Track front splitter ideas

[sri_130]

Hello.
On a recent track day I came across this:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b207/wh00sher/golf2/P1120246.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b207/wh00sher/4c76facd.jpg

At first, we were all thinking WTF, that looks weird.

It was untouchable in the bends - I mean untouchable. Not by me in my pumpy track saxo, by people with high powered performance track cars.

We had a quick chat with the lads and they seemed a nice bunch, more than happy to discuss what they'd done to the car etc.

Now... after reading the project thread for the car................

latter stages of it are here: http://www.timeattackforums.com/forums/aero-dynamics/4604-flat-floor-ideal-height-introduction-my-mk2-golf-aero.html) and the early stages were elsewhere - can't find that atm

.................I noticed that he had a massive wow factor when the splitter was installed on the front. It transformed the car there and then.
The other venturi/flat floor additions (and crazy diffuser) have advanced it somewhat into a bit of a beast.

I was discussing with my old man, how we'd accomplish something similar on the track saxo (the splitter, not the diffuser and undertray).

At the mo:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pMJTdHYe0TE/T_C2lWCi11I/AAAAAAAABTc/NqpgC-mI5SE/s640/IMG_1528.JPG

You can see the car sits pretty low at the front already. As its a road legal track car, I couldn't just stick a load of plywood 2mm off the ground underneath - I'd need something that could be removed for road use and installed when we arrive at the track.

My old man's Idea is to use Tie bars, a wooden shelf and the bottom part of another vts front bumper - which could be removed when we hit the track.

Any fancy ideas? We're not afraid to fabricate something.

[titchster]

The thing to take care with (and this is going by what a lot of the guys who've done big aero on their MX5s) is that you don't upset the balance, big aero on the front will need something out back to balance it out, otherwise in the faster stuff, you'll find the back end wanting to come out to play, but, essentially yeah, just a piece of plywood, some tie bars that can be easily attatched/removed from the front bumper, and attached to somewhere nice and solid underneath the car.


And, FWIW, it's often said that it needs to be strong enough to support your weight to be fully effective...

[sri_130]

The thing to take care with (and this is going by what a lot of the guys who've done big aero on their MX5s) is that you don't upset the balance, big aero on the front will need something out back to balance it out, otherwise in the faster stuff, you'll find the back end wanting to come out to play, but, essentially yeah, just a piece of plywood, some tie bars that can be easily attatched/removed from the front bumper, and attached to somewhere nice and solid underneath the car.


And, FWIW, it's often said that it needs to be strong enough to support your weight to be fully effective...

Thanks chief. Yes I had considered balancing with rear aero, not sure where I'd go with that, but its all a good starting point.

[sri_130]

My old mans idea is something like this (but detachable - some how)

http://www.carstylingtips.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/bhp-performance-10-116.jpg

Looks a bit high spec for my attempts with plywood! Lolz.

[MuZiZZle]

I'd start by buying some fog blanks from citroen dude!

then maybe cut a section out of the rear bumper, or

I'm guessing you have no spare wheel / cage, so possibly cover the tank to the rear bumper with a cutout for the exhaust?

[sri_130]

I'd start by buying some fog blanks from citroen dude!

then maybe cut a section out of the rear bumper, or

I'm guessing you have no spare wheel / cage, so possibly cover the tank to the rear bumper with a cutout for the exhaust?

Good idea. I shall research!

[MuZiZZle]

check my thread, I have the OEM fog blanks

I can imagine the area under the boot floor catching a lot of air on a saxo, I know people cut a section out of the rear bumper, basically along lhe line that's moulded into it, this is sometimes done to fit a pugsport on as it'll not sit correctly in the bumper gap on a standard bumper

the thing is I suspect the bottom of an uncut bumper is lower than the underside of the car? so ideally you'd want to chop the bumper so the rear edge of your aero is higher? this would allow fins?

[MuZiZZle]

check my thread, I have the OEM fog blanks

I can imagine the area under the boot floor catching a lot of air on a saxo, I know people cut a section out of the rear bumper, basically along lhe line that's moulded into it, this is sometimes done to fit a pugsport on as it'll not sit correctly in the bumper gap on a standard bumper

the thing is I suspect the bottom of an uncut bumper is lower than the underside of the car? so ideally you'd want to chop the bumper so the rear edge of your aero is higher? this would allow fins?

[Dave_P]

A centre exit exhaust will help making a diffuser fit more easily once you've chopped the bumper...

[monka]

also how low is the front? as too low will upset the handling anyway

[sri_130]

A centre exit exhaust will help making a diffuser fit more easily once you've chopped the bumper...

Good call. Noted.

