Race Prep Miata race-only chat.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Difflow Lotus Diffuser Installed

Old 04-30-2012, 02:58 PM
  #1  
Newb
Thread Starter
 
FTNguyen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 12
Total Cats: 1
Default Difflow Lotus Diffuser Installed

Just purchased my first Miata, a little over a month ago, getting started on getting some aero parts on it.

This is a 5 element Railer Jr. made by Difflow for the Elise/Exige.

I made two custom brackets to use all the stock lotus mounting points for the diffuser. The top one replaces the rear subframe brace. The bottom one bolts to the inner bumper.





But this is what it ends up looking like.







Attached Thumbnails Difflow Lotus Diffuser Installed-2877f583.jpg   Difflow Lotus Diffuser Installed-19c8617f.jpg   Difflow Lotus Diffuser Installed-img5030-xl.jpg   Difflow Lotus Diffuser Installed-img5309-xl.jpg   Difflow Lotus Diffuser Installed-img5311-xl.jpg  

Difflow Lotus Diffuser Installed-img5310-xl.jpg  
FTNguyen is offline  
Old 04-30-2012, 06:05 PM
  #2  
Junior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
glade's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: albion, mi
Posts: 319
Total Cats: 17
Default

So, you kept the stock parachute-effect bumper, but added a super expensive diffuser that's not mounted in an effective location.....cool story bro
glade is offline  
Old 04-30-2012, 06:41 PM
  #3  
Bannisheded
iTrader: (1)
 
GAMO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 203
Total Cats: 9
Default

Originally Posted by glade
So, you kept the stock parachute-effect bumper, but added a super expensive diffuser that's not mounted in an effective location.....cool story bro
That's not the only dumb thing he's done judging by the bumper stick on the hardtop.
GAMO is offline  
Old 04-30-2012, 06:43 PM
  #4  
Elite Member
iTrader: (7)
 
mgeoffriau's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Jackson, MS
Posts: 7,388
Total Cats: 474
Default

Originally Posted by gamo
that's not the only dumb thing he's done judging by the bumper stick on the hardtop.
Wrong.
mgeoffriau is offline  
Old 04-30-2012, 08:47 PM
  #5  
Bannisheded
iTrader: (1)
 
GAMO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 203
Total Cats: 9
Default

You could be right, he could have bought that splitter with bitcoins.
GAMO is offline  
Old 04-30-2012, 09:20 PM
  #6  
Elite Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Faeflora's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 8,682
Total Cats: 130
Default

Looks highly streetable! Like!
Faeflora is offline  
Old 04-30-2012, 09:32 PM
  #7  
Newb
 
Blueroadztr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 3
Total Cats: 0
Default

FTN,

Looks good, props for your engineering, I am also looking to install an Elise diffuser and was looking for a mounting solution. Not too sure about the angle of the diffuser, according to a thread on Miata the angle needs to be about 7-15 degrees(?) yours doesn't look too far off. There's probably less parachute effect than is thought due to the fact that the majority of the airflow is slowed down from the undercarriage bits, but, anything you can do to keep air from getting on top the diffuser is good. Also, good for leaving a slot between the bumper and the diffuser as an exit for any air that does get there..
Blueroadztr is offline  
Old 05-01-2012, 09:36 AM
  #8  
Junior Member
 
GT42R's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 127
Total Cats: -1
Default

Best one I've seen yet, but that's not saying much.

Not a big fan of the recent trend in the scene of every other ricer trying to jump on the rear diffuser band wagon, seemingly mostly motivated by the looks (irony being it looks like ----) rather than the function. Aero is tricky business, so I don't say this in absolute terms, but I think without properly sorted under-body aero from head to tail, the rear diffuser does ****-le-all for wake improvements.
GT42R is offline  
Old 05-01-2012, 10:14 AM
  #9  
Elite Member
iTrader: (6)
 
Bond's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Southlake,Texas
Posts: 3,219
Total Cats: 15
Default

I bet it's hammered/broken in 2 weeks of street use.
Bond is offline  
Old 05-01-2012, 10:21 AM
  #10  
Elite Member
iTrader: (12)
 
chpmnsws6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Springfield IL
Posts: 2,712
Total Cats: 25
Default

