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Got my racing aero installed !

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2.4K views 13 replies 7 participants last post by  thebean123  
#1 ·
Well, after a semi-failed splitter experiment (in How-To section) I finally got a lip installed. My home fabbed splitter went right on, only to come right off !! The front clearance is so low that any place other than a glassy smooth track, it's a scraper. I now have a great pattern to work from, but the splitter will have to be made out of something with a little flex to it. Carbon fiber, lexan or anything else brittle will wind up demolished. I'm open to material suggestions. Here's a few pics of my new and improved downforce.





 
#2 ·
Very sharp looking. Have you got to "test" it yet? Have you thought about maybe kevlar? I dont know the cost of it or anything. Im in the army and I use it regulary on the helicopters i work on. Its very strong, and if layed properly has a nice little flex in it. You would just need to coat the bottom of it so it wasnt to get scratched and gauged all the time. Good luck with the season though, I look forward to hearing more about it.

Joshua
 
#4 ·
Honestly kevlar can be very light. It just depends on what type of weave you get. Most of the stuff I use is kind of heavy cause its for armor plating on the pilot and co-pilots doors. But I do know they make smaller weaves which is lighter. The best bet for that is a 2-3 layer large weave for the center, and then a 3-4 layer for the outside and that should be pretty good to go. I wish I was in the shop now, I would like to try and make this now. Maybe thats a project for me while Im deployed.
 
#5 ·
I did some quick looking for kevlar material, and found it for building applications (since I would need a sheet to work with). The thinnest I found was 1/4" and was VERY expensive. I would need a 1/8" or 3/16", 24"X64" sheet. Any ideas on sourcing it ?
 
#7 ·
When you searched it was it "pre-soaked"? Or was it just the fiber material? What we have is like a cloth that you have to put a resin on. I know they make it in both formats. I will try and see what i can find out for you. Like I said I have the advantage of working in my shop with it regularly, except the shop is closed up and we are just waiting to leave for the deployment.

As far the aluminum goes, the kevlar is actually stronger for the size and weight. Aluminum that thick is rather heavy, even aircraft grade. And then the aluminum will rust and corrode. You would constantly be treating it and trying to keep it clean. Plus its easy to fix the kevlar one if something should happen to it rather than always replacing a metal one. But this is just my .02 cents, and just my little bit of knowledge on the materials. I will try and see what I can find for you though wagonracer, hopefully something helpful.
 
#8 ·
Thanks guys, aluminum would work as long as I don't use the support rods. With them, if the splitter took a hit the bumper would get trashed by those rods. I think something with some flex, or just keep cutting them out of the really cheap wall board I used would be the way. When I caught the bolt on the bottom (for the rod) going over a dip, the board just gave out, leaving a big hole where the rod was bolted in. It didn't damage the bumper at all. I think almost any material will require the rods for support, unless it is extremely light weight. Kevlar sure sounds cool though !! I was also thinking that I could use a stiff rubber for the front edge (2 or 3") that would just return to its flatness after a hit. I woould have to use something lighter for the belly pan part of it, and find a strong way top attach it.
 
#9 ·
The stiff rubber might be a decent idea there wagonracer, but depending some of that stuff is HEAVY also. We were doing a mod to a helicopter and needed some rubber so we "borrowed" a mudflap from one of the military vehicles. It was only maybe 1/8" thick but much too heavy for what we were trying to use. But again if you do look you might find something better. This might be weird to ask, or maybe a pain, but do you think you could email or PM me a drawing with measurements on it of what you have now, or even what you would like the splitter to be. I can take a look at it and have another guy i work with take a look at it. We might be able to come up with something. Its a past time for both of us to do this also. We have started making plans and drawings to put a spoiler, and some other body mods onto our Humvee once in Iraq.
 
#10 ·
That's awesome thanks. I took it back off the car before I totally destroyed it, so a pattern could be traced easily. I'm not good with drawing up plans but could mail you a tracing, with the correct hole placement and everything. PM me if you want one. My current pattern will only work with the liberal front lip that's on the car, but I've got one for the stock '02 bumper too. Problem with that one is that it creates lift because of the angle of the bumpers bottom edge (don't need lift !) I haven't done any looking into material options yet, I may end up trimming the front off the one I've got, so it'll just function as a belly tray. I think the liberal front lip will probably provide enough downforce by itself, but the leading edge looks cool, so I'll look into the rubber possibility for that. It shouldn't weigh too much if it's just the front few inches. Thanks again for the help, and I want to see the modded humvee too !!
 
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