[sri_130]

also how low is the front? as too low will upset the handling anyway

Not that bad mate, that picture before doesn't help - as there is a gap in the cement floor and the wheels are sat behind it!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rCjZo-BFIFo/T8-VqkaiapI/AAAAAAAABO4/v8FTg4CEhaM/s640/IMG_1448.JPG

After a track outing

and maybe this one is more realistic, when it was partly modified on the first track day.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LzUs8bNi4TI/T6VxHjc8NDI/AAAAAAAAA4I/goqdoFQFKOY/s640/SG1S2301.JPG

Seems to work (strut braces and Gmax springs only at the front) - car feels great, just want to experiment and improve (with a low budget of course).

[titchster]

Aero's something that seems to be massively overlooked in the UK track day scene (aside from the really serious stuff). It's only since looking on the US Miata forums that i've really wanted to do some to mine, and found any ideas.



In terms of balancing out a front splitter, a rear diffuser would be a good call, and if that still leaves it too tail happy, then start looking at (God forbid, on a FWD hatch) rear wings.

[Brasse]

I'm in the same boat. I'm looking for a splitter that might actually work, and at the same time fits the 106. So far, the only one i've found is this:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/297102_10152875025865164_1931828250_n.jpg

Which, after trawling Minaka Carview (yes, i'm an ex-miata owner), I think is this:

http://101.dtiblog.com/y/yoshitomo/file/106ver2.jpg

Which was made by an employee at a shop called Carrol (Italian / French shop in Japan). I've tried to get in contact with him, but no answer.

I've then been looking at this…

http://trackdogracing.com/images/catalog/splitters/na_splitter_rad_d.jpg

which is cheap at $189 with adjustable turnbuckles. The only problem is that it a) is 3.5+ inches too wide for the 106 and that it doesnt really go under the front like the Carrol one (ends right behind the radiator by my judgement).

[Brasse]

(I can't find the edit-button)

Here is the Carol-splitter re-uploaded.

http://bildr.no/image/1626995.jpeg

[Brasse]

An acquaintance made this for his Miata, which supports a man and then some.

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/48262-hf-mx5ts-3076-turboed-trackday-street-toy-3f668898-orig-jpg?dateline=1341441859

[KamRacing]

That 106 front splitter will do sod all. You need it low, thick and strong and on a car with stiff suspension so it stays as flat as possible through the bends..

[greyjasper51]

check my thread, I have the OEM fog blanks

I can imagine the area under the boot floor catching a lot of air on a saxo, I know people cut a section out of the rear bumper, basically along lhe line that's moulded into it, this is sometimes done to fit a pugsport on as it'll not sit correctly in the bumper gap on a standard bumper

the thing is I suspect the bottom of an uncut bumper is lower than the underside of the car? so ideally you'd want to chop the bumper so the rear edge of your aero is higher? this would allow fins?

chopping the rear out the bumper seems to be a common thing and a good idea :)

I'd start by buying some fog blanks from citroen dude!

then maybe cut a section out of the rear bumper, or

I'm guessing you have no spare wheel / cage, so possibly cover the tank to the rear bumper with a cutout for the exhaust?

fog light blacks cant make that much difference... surely it would help if they were open and allowing air to pass through them...

A centre exit exhaust will help making a diffuser fit more easily once you've chopped the bumper...

good idea, but you have to have a fuel cell todo that surely... as the normal exhaust runs around it...

That 106 front splitter will do sod all. You need it low, thick and strong and on a car with stiff suspension so it stays as flat as possible through the bends..

basically the suspension needs to be sorted out first so body roll is next to nothing before trying to sort out aero....

[greyjasper51]

Hello.
On a recent track day I came across this:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b207/wh00sher/golf2/P1120246.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b207/wh00sher/4c76facd.jpg

At first, we were all thinking WTF, that looks weird.

It was untouchable in the bends - I mean untouchable. Not by me in my pumpy track saxo, by people with high powered performance track cars.

We had a quick chat with the lads and they seemed a nice bunch, more than happy to discuss what they'd done to the car etc.

Now... after reading the project thread for the car................

latter stages of it are here: http://www.timeattackforums.com/forums/aero-dynamics/4604-flat-floor-ideal-height-introduction-my-mk2-golf-aero.html) and the early stages were elsewhere - can't find that atm

.................I noticed that he had a massive wow factor when the splitter was installed on the front. It transformed the car there and then.
The other venturi/flat floor additions (and crazy diffuser) have advanced it somewhat into a bit of a beast.

I was discussing with my old man, how we'd accomplish something similar on the track saxo (the splitter, not the diffuser and undertray).

