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?
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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?
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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.
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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.
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Originally Posted by kyle242gt
(Post 188813)
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. |
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.
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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...
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you're not worried about cracking the fiberglass on something so low?
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heh, that is the main reason the first version was acrylic. :)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Originally Posted by posidon42
(Post 188895)
I might get around to making another one out of some lexan... mmmm lexan...
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Originally Posted by Braineack
(Post 188878)
here's my plan....just gotta find material and cut it out.
http://boostedmiata.com/random/splitter_sheet.jpg |
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.
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I'd like a copy of that file also Braineack. Please! dxf, dwg, doesn't matter.
While were looking into dimensions, anybody have a drawing of a radiator cover? |
i want some free fucking time to even just touch my car!!!
i've been way too busy lately, but a homemade splitter/undertray is next on the list after MS and COP's... good job to those who already done theirs |
I assume no response is a no?
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let me get on it. gotta covert to dwg.
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Originally Posted by Braineack
(Post 189022)
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.
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http://www.boostedmiata.com/random/splitter.dwg
it's 55" from end to end. designed for the "R" package front spoiler, direct trace of the TDR splitter, however I got rid of the "wings". Then I just filled in the rest and gave room for the wheels. |
Thanks Braineack! You da' Man!
Being that this is a trace of the TDR splitter, it should extend 1.75". I think I am going to offset the outer curve by .75 and make it extend 2.5. A modified set of my end links should work great for the center adjustment/support. I will print it out on my plotter one to one and make a cardboard stencil just to make sure. |
Braineack,
What did you create that file in? Autocad doesn't like it. I can open it, but it doesn't have any properties. How about an iges, sat, or step file? |
me = never used CAD. it was a vector file .eps that i converted. best i can do :(
if you point me into the right direction for a program to draw it in i can get you something better no problem..... |
Google sketch up maybe? Nothing free really comes to mind.
Can you add dimensions and send that file? A jpg or pdf would be fine. I'd be happy to redraw it in CAD, both 3d and 2d. |
well damnit i had that!
its to scale so it's easy enough....will post tonight if i remember :) |
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PM me an email address so I can send you the file.
I don't think you understood what I was asking for, but I winged it and made it work anyway. I was asking for a pdf with visible dimensions. I ended up just tracing the image and coverting it to a parametric model. It will still be a pain in the ass to work with, but the shape is simple so it shouldn't be that bad. |
55" wide 20" tall. there you go. :) best dimensions i can give you. wasn't drawn in a cad program....
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