DIY front splitter.
#42
2 Props,3 Dildos,& 1 Cat
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/smod.png)
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Fake Virginia
Posts: 19,338
Total Cats: 573
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
He is 145lbs.
Looks like they had to redo the place where the rods mounted to the body.
Before
![](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3366/3661698127_3d86f71d2a.jpg?v=0)
After
![](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3646/3661698383_b4395b805c.jpg?v=0)
Another reason that allot of people use wood especialy on the track is that if you have an off or damage the front splitter Alum will bend and f up your air-dynamics in the front. Wood will just break off.
Looks like they had to redo the place where the rods mounted to the body.
Before
![](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3366/3661698127_3d86f71d2a.jpg?v=0)
After
![](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3646/3661698383_b4395b805c.jpg?v=0)
Another reason that allot of people use wood especialy on the track is that if you have an off or damage the front splitter Alum will bend and f up your air-dynamics in the front. Wood will just break off.
#43
Elite Member
iTrader: (15)
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 4,847
Total Cats: 27
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I made the end plates for my wing from birch plywood laminated with 1/16" ABS on both sides (I laminated it myself) That way I get the best of both worlds: the lightness of the birch, and the durability of the ABS. 1/16" ABS sheet is a lot cheaper than 1/4" ABS. IIRC I bought a 1/16" x 4' x 8' sheet of black ABS locally for about $35, maybe less.
I will be making my next splitter with the same material.
I will be making my next splitter with the same material.
#50
Elite Member
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Anacortes, WA
Posts: 2,478
Total Cats: 144
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Interesting I found this write up that shows how to do the DIY plywood/fiberglass splitter almost exactly the way I was devising to do it myself. At least the layup part. they are using 3/8" plywood.
http://specialprojectsms.com/image/TECHNICAL-2.gif
FWIW we also have sheets of ¼” ABS at my work. comparing a small chunk of it to a small chunk of my plywood. The ABS is significantly heavier and not even close in stiffness.
Bob
http://specialprojectsms.com/image/TECHNICAL-2.gif
FWIW we also have sheets of ¼” ABS at my work. comparing a small chunk of it to a small chunk of my plywood. The ABS is significantly heavier and not even close in stiffness.
Bob
#54
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
It wasn't wood Andrew, it was "tie-dye carbon fiber", lol.
I know I'm late to the party here, but walking around the paddock at Daytona and LS you see a lot of wood splitters, and a lot of wooden scrape plates too under the front ends of some cars. The wear characteristics are something to consider with the material you choose, Sav was scraping the splitter every time around on the corkscrew, dunno what would've happened had it been something other than wood.
I know I'm late to the party here, but walking around the paddock at Daytona and LS you see a lot of wood splitters, and a lot of wooden scrape plates too under the front ends of some cars. The wear characteristics are something to consider with the material you choose, Sav was scraping the splitter every time around on the corkscrew, dunno what would've happened had it been something other than wood.
#55
Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Central, TX / Bay area, CA
Posts: 1,260
Total Cats: 5
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Now I know cost is some of the reason for using ply wood but why not laminate it with carbon fiber instead of fiberglass, I now it costs more but wouldn't it be stronger? and its the same proses, its not like it would cost that much to do on your own.
#58
Former Vendor
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
iTrader: (31)
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 15,442
Total Cats: 2,103
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The raw carbon weave material would cost 3-4x what it cost me to build my entire splitter. Then you have to buy resin, peel-ply, own a vacuum pump, chromate tape, etc. Buy the plywood in 1/2", it's stiff enough to stand up to a lot of abuse, and you don't have to cover it in anything but black spray paint to protect your dignity.
#59
Cpt. Slow
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
iTrader: (25)
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oregon City, OR
Posts: 14,360
Total Cats: 1,184
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Is this worth it without a rear wing Sav? I thought I remember you doing the wing before the splitter. I was considering going to Home Depot Motorsports for splitter plywood, and air dam siding. But if it'll make me too much over steer prone, I'll wait till I have money to blow on a wing, which will probably be never. Hopefully I'll get around to the air dam no matter what.