the sides 1" and have the corners a little larger. I will probably have him cut me a second splitter before my next track day to see if there is an improvement.
Review:
My last few track days were in the mid 80's to upper 90's so getting tires warm was no issue, but on this track day it was cloudy and in the mid 60's so getting the tires up to temp took a while and the level of grip in the slower turns was still never great. Even so, I was able to enter the higher speed turns with more confidence and with more speed. I always make it a point to check my speed at the track out cones and on the two highest speed turns I was reaching 110 MPH and 92 VS 102 and 88 without splitter. Through the lower speed turns 60-80 MPH I felt the grip did improve as I was able to go full throttle earlier and I experianced less understeer. I have no hard data to substantiate that claim. I do have an APR GTC-200 rear wing and I was able to increase the wing angle of attack while keeping the car balanced. Prior to the splitter, the wing angle was 4-5 deg, after the splitter 8-10 deg
Overall, my lap times improved from 2:07 to 2:05.
The splitter was made with 1/8"alumalight. It is a product mostly used for outdoor signs. It is strong, light weight and easy to work with. We were looking at going with a carbon fiber like product used by nascar, but it was a significantly more expensive.
I never saw the templete before my builder cut the splitter, if I had I would have told him to have the splitter stick out on the sides 1" and have the corners a little larger. I will probably have him cut me a second splitter before my next track day to see if there is an improvement.
Review:
My last few track days were in the mid 80's to upper 90's so getting tires warm was no issue, but on this track day it was cloudy and in the mid 60's so getting the tires up to temp took a while and the level of grip in the slower turns was still never great. Even so, I was able to enter the higher speed turns with more confidence and with more speed. I always make it a point to check my speed at the track out cones and on the two highest speed turns I was reaching 110 MPH and 92 VS 102 and 88 without splitter. Through the lower speed turns 60-80 MPH I felt the grip did improve as I was able to go full throttle earlier and I experianced less understeer. I have no hard data to substantiate that claim. I do have an APR GTC-200 rear wing and I was able to increase the wing angle of attack while keeping the car balanced. Prior to the splitter, the wing angle was 4-5 deg, after the splitter 8-10 deg
Overall, my lap times improved from 2:07 to 2:05.
Last edited by Highway8; 11-01-2010 at 01:44 PM.
11-01-2010, 01:00 AM
#41
More pics
These pics show how the splitter was mounted. As you can see, we built a bar that goes inside the bumper, on top of the metal taps that connect the bumper to the plastic undertray. We drilled out the revits that attached the metal taps to the bumper and re-revited them back on sandwiched between the bar. The bar is attatched to the frame by using a bolt from the front bumper support. We drilled holes through the bumper and bolted the splitter to the bar. For the front support rods, a bracket was built and installed onto the front bumper support at the tow hook holes. Small holes were drilled into black plastic so the rods could stick through. We only used 2 support rods and the splitter is very secure but does flex a little on the side. The plan is to add two additional support rods on the side near the oil coolers.
If you drive your car on the street and the track and want to R&R the splitter before and after track days, it can be unbolted in about 10-15 minutes without removing the front bumper.
The only modifications to the car would be the holes drilled into the bottom of the bumper and the holes in the black plastic for the support rods.
If you drive your car on the street and the track and want to R&R the splitter before and after track days, it can be unbolted in about 10-15 minutes without removing the front bumper.
The only modifications to the car would be the holes drilled into the bottom of the bumper and the holes in the black plastic for the support rods.
But I would still like to see some more pics when it in completed, as well as the whole car to see how everything looks together!
11-01-2010, 06:06 AM
#43
Here was my design, very similar. I used 1/8th ABS though. and my rods arnt mounted yet, i do like where you have yours, saves the bumper
I took outline of bumper and moved the bumper back 2.5 inches and it left me this! looks great and have had great comments. however i do not no if it is functional. I do drive highway at 80 mph with no problems daily.
Last edited by Z0oMzo0m; 11-01-2010 at 06:08 AM. Reason: picture edit
11-01-2010, 10:40 AM
#44
I don't think your splitter is truly functional, but your goal was more cosmetic, so that's ok. 2.5" may be big enough to do something, but I guarantee the 1/8" abs will flex. Additionaly even if you used thicker abs, the bumper will flex too. This is why our design uses solid frame mounting locations for everything. If you are interested in a frame bar or the tow hook mounting brackets and bolts, pm me and I will have my builder give me a price.
11-01-2010, 12:32 PM
#45
I don't think your splitter is truly functional, but your goal was more cosmetic, so that's ok. 2.5" may be big enough to do something, but I guarantee the 1/8" abs will flex. Additionaly even if you used thicker abs, the bumper will flex too. This is why our design uses solid frame mounting locations for everything. If you are interested in a frame bar or the tow hook mounting brackets and bolts, pm me and I will have my builder give me a price.
but it does look good
lolMark
11-01-2010, 01:32 PM
#46
It's not going to flap but it will certainly flex downward at a certain force which will mute the aero grip affect
Hiway, I think you're overplaying the side extension given that you will never see extremely high triple digit cornering speeds. Yours is fairly close to the APR custom one I bought 2nd hand, but extends out 1" further. I'd leave it like that as the autox crowd won't want it to stick out any further in either direction. Doing so will only decrease clearance required to get around cones.
.
Hiway, I think you're overplaying the side extension given that you will never see extremely high triple digit cornering speeds. Yours is fairly close to the APR custom one I bought 2nd hand, but extends out 1" further. I'd leave it like that as the autox crowd won't want it to stick out any further in either direction. Doing so will only decrease clearance required to get around cones.
.
Last edited by TeamRX8; 11-01-2010 at 01:39 PM.
11-01-2010, 01:53 PM
#47
It's not going to flap but it will certainly flex downward at a certain force which will mute the aero grip affect
Hiway, I think you're overplaying the side extension given that you will never see extremely high triple digit cornering speeds. Yours is fairly close to the APR custom one I bought 2nd hand, but extends out 1" further. I'd leave it like that as the autox crowd won't want it to stick out any further in either direction. Doing so will only decrease clearance required to get around cones.
.
Hiway, I think you're overplaying the side extension given that you will never see extremely high triple digit cornering speeds. Yours is fairly close to the APR custom one I bought 2nd hand, but extends out 1" further. I'd leave it like that as the autox crowd won't want it to stick out any further in either direction. Doing so will only decrease clearance required to get around cones.
.
11-16-2010, 12:10 PM
#48
My fabricator was busy working on some race cars and could'nt get to cut out splitter design #2 before my latest track day. But I have posted some videos before and after the splitter. See thread https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/video-2-08-lap-thunderhill-racepark-willows-california-197683/
The biggest areas I see improvement with the splitter is on the high speed turns.
The biggest areas I see improvement with the splitter is on the high speed turns.
