I have the M7 splitter and I don't care how you mount it, if you go off the road into the dirt don't expect your splitter to be there. Since it ties to the front bumper if the splitter takes a hit then expect the front bumper to take a hit. The only way to possibly get around this would be to find attaching points other than the front bumper.

 

I'm interested in getting a copy of the template as well - I have a R52 (cabrio Cooper S) with the standard front bumper.

Please let us know how you end up mounting this - 2-sided tape does NOT sound like it would be storng enough for such an application, no. Ideally, I'd like to attach my splitter with OPTIONAL stand-offs - basically, I'd like to be able to attach it without them first, then add them optionally if I want a more agressive look. Do you think this peice could be made to work without stanchions, or wound they be mandatory?

I'm really looking forward to your painted and mounted photos.

PS - even with using Krylon, you might want to invest in a can of adhesion promotor, simply because the part's going to take a beating.

 

Hi fore those how want and copy of the template i just need your email ..
I like to share it whit anyone but just make sure that you secure it well to the bumper you will loose it and break the front of your car ..bouble fase tape won't hold ..


MC 2

 

Please don't think I was just going to use just tape, I was going to bolt as well, but my thoughts were this. I was going to slot the splitter around the 5 screws that are already in the bottom of the facia, not using them at all, as the just screw into plastic towers.

Then I was going to drill three or four bolt holes, (1/4" or less) equally spaced along the splitter, near the rear curved section and using fender washers on the inside lower bumber cover, mount the splitter to the ABS plastic. Then I would use a few pieces of the tape between the bolts, especially if I only use three, then use the front support rods as well with the fender washers here also.

Any thoughts?

Gene

 

i also made a template of it as well, got mine while i was at the dealer and they had one sitting their so i took some cardboard and traced it went to laired plastics bought a 4 by 8 sheet of black plastic that had the same texture as our black abs wheel arches and took the black edging material and it looks just like m7's only not carbon fiber, i made all the attachment points breakaway connectors, so theyll hold but if its yanked hard enufe thell pop off and leave my aero bumper unscaved, best part is they only cost 4 dollors a peice so i can loose em and pop another on ...

 

Tell me more about this place where you bought the plastic... I'd rather make it black to begin with than paint it, but how did you sand the edges for a smooth look after cutting?

PS - I'm also looking for some black plastic "L" beam material with 1" "arms" for a different project- do they have a web site or ordering desk?

Thanks!

 

well i know they have different areas theirs a feww in CT and MI

im not sure of the spelling but i think their name is laired plastics inc. its a big warehouse ware they have tons of different kinds of plastic parts sheets and anything else you could think of - all i used to frame it off was some of the black door molding stuff like m7 uses on his, im shure their are ways to just cleane the plastic edge but this rout was the quickest and looked good enuf, im working on one now that uses a small aluminum blade in the front !! not a real blade but have a polished edge and have black top and bottom

 

Oh, OK, so you finished the edge with stripping - I get it. Pics?? If you can show the edge and the way you mounted it, I'd be in your debt - thanks!!

 

well i would but i dont have any pics of her right now showing it, and im out of the state as it be so as soon as i return il snap a few! for ya

 

The company is called Laird Plastics.

http://www.lairdplastics.com/

McMaster also carries smaller sized sheets. You will pay 2X as much though.

 

yea thats the one and i got my turnbuckels from a sailboat shop, their fully stainless and look gourgeouse when polished up, better than m7 ones, thou their around 45 bucks unless you can get a good deal on them.

 

Which plastic? There are many types on their site.

 

well the plastic was just an ABS black plastic, since i drove to their shop i got to look at hundreds of samples to be able to pick the right one, i dont really remember the name as such or grain specifications but i know its an ABS plastic, if i wasnt out of the state id show mine with some pics, ill have to whait till i get back but when on the car it almost looks like its an OEM part since it matches the black plastic of the rest of the car

 

There are always better ideas as the thread continues. I might make mine out of that black plastic as well. I haven't mounted or drilled mine yet, so I could use as a template. Do you know the name of the black plastic, I looked on their site and saw about 10 different kinds.

Any help is always appreciated.

Gene

 

well it might be a couple of days till i get back to michigan, i had origannally made 10 of these off of the origanal pattern and gave em away- with close up's youed be able to see the thickness and grain but its anybodys geuss as to acual part numbers, my geuss is to see if you all have a plastic warehouse near your area and go their and look at their stock, we had ain's plastics and laired plastics near me so im sure theirs gotta be a few within driving distance of ware you guys are and go their and see what they have they may even have extra from cuts from big purchases so you may be able to get scrap for 5 or 6 bucks. i had scored the plastic on my origanal to snap away if it cought on the rd so it wouldnt cause damage to my facia and acually had a great test later in the week when the road jumped up and grabed it, it had broke off perfect and didnt cause any damage to the car or facia- again ill post pics when i get back

 

There is a location just a few miles from me.
1/4":
166187 ABS .250 X 48 X 96 BLACK SH

 

im sure they have it or something like it, and may not list it on the site, go their and ask to see their samples they should have them all on a wire, the one they gave me had every concivable color and grain and stiffness,
the first two i made were out of scrap, i made one out of 1/16 and one out of 1/4 and the 1/16 looked better and was lighter as well as straight as an arrow and didnt have any sag or bowwing, make sure to get a good stiffness.

 

ABS is a good high-impact resistant plastic. Some plastics are more or less rigid than others. Some don't hold up well to UV light or the elements. ABS is a good all-around solution. Yes, there are different grades of ABS. You can call Laird and ask them the differences if you feel it's necessary.

You can also try UHMW. I don't have experience using this for a splitter, but I'm curious to try it. The impact rating and hardness is slightly below ABS. I'm just be concerned about how rigid it is at a size of about 12" x 55".

Try Mcmaster.com to educate yourself a little on the various plastic qualities and pricepoints. If you don't want to or are just too lazy, use ABS.

 

And ebay is a good place i saw some for 11.00 (( boat store))((sail boat))

MC 2

 

We need more pics..

 

Hi yes you line up the page and stik d'em togeter you will no have you template.. follow the number.. i have use 1/4 marine plywood and have put 2 coat of epoxie sand'it and went to the local paint shop to paint'it black.To secure the spliter i used 5 longer screw not to long not to damage the AC rad and 1 bolt 1/4 in bolt whit look nut to secure the the spare hole on the spliter and 2 turnbocle plus blue looktite on every screw..ps you have to remove the bumper for the intalation((turnbocle)) note that the turnbocle are only held in the platic of the bumber and 2 1 inch washer are intal on each side off the bumper..and yes i have put 1 foot long off double face 3m tape in between bumper and the spliter..I have brought the car to hight speed and the spliter is stil there..

MC 2

 

I want a very small lip n my cooper, If i only have a 2" splitter will I need the supports

 

not really i also had made a small lip but it was 3 inches and drove a whole 2 months before i made a bigger one and then used the straps but id say you could run without having the connectors, had the car past 80 on the freeway and it was still good, couldent tell you if it take over 100+ thoug

 

YES

 

Hm, UHMW is really kind of dense (heavy) and doesn't seem like it has a lot of rigidity. Works great for sliders on shop jigs and fixtures, but I wouldn't use it for aero. You want this thing rigid enough to stand on it.