my diy splitter

attempt #1. Shine Type 1 lip and alumilite splitter/undertray. Didn't make it too big, because I didn't want to use rods and also wanted to see how bad I'm going to scrape on my driveway.
Thinking about trimming it back to the edge of the Shine lip. The alumilte came in a 8'x4' sheet so I have enough to make a second one. The hex bolts are just temp. going to replace them with round head.

Very nice work Captain! I love the DIY spirit. Did you buy from here like you posted before?
http://harborsales.net/tabid/130/Default.aspx?ProductTypeId=103&ProductFilter4=Alumalite#Product

EDIT: Hey Capt, can't seem to get a price for a 3mm 4x8 sheet of this stuff. How much does this normally run?

yep. Delivered to the door on an UPS 18 wheeler. I bought the 1/4" 4x8, the shipping is huge ($100) because it's over-sized and they ship it on a pallet - 220 lbs for one sheet. So if you can get a group buy in your area....

Looks good except that corregated edge. Around $100 for a 4X8 sheet (not counting shipping), can withstand winds over 120mph, won't warp or absorb water. But will it take any kind of a scrape like ABS or carbon fiber does (how easy does it dent/bend)? Just askin -

How have you mounted it to the car?

If you've fixed it to the bumper without extra re-inforcing you may find it dragging badly under brakes on the track. It should be mounted or braced solidly to the chassis to gain the full benefit of the downforce generated.

1/4 inch is 6.35mm by the way.

Was it $100 shipped, or was just the shipping $100

Also, was the pallet AND the 4' x 8' sheet 220lbs?

Your fabrication looks pretty nice, but I would also suggest extra reinforcement, especially onto the battery/spare braces.

I've never seen or worked with this stuff before, but it sounds interesting.

Thanks,

Dave

Mac Attack said:

Was it $100 shipped, or was just the shipping $100

Also, was the pallet AND the 4' x 8' sheet 220lbs?

Your fabrication looks pretty nice, but I would also suggest extra reinforcement, especially onto the battery/spare braces.

I've never seen or worked with this stuff before, but it sounds interesting.

Thanks,

Dave

Click to expand...

It was $215 shipped. The 8x4 sheet weighs 22lbs but they put it on a 200 lb pallet so it doesn't dent or bend in shipping. I guess they are use to shipping multiple sheets at a time - they are a wholesaler for sign companies.

It should take scrapes better than CF or ABS as it's aluminum on both sides. And it doesn't bend.... it is very, very rigid and since both sides are Aluminum it should be able to take heat unlike ABS which warps, softens and melts or burns. Oh.... and it comes painted. I got gloss black (both sides). In the pic above I still haven't taken the protective vinyl coating off yet.

BTW: Most of the FXMD car is fabricated with Alumilite.

Nice work. Look forward to your review on it!

I always get a kick from reading people venturing into DIY efforts; and this one has some track practicality too :tongue:

So, knowing the forthcoming questions, I might as well ask, how much does it weigh, about 8-9 lbs? :biggrin:

sadlerau said:

How have you mounted it to the car?

If you've fixed it to the bumper without extra re-inforcing you may find it dragging badly under brakes on the track. It should be mounted or braced solidly to the chassis to gain the full benefit of the downforce generated.

Click to expand...

It is secured in the front by brackets to the tie down bracket and in the rear to the battery tray via a bracket. It's not going anywhere. :tongue:

Hrant said:

I always get a kick from reading people venturing into DIY efforts; and this one has some track practicality too :tongue:

So, knowing the forthcoming questions, I might as well ask, how much does it weigh, about 8-9 lbs? :biggrin:

Click to expand...

Well, the 8x4 weighs 22lbs and this is approximately 6x2 (before being trimmed/shaped). So..... yes.

Nice.

I have Driving Ambition's Carbon Fiber under-tray/splitter.
I made an Aluminum splitter that mounts under the DA under-tray.
This helps protect the Carbon and extend the lip an additional 3 inches.
I bought a sheet of 1/8 in thick Al. 10'x4' large enough to make 2 splitters.
I got a good deal on the AL as I believe I paid $3/lb as it was surplus.

From the images it doesn't appear that you have a vented hood?

I think you will need one.
Without you will overheat.

Later,
Don

What a cheap, hacked-up, half-assed attempt at a splitter. It's almost as redneck as Ryneen's NASCAR style spoiler. :tongue:

JK, awesome job. Looks great and should be quite a positive improvement over just the lip. Please report at your next track day if you can subjectively feel an objective difference.

CL65 Captain said:

BTW: Most of the FXMD car is fabricated with Alumilite.

Click to expand...

To be fair, its mostly sheet metal. The only alumilite is the splitter (and its a great material for it). I'd put a seam sealer or metal, plastic, or rubber edge on the corregated leading edge.

http://hellafunctional.com/?p=369
FXMD NSX up close and personal
"What really impresses me are the details. In addition to the skilled use of duct-tape and zip ties, the aero work is incredible. The exhaust routing and turbo location couldn’t be better. Even more surprising though is the stuff that hasn’t been changed. Suspension geometry is mostly stock. On a car like this you’d expect custom a-arms and billet uprights. I think they still have the stock bushings in the front suspension arms. Carbon fiber? More like sheet metal and alumalite. I think there’s even some wood on the car."

Where is the wood? The driver? :tongue:

stuntman said:

I'd put a seam sealer or metal, plastic, or rubber edge on the corregated leading edge.

Click to expand...

The plan is to use epoxy putty to shape a nice rounded edge and then cover the whole thing with that NIDOC CF vinyl.

Jim why don't you just supercharge the thing instead of fiddling with things that make a 5% difference. LOL...

Nice work....

TURBO2GO said:

Jim why don't you just supercharge the thing instead of fiddling with things that make a 5% difference. LOL...

Nice work....

Click to expand...

I have plans to 2x turbo.

That's going to make you really fast.

What's your safety equipment?

An open-face helmet and a Jesus sticker? :biggrin:

That's pretty awesome. Is there a concern about the radiator air flow being blocked, as someone mentioned? If so, how do you plan to mitigate that? I love these kinds of DIY projects.

TURBO2GO said:

That's going to make you really fast.

What's your safety equipment?

.....and a Jesus sticker? :biggrin:

Click to expand...

No.... I'm Jewish. :biggrin:

well then a yentl sticker:tongue:

LOL... Doc no wonder he has no visor... he thinks his helmet is a Yarmulke...

hopefuly we will see both of you on track at xpo this year

Shouldn't there be a front rake to the splitter? Otherwise there would be lift??? Particularly in the NSX, under hard acceleration wouldnt squat in the rear cause the front to lift up, further defeating the aero effect of the splitter.?!?!!?!?

DONE!

Found some rubber edging at Pep Boys.... truck door edging.

Took it out for a high speed test drive and it's good to at least 150 mph and I won't see any faster than 130ish on the track. Rock solid.

Track testing this weekend. :biggrin:



Almost forgot.... the Infiniti G37 rubber flaps mounted in front of the tires.