front splitters available? may have a solution but need pics!

[kevinatfms]

i know we have talked about splitters in the past but i may have found a supplier of sheet metal that can shape/form any size i like.

which comes to my question, anyone have a good template to follow or willing to help me make a template? i will be fabbing/making one for a CDC classic chin on a stock GT front bumper to extend back to the steering rack.

if anyone has any high res pics of the FR500 piece or a custom piece please post them up so i can get a good idea of attachment points.

 

[SoundGuyDave]

I don't know if this will help or not, but...G-Stream's rear mounts clamp through the tiedown eye on the frame just forward of the struts, and connect to a double-shear yoke on the splitter tray. Big advantage here is that if you use a cable-based forward mount, it will allow the splitter blade to deflect upwards if you catch a berm, go off track, or have an unfavorable ramp angle loading the trailer.

 

[LS1EATINPONY]

That sounds slick but I have no idea what you just said.... Lol

 

[hunterwiley]

I'll be removing my new splitter in the next week or so to fix a leaking oil pan. I made mine from 2 layers of 3ply luan that are glued together with fiberglass resin, then coated on both sides with more resin. It's pretty strong and relatively lightweight - lighter than 1/2" ply anyway. Mine was made to fit the gt nose with the CDC chin, it's an AI legal 5" outside the nose, and goes back to the steering rack. I could pretty easily trace an outline if you wish and mail it to you. Sortof depends on how big of a hurry you are, as it may be after thanksgiving before I find time to work on it....

From the driver wheel well... I mounted brake duct blowers to the splitter.

Nose shot

 

[kevinatfms]

hunter if you could please pm me for my phone number and email address. i will paypal you some funds for your time to trace the splitter and for postage of a CAD(cardboard aided design) of the splitter. also i am in no hurry, please take your time. i appreciate you offering to help. thank you.

i really appreciate everything that everyone have contributed so far. if anyone has anything else please contribute even more to help.

also if anyone is interested in a small gauge aluminum/steel splitter to be made please add yourself into this thread or pm me for more information. i can see doing small batches of 15-20 splitters for sale once i get the full dimensions which i can then make out a price. i will not make any money off this, it will be for members of s197forum only.

 

[kevinatfms]

anyone have a thickness that they would suggest with sheet aluminum or steel? im thinking 1/4" but it may be too flimsy if it isnt attached to the bumper and chin correctly....

 

[kevinatfms]

one last thing, i will be trying to make this as light as possible. hoping for sheet aluminum but may have to settle for thinner steel. either way, as light as possible will be my goal. shooting for under 20 lbs added weight.

we will see!

 

[SoundGuyDave]

Seriously, plywood.... screw metal! Do a search for "baltic birch" plywood, and look for the marine grade stuff, it'll save you all kinds of headache. If you get the right stuff (NOT the furniture-grade laminated pine board), 1/4" will be MORE than stiff enough, with just a couple of front support rods. You can use a more flexible material, like a couple of sheets of laminated lauan, but you'll need more support rods to make it work properly. If done properly, you should not only be able to stand on the splitter blade, but you should be able to bounce up and down on it. If you think you'll rip it off, what do you think the airflow at 130MPH will do?

A splitter needs to be considered a sacrificial piece, because it WILL get destroyed if you have an off. I saw a radical destroy its splitter just pulling into the trailer at the end of the day! Something you may want to consider is developing a two-piece design. Do your undertray out of whatever material floats your boat, and then do a bolt-together splitter blade (NASCAR style) that's simple enough to replicate, and make a couple of them. Carry the spare to the track with you, that way an off doesn't end your weekend. If you go through the FRPP WC catalog, you'll find "replacement splitter blade" with it's own part number. That, right there, should tell you that it's a sacrificial piece, and theirs is ABS plastic...

 

[kevinatfms]

dave - i have a local shop that produces some amazing things out of sheet aluminum and steel. thats really the big reason as to keeping it metal. i think with the right gauge aluminum it will be able to withstand a very good amount of weight on it.

if a 2 piece design would make it cheaper, then i will probably look into it. once i get the template i can start making design changes and such for cost/availability of materials/durability. durability being the most prevalent choice next to cost.

as for testing, ive got a good amount of weight to me(220-230) so ill make sure it wont go anywhere.

 

[irishpwr46]

i actually have a spare parnelli jones lip i could loan you

 

[Chim-Chim]

See if your local sign shop carries alumalite. It is basically a corrugated plastic with aluminum skins on both sides. Very light, but stiff. It is usually $100 or so for a 4'x8' sheet. Very popular splitter material.

Like Hunter and Dave mentioned, plywood is also a great option. A wrap of fiberglass makes it even better.

1/4" steel would be waaaaaaaaay too heavy, but sorta cool in a Mad Max way. 1/4" aluminum would also be pretty heavy.

 

[Full_Tilt]

Im not a fan of metal splitters because they bend, are heavy, and potentially could put a hole if your expensive intercooler or radiator.
A lot of plastics are either very expensive, or heavy (like ABS).

Ive seen a lot of people have success with wood splitters. Its the lightest option, it can bottom out without breaking or bending, its less likely to cause damage when it comes off, and its cheap enough that its no big deal to replace when it inevitably does break.

 

[Department Of Boost]

Sintra:
http://www.foamboardsource.com/sintra-pvc-foam.html?gclid=CMTrvtj92bMCFUZgMgod1FwAWg

 

[kevinatfms]

what would be the optimal weight for a full splitter from 4-5" outside the front bumper back to the steering rack?

 

[Sky Render]

Sintra:
http://www.foamboardsource.com/sintra-pvc-foam.html?gclid=CMTrvtj92bMCFUZgMgod1FwAWg

This.

 

[leviathon]

sintra can get expensive it seems, Kevin- sounds like you have a good idea going on there. what does the fr500c use?

 

[kevinatfms]

fr500c uses a factory GT bumper cover modified by removing the lower grille and opening the side sections while the fr500s uses the APR splitter on a CDC aggressive front lip.

 

[leviathon]

ah yeah, i keep gettin those two confused. is the fr500s in your profile pic yours?

 

[Department Of Boost]

what would be the optimal weight for a full splitter from 4-5" outside the front bumper back to the steering rack?

As little as possible.

 

[Sky Render]

ah yeah, i keep gettin those two confused. is the fr500s in your profile pic yours?

No, we're going to make it look like that when we're done with it.