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Another DIY splitter/air dam installation

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Old 11-28-2011, 12:10 PM
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Whoa! You guys ran 3+4? You must have been flying in to 1....awesome!
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Old 12-28-2011, 05:59 AM
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So I'm researching splitters and came across this thread. The air dam looks great and more importantly, looks functional.

So questions.

Is the ABS air dam just riveted/bolted to the stock bumper?

Is there anything supporting the bottom of the air dam besides being connected to the splitter?
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Old 12-28-2011, 09:35 AM
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It is riveted to the upper section of the stock bumper. The lower section of the bumper has been cut off.

The splitter is supported by separate structures bolted to the frame and the two turnbuckles visible in the front.
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Old 12-28-2011, 10:13 AM
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Cool thanks. Trying to get this done before the new time trial season starts in mid January.

I didn't think about how horrible the stock Miata's aero is until we did Firebird Main here. It uses the drag strip as part of the road course so there is a half mile straight. There is an NSX in my class that has ~15 less whp and about 400-500 more lbs, but he's going about 10 mph more than I am by the end of that half mile. Might be gearing also, but I'm sure this will help quite a bit.
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Old 12-29-2011, 09:25 PM
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a little of that could be do to corner exit speed difference. especially considering the fact that he has a mid engine car with alot wider rubber. But yes, miata's aren't very aerodynamic. Anyway, just wondered, what's your comp weight? (car+driver) that puts you in TTA with 251whp. And is that your reclass by greg g, or you up to TTA in points from TTB?
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Old 12-30-2011, 01:39 AM
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The options Greg gave me were TTA* I could do 235whp at 2160lb or 262whp at 2338lbs. He gave me a TTB** option of 235whp at 2440lbs, but doesn't make any sense to do that one due to the base tire size points refund. The difference between running TTB** and TTA* is five points with the change in base class tire size when running 225s, so basically 5 points is buying me 27hp and about 100lb lighter. Points breakdown is
-19 for 225s, +7 NT01s, +3 6 speed, +3 LSD, +3 shocks, +2 springs, +2 sway bars, +3 air dam, +3 splitter, +4 wing, +7 for *.

So 18 points into TTA. I ran this last year with a 5 speed, no aero, and old suspension. Just had all that budgeted beforehand when I picked my class, except the 6 speed. I blew my second 5 speed this year at the Dec event, so decided to not do canards and diffuser to have a better chance at not losing another transmission. Added the 6 speed, XIDA-S, APR GTC200 wing this month so far. Just need to build that front air dam/splitter and setup the suspension height/corner balance before mid Jan.

My last comp weight was 2400 with 3/4 gas. I'll be gutting the doors and exercising to get that last 50ish lbs out of the car to get near the limit.
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Old 12-30-2011, 08:35 AM
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That's the 1st I've heard of him giving an option to base-class a miata in TTA - all the points adders, this is why I'm just going to run TTS and suck it up.
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Old 01-13-2012, 11:41 PM
  #28  
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Figure I'll just tack this on here instead of creating a new thread. Thanks to ZX-Tex and Handy Man on how to do the front end. Also thanks the BBundy on his idea on mounting a universal GTC-200.

So first off, I have never really tried to fabricate anything like this. I've only done bolt on type stuff. It's been ages since I've worked with wood, and this is my first attempt at using fiberglass resin so the finish came out pretty crappy. It should be mostly functional still







The splitter is 1/2" birch, couldn't find 3/8 around here. The bumper is 1/8" abs plastic.

I couldn't find any L shaped garden edging at the local Lowes and Home Depot, so I used garage door weatherstripping to try to seal the bottom edge. Connecting the abs to the splitter I used Dzus fasteners. The top is just 3/16" rivets.

Many people use splats or canards to try to cover up the exposed tire on the sides. I'm points limited for TT, so I flared the abs out some to cover the tires. Just put two L brackets together and rivited it. It is about 2.5 inches out on each side.

These pictures are test fitting after I did the fiberglass. For some reason the driver's side is hanging a little lower than before. It is just a little over 3.5" off the ground. The backside is mounted to the steering rack on a second smaller piece.

The wing is mounted using BBundy's method. I only have single risers, and the stock wing is a single piece all the way across which prevented me from opening the trunk with the APR installed. I removed the hinges and installed hood pins to the front corners of the trunk, and it still uses the stock latch on the back.





Still more stuff to do, but the next event is tomorrow so ran out of time to make it look pretty.
Attached Thumbnails Another DIY splitter/air dam installation-img_1047.jpg   Another DIY splitter/air dam installation-img_1048.jpg   Another DIY splitter/air dam installation-img_1049.jpg   Another DIY splitter/air dam installation-img_1006.jpg   Another DIY splitter/air dam installation-img_1009.jpg  

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Old 01-16-2012, 12:13 AM
  #29  
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Looks really good
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Old 05-12-2019, 11:57 AM
  #30  
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Does anyone have the general measurements of the ABS sheets? Local place only does 4x8..I would need to cut it down to fit in the car.
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Old 05-13-2019, 09:41 AM
  #31  
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Just roll it, hold it together with spring clamps, and toss in the passenger seat.
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Old 11-10-2019, 08:06 PM
  #32  
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Default Aero Baby Step

I am on a long Aero project. I work really slow. I have really liked this thread. To me step one is giving the air coming through the nose a place to go so you are not a hovercraft. So, here is a DIY hood vent. Time: 30+hr drafting, 6hr install including template construction. I have only completed the driver’s side. Passenger side for another day off. $100 in water jet time.



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