Needs pulled up around 8-12 inches.
chpmnsws6 is offline  
Old 05-01-2012, 10:43 AM
  #11  
Junior Member
 
jboogie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Asheville, NC
Posts: 143
Total Cats: 0
Default

Testing?
jboogie is offline  
Old 05-01-2012, 10:54 AM
  #12  
Newb
 
PatrickG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Springfield, MA
Posts: 7
Total Cats: 0
Default

Originally Posted by chpmnsws6
Needs pulled up around 8-12 inches.
How much higher could you actually get this without some really crazy modification? I agree that it could be a bit higher up, but I'm not sure if it would even be possible. (Note: I haven't spent any time at all looking at this on my own car with the bumper off)
PatrickG is offline  
Old 05-01-2012, 11:00 AM
  #13  
Elite Member
iTrader: (12)
 
chpmnsws6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Springfield IL
Posts: 2,712
Total Cats: 25
Default

Originally Posted by PatrickG
How much higher could you actually get this without some really crazy modification? I agree that it could be a bit higher up, but I'm not sure if it would even be possible. (Note: I haven't spent any time at all looking at this on my own car with the bumper off)
Cut the bumper, trim the diffuser, profit.
chpmnsws6 is offline  
Old 05-01-2012, 11:25 AM
  #14  
Newb
Thread Starter
 
FTNguyen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 12
Total Cats: 1
Default

LOL everyone's an aerodynamicist...

I have absolutely 0 desire to raise the angle of the diffuser.

It's sitting at a stock Elise angle right now, with the leading edge even with the floor of the car. The Center 3 elements are at 10^0, and the outer two are at 20^0.

I got about 60 laps at my local track in the weekend i purchased the car, I'll be back out in the next few weeks to get my take on the diffuser...It will eventually all be a part of a bigger aero package i have in mind.

I agree the diffuser alone does not do magic and create tons of down force, does it do a little probably, can you feel the difference not sure yet.

Think of it this way does a wing work with a hardtop/top up? does it do absolutely nothing with the top down? Similar aero theory at work. Smoothing out air flow will always help, but having turbulence doesn't instantly negate all else.
FTNguyen is offline  
Old 05-01-2012, 11:55 AM
  #15  
Junior Member
 
GT42R's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 127
Total Cats: -1
Default

Don't think you can draw those comparisons in effectiveness between a mostly cosmetic diffuser upgrade, to a wing that will still function regardless of how poorly it may be set up.

Point is, that is a huge, tacky eye-sore of a mod for what could be a negligible improvement in aero/wake. You got to get the under-body aero well sorted for it to be even remotely functional.
GT42R is offline  
Old 05-01-2012, 12:03 PM
  #16  
Elite Member
iTrader: (12)
 
chpmnsws6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Springfield IL
Posts: 2,712
Total Cats: 25
Default

It just reminds me of the time at the Zoo.

Oh wait, here it is-
Attached Thumbnails Difflow Lotus Diffuser Installed-ar127664045155328.jpg  
chpmnsws6 is offline  
Old 05-01-2012, 11:31 PM
  #17  
Senior Member
 
mx5-kiwi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Auckland, NZ
Posts: 992
Total Cats: 57
Default

Well despite some of the usual A-hole reactions.... (you need a really thick skin here...)

I think it has potential and look forward to seeing and hearing the development as it comes along.
mx5-kiwi is offline  
Old 05-01-2012, 11:51 PM
  #18  
Elite Member
iTrader: (11)
 
miatauser884's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,959
Total Cats: 11
Default

I admit that I would like to see it molded into the bumper to clean it up a bit, but I admire the handywork.

Sounds like form over function is the name of your game, and I think that is the right way to go. What's the rest of the aero setup that you have in mind?
miatauser884 is offline  
Old 05-01-2012, 11:57 PM
  #19  
Junior Member
 
fwMiata's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 237
Total Cats: 1
Default

i bet that it creates more drag than it helps being that low...
fwMiata is offline  
Old 05-02-2012, 01:34 AM
  #20  
Elite Member
iTrader: (24)
 
viperormiata's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Key West
Posts: 6,110
Total Cats: 283
Default

You just added more drag. The stock bumper is a parachute. You need to cut into the stock bumper and raise the diffuser.

Think this:
Attached Thumbnails Difflow Lotus Diffuser Installed-finished2.jpg  
viperormiata is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Difflow Lotus Diffuser Installed



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:24 PM.