New air splitter - what do you think?
 

I was inspired by a previous thread on air aerodynamics and aesthetics of making an air splitter and decided to make one myself. I am not sure if this is the final version or not, but I think it looks pretty good. For ease and simplicity, I made it out of some 1/4" acrylic I had lying around the shop. I might end up taking it off and using it as a form to make a fiberglass part. Anyway, what do you guys think of version 1?

http://img264.imageshack.us/my.php?image=026fa0.jpg
http://img148.imageshack.us/my.php?image=024lp3.jpg
http://img148.imageshack.us/my.php?image=018uw0.jpg
http://img148.imageshack.us/my.php?image=019tx8.jpg

looks like TDR's. but it looks great as is. it is just a splitter or did you incorporate it as a under tray as well, which would be just as beneficial. What did you cut it with?

To add on to what Scott's saying - I've read that a splitter-style air dam is not much use without an undertray.

I'd also be tempted to make it stick out further, but that's probably just aesthetics speaking.

and does it point up like TDRs?

it is pretty flat as I mounted it to the air dam. It does have a small undertray, but it is probably not continuous. My goal was mainly aesthetic with some aerodynamic benefits if I could get any. Most of the time, I don't drive in a region where I would get any aerodynamic benefit from this anyway. As for making it stick out further, I thought about that, but decided I would go a little smaller on the first attempt and make it bigger if I thought it needed it. I kind of like the understated look.

As for cutting it, I roughed cut it with my bandsaw but I made a template from 1/4" MDF and then used a flush trim bit in my router to do the final trimming. Slow speeds prevent it from burring. The edge is pretty smooth, but I did sand it a little bit as well.

btw sounds like emilio/gearhead's garage are coming out with an undertray very soon.

I think it looks good as hell. I want one.

As for gearheads garage, they just cake out with a coolant reroute as well. Pretty much the same thing as BEGI, but twice the cost. If they're undertray has similar pricing, i'll still most likely put my own together.

here's mine with TDR splitter, I'll have a look into an undertray aswell maybe
https://www.miataturbo.net/gallery/f...0255_thumb.jpg

Looks sweet! I like how you contoured it to accentuate the air ducts. The front of your car looks exactly like mine, down to the grill.

the funny thing is that I have never seen this TDR version before. I just thought it looked cool to highlight the air ducts. I think the next version is going to have an integrated air scoop to throw air into the intercooler and radiator. The next version will probably be out of fiberglass as well. I just have to find a decent source for the mat that is larger than 8sq feet per bag...

you're not worried about cracking the fiberglass on something so low?

heh, that is the main reason the first version was acrylic. :)

Looks well cut. Nice. A full undertray in 1/8" material would improve cooling and aero. I've made 2 using 1/8" ABS, one with an OEM air dam and one with a GV spoiler.

here's my plan....just gotta find material and cut it out.

http://boostedmiata.com/random/splitter_sheet.jpg

I bought 4x4 pieces and fit it diagonally. There was less material left over than I originally planned.

Since this was a prototype, mine is actually two pieces split in the middle. I attached them with another piece of acrylic and, once painted, you can hardly see it is there. I might get around to making another one out of some lexan... mmmm lexan... but I have other projects to work on now.

Another option might be some UHMW polyethylene which is the stuff that kitchen cutting boards are made from. I know that some rally drivers here in the US use it for their skid plates instead of aluminum.

If you are positive that will fit you can send me a 1:1 .dxf file. One of my vendors is getting a new water jet mid February and mentioned that he is willing to make a few parts for me to test it out. I would probably make it out of 3/16-1/4" polyurethane, uhmw, or nylon.

it'll fit, it's a trace a the TDR splitter, however, I removed the "wings". I need to measure the car again to make sure it reaches the end of the radiator, but as is it should be good.