build a nice under tray tonight out of Dibond
 

I've never used this stuff before but it is pretty awesome, easy to work with super strong. it is 2 thin sheet of aluminum with abs plastic in between. got a 2x8 sheet for 20 bucks. ill post some pics

I don't believe you. Pics would prove otherwise...

Where did you get it?

Oh, and pics.

Is there any significant difference between Dibond and Alumalight? Seem fairly similar.

---- got real: it's pics or ban time.

dibond is solid and alumalite is corrugated. you choose what you like. i chose dibond

what a ---- thread. Kinda like saying I have the lap record over SM by 5 sec but nobody has seen it and i have no proof. lol

https://www.miataturbo.net/picture.p...pictureid=2377

here is a picture of the undertray. it is nothing fancy but it gets the job done. it is very durable and and make a big difference for cooling.

Here, let me post it for you - no one likes clicking links for pics


https://www.miataturbo.net/picture.p...pictureid=2377

looks great..how thick is it?

i will put a caliper on it but less then 1/8. totally rigid without and structural support

cool material for this type of project

I am going copy you on this ... where did you buy it ?

I got it from the guy I share a garage with who works in a sign shop. so call a place that does custom signs. I will measure how thick it is tonight and post.

use a jig saw with a fresh metal blade and it will slice through it like butter. a sawzalll or dremell will work in a pinch

Could you tell a difference in how the front end felt? Im looking at building something similar for my race car, but rules restrictions are a bitch.

never had the car on the track before this weekend so I cant comment on "feel"

http://www.graphicdisplayusa.com/dib...FYbe4AodrxI1Eg
interesting stuff...

I get called out by 5 people for not posting a picture right away and not one can be bothered to come back and ask a relevant question or give props? like I made some crazy dyno numbers claim with no engine build or track times to back it up....ok, pretty weak sauce guys

how come you didnt make it go further back? why did you choose to use 90 degree angles after the bumper? you could have made them radius-ed and had more surface area.


this is mine.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1335419587

T. That looks awesome! What size sheet was required to make that?

I went as far back as I could with the piece I had. I cut out the square to make sure the control arm clear on the race track.

What thickness did you use and have you checked for any flex at speed? My local shop only has Dibond in 3mm thickness. Would this be strong enough for an undertray and a 3" splitter? I'm thinking of doubling up the thickness at the splitter if I can't find 4mm or a better material locally.

That looks great; and (deceptively?) simple.

I assume that is the R-package front lip? How is your under tray attached to the front lip?

the problem with this material for a splitter is it will bend if it get run into a curbs and rumble strips.you would need to build a support from the frame and also have front struts. perhaps if you used 2 or three layers it would work ok

i will use a big piece of abs plastic 1/2 inch thick for the splitter. think I need a wing before I worry about a splitter.

i used a 4x5 sheet. there is nothing holding the tray on at the lip as its tucked under the lip. it allows for flex when needed, iv hit it hard a few times with no damage. i have support coming from the radiator area and used the mounts on the subframe for the oem tray and the rear brace.

Would you mind posting your dimensions for those of us that would like to copy it? Including bolt locations, etc. No sense in everyone reinventing the wheel.

I think what Dave is trying to say is please make more and mail them out to us.

Template available? Also, did you attach to the top or bottom of the R lip?

Where are you guys finding the stuff to make these? Im having absolutely no luck at the usual big box hardware stores. :(

I said it several times. the material is used to make signs at a professional sign shop. I doubt you will find it at a hardware store so you need to call a local sign shop.

the dybond I used was 1/8 of a inch thick. I used white but you can get whatever color you want. get a 5x2 sheet or you might need to buy half a sheet which is 2x8 and cost me 25 bucks.

it is not very hard to lay out. take off the bumper trace the contour however you want it. I decided to bolt the dybond in between the bumper and air deflector attached to the bumper. in the rear, i bolted it to the subframe with some stock screw holes. this holes can be reached without jacking the car, so i can still remove the bumper with minimal added work.

lots of different ways to lay out the design. if you are very particular, lay it out and test fit with a piece of cardboard. I changed my design slightly and ended up cutting it a little shorter then I should have. I was in a hurry to get it done, I may not have needed to cut room for the control arm and tie rods but I did, better safe then sorry and I did not want this thing falling off on the race track.

I going to add a recessed washer to make the bolt flush and a bolt lock thing to hold the bolt in the plastic for easy removal. about $1 worth of extra hardware to make sure pieces are not lost or damaged at the track. for a race car, I might buy the full sheet cut an extra for the front and perhaps the rear as well., hell skin the whole bottom. of the car.

im not gonna give you guys a template or something. i can offer advise but half the fun of making these is figuring it out. it only takes a couple of hours tops.

mine sits under the lip and is under tension from the front brackets.

i made custom spacers for the middle mounting points. and custom washers for the middle bolts cause they are more aero and i used dzus fasteners up front with L brackets that hang from the ac condenser mounts. and for the rear i used the 2 brace bolts.

im sure measurements will vary slightly so its best to just get under the car and check it out.

do it like Mr T, his mounting sounds better, long term but mine is a little simpler and does not require and special hardware so i guess do whatever feels right. I was going to do it more or less how T describes but I knew I wanted to make some sick brackets for a real front splitter and I didnt want to waste material and time making new heavy duty brackets. when I make the brackets for a splitter I will make accommodations for mounting the under tray separate from the bumper.