At the mo:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pMJTdHYe0TE/T_C2lWCi11I/AAAAAAAABTc/NqpgC-mI5SE/s640/IMG_1528.JPG

You can see the car sits pretty low at the front already. As its a road legal track car, I couldn't just stick a load of plywood 2mm off the ground underneath - I'd need something that could be removed for road use and installed when we arrive at the track.

My old man's Idea is to use Tie bars, a wooden shelf and the bottom part of another vts front bumper - which could be removed when we hit the track.

Any fancy ideas? We're not afraid to fabricate something.

sorry for copying the whole post but at a second look, it looks like their using ground effect... like the old f1 cars were banned from using... it would only really help in the fast corners....

[Brasse]

And the only route to do that is the custom-route? I have yet to find anything except the ones over, everything else is pure styling.

[greyjasper51]

And the only route to do that is the custom-route? I have yet to find anything except the ones over, everything else is pure styling.

It wouldnt be expensive to make... Alot of people will hate this (haters gonna hate) but plywood would do the trick... My mates formula 4 car wings are make of plywood (end caps anyway) but just for a flat base plywood would do the trick perfectly!!

[AlexB]

heres a topic on one of the only saxos ive seen with aero mods i think may actually benefit

http://www.106rallyeforum.com/forum2008/showthread.php?t=87966&highlight=Aero

as kam says low and solid is needed to keep things in where they should be and keep air flowing correctly

[Brasse]

Thats awesome! :D

[greyjasper51]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/06/e7ede7u4.jpg

Sorry about the bad quality but i knew id seen a rear bumper cut out somewhere...

[Brasse]

Its not unusual in the Miata-world:
http://bit.ly/110Xg3A

[AlexB]

Sexygt on here has a cut bumper on his saxo
So does azza on his hillclimb 106 flat arch

[Martijn_M]

Maybe the 106 in this video helps a little:

Peugeot special @ Swiss HIllclimb 2012. Very fast and strong modified cars! 309, 205, 106! - YouTube

[AlexB]

That blue 205 :sweetheart: limiting in 5th down that straight omg

[sri_130]

I've done quite a bit of research and thought gathering since I posted the question last year.

I currently have a spare bumper and plywood + about to take receipt of some sheet metal to make a start on this.

The main hurdle I found was that the front springs and dampers weren't good enough to make this a reality. The budget lowz Gmaxx things were too soft and compressed too much when braking - so when on the brakes, the front dipped too low - so therefore I'd have to make the air dam sit higher - which I didn't want.

Had some custom springs made up from Faulkner for near enough 300lb + upgraded the dampers to GrpN. So it now doesn't compress as much - taking a non-scientific reading (a person photographing me when ploughing in to the hardest braking point at Blyton) and comparing that against me doing the same thing with softer springs, has given a fair few inches to increase the air dam's proximity to the ground.

What Kam has mentioned about that splitter is spot on. Putting a splitter on the front of a saxo is futile, without creating a smooth undertray to accompany it. When popping the bonnet on the saxo, you'll see (behind the radiator) is a massive pocket of nothing. Thus, you'll need to use plenty of plywood to create an undertray that must stop short at the back of the engine - as air must have a path to hit the bulkhead and then be pulled under and out from the low pressure zone created underneath the car. I've measured my plywood to do this.

Whilst measuring the airdam + splitter combination up, I thought about changing the whole under tray at the front to make it a wide mouth to form the start of a venturi. Then using the same concept as Mr Pinder (whose golf I quoted in the early pictures) to block the air pressure leaving the underside, by creating curtains. This would form the narrow centre section of the venturi.

As the air then reaches the rear wheels, quite rightly as some folk have done already, cutting out the rear bumper parachute to allow a gradual incline to form a diffuser and the most rear section of the venturi. I'd need the upper rear of the diffuser to get past the boot by a fair few inches, to keep the low pressure zone as long as possible. Nigel (Mr Pinder) has also experimented with different diffuser vanes, I do believe - with positive results... but I'm way off even considering that at the moment.

The main issue I have, is getting under the car to do it. And not least, the money to get the alluminium undertray, curtains and diffuser cut to my measurements. But the excitement is in the planning + collecting parts. Do remember that if you attempted something as crazy as the golf, you need one hell of a run up, to get it on the trailer!

I've decided against using the Citroen fog blanks - as I'm currently making some brake cooling ducts out of some ally pipe and a stripped fog lamp + ducting. Will post the results when it looks credible.

[AlexB]

Too late joe i posted that above

[AlexB]

Haha :P

[sri_130]

Its a work of art that floor. Issue being, its carbon fibre, not something readily available from B&Q, I guess.

The saxo it was fitted to has covered some serious aero work. Even vaning the turbulent air in the wheel wells. Awesome engineering and understanding there.

Dont suppose anyone has a build thread for that saxo?! or an estimate of the cost of the floor!?