On the left coast, look for TAP Plastics under Plastics in your Yellow Pages, or on the internet. Check their scrap bin - you may find what you need for a couple of bucks, or they will cut it to size for you.

 

What size stand-offs are being used on the top rear of the splitter to allow air to pass over the surface? I was thinking that 1/4" nylon stand-offs should suffice.

 

Stand-offs: not a popular topic. All kinds are available at Home Depot.

Seems that <=1/4" ABS would flap in the wind. For rigidity maybe foam-core fiberlass might be the way to go, with a total thickness of about 1/4".

 

I'll interject something here really quick about expanded PVC foam boards such as the Komacel being used here (it's also sold under various other names, most notably Sintra and Celtex). Be careful when installing it as it is extremely temperature sensitive and expands and contracts a significant amount. If you screw or bolt it down too tightly it will bow. VHB may hold it in place but I wouldn't trust it. I would use a number of screws spaced along the lip, each in a slightly oversied pilot hole. Tighten the bolt or screw down fully and then back it off a half to quarter turn, enough that the lip is secure and not flopping around, but enough that it will be able to expand and contract without binding and bowing.

Also, avoid oil-based paints with it, they tend to release from the surface of the plastic eventually and flake off. Acrylic based paints work well, as does Krylon Fusion spray paint.

Finally, if you're having trouble finding it at local stores, try a sign shop. It's a very common material in sign making, and most decent shops should have some on hand they would be willing to sell.

 

Hate to be the wet blanket around here…

A splitter should never, under any circumstances, be mounted to the bumper in any way.

It should only be mounted to structural metal.

Take a look at how Sport Compact Car mounted a splitter on their project Miata to get a good idea of how to start.

http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/pr.../photo_16.html

I agree with the earlier statement about doing things well. Just don't do it well in the completely wrong direction. Otherwise you will rip off your front bumper & other goodies.

 

Your right. But on the other hand the Miata was a race car. Not allot of people who want a splitter will use it for racing. And also if they ripped off regularly we would see and hear a lot of people complaining about the product and companies like m7 probably wouldn't be offering splitters anymore. Kinda hard to sell a product that will rip your bumper off. I think as little as the splitters are and what they are being used for, they are ok to put on the bumper.

Anyone who regularly races your mini chime in? Do you use a splitter? Did you make it or are you using something like the m7? I just don’t see this bolt on product making that much of a difference in an everyday race/track car. But I’m not too familiar with that area yet.

 

Come on guys..you can buy this one for around $300 delivered and it's ready to bolt on to the frame. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=135084

FS: DUZ Splitter for R56 JCW
I am offering this front splitter for the R56 JCW aerodynamic kit, custom made by DUZ in Japan http://www.design-unit-zone.com/mini/others.html. It is very unique and very few, if any, others are to be seen in the States.
I have a new car and don't need it anymore. It is fiberglass, coated with gelcoat, primed and painted. Other than a few scrapes, it is in very good condition but could stand a better paint job. Please see my gallery for photos.

My car was lowered with Mach V springs and I had very few problems with driving it in a big city, other than a few scrapes on driveways. It is about as low as the wind diffusers on the JCW kit. The part bolts solidly on the frame of the car and is very solid. I don't have all of the bolts and rubber plugs to cover the bolt holes, but they can be readily purchased at hardware or automotive stores. I had it installed by a local shop and it took them about 2 hours.

The splitter cost me $500 new, plus $250 shipping. I am willing to sell it for $250 plus shipping from DC. DUZ box is 64x6x15, about 15lbs.



This is very different from the M7. No hardware shows and you don't have to drill a hole in the front of your nice bumper. It's not just a flat wing....it's a molded piece of fiberglass and blends into the bottom of the aero kit so it almost looks oem. Here's a photo of it on my previous car.

 

A great opportunity for the dozens of members who have R56 JCWs.

 

Yeah I know. You guys should be able to make it fit though with your joey skills!

 

Race/street, it doesn't matter. Incorrect fitting is incorrect fitting.

One of the great ironies around here is that most people call that thing from M7 a splitter. M7 does not sell a splitter, it sells a lower front bumper spoiler. They call it a splitter but it simply is not. I'm not busting on their quality, just misuse of a really misused word.

The reason "splitters" rip bumpers off is because they are spoilers that are hard mounted to the bumper. If you mount it to the bumper you are (1. severely diminishing the aerodynamic effect of said spoiler & (2. running the huge risk of ripping off your bumper just driving on the freeway.

All I'm saying is. If you go to the trouble to fabricate a completely custom aerodynamic piece, take a little time & fabricate a proper mount for it. If it's properly mounted it won't rip off the front bumper & it will actually work aerodynamically.

 

Maybe mount it to the real bumper under the cover somehow? Kinda like how the light bars attach to the bumper but just make the braces go down low to attach the splitter?

 

The whole light bar recomendation sounds like a good idea. I like the splitters but I dont want standoffs or anything to big, I was thinking of a 1" spoiler/splitter. Nothing to big. One question i have is how do the Straßentechfront lip not rip off the front bumper.

 

When I saw how the light bars attach I had the idea. Seems to me you could make a light bar/splitter mount combo if you were good at fabing. I'm not disagreeing with Russell. But how many people have used the m7 or Straßentech or any other bumper spoiler/splitter and have then have a problem?

 

The only people I know that have had them detach either went off-road or Stukka'd them against the street at the bottom of a driveway... I don't think a "properly" fitted true splitter would have survived that, either. But yeah, I agree - it's more a "spoiler" than a true splitter. - I doubt that there's enough downforce generated to make any real difference, particularly since any such force would be transmitted to the car via a plastic peice... I just want one for the look (shocking, I know, but hey, I don't race my car - I drive it on streets with Mini Vans and other clueless people).

 

Same.. I don't plan on tracking my car. Well maybe once or twice just to have the experience. But that might change someday when I don't have monthly payments on it. I just like the look if the "splitter". Just one more thing to take away from the "Thats a cute car" comments.

 

Either way, track or street, keep in mind that even a 1" lip sticking out the front is capable of creating a LOT of down force. Even at street speeds. I've seen guys driving down the highway with their front bumpers being bent down by the "splitter" mounted only to the front bumper's plastic.

The light bar combo mount suggested by Bang110 is a great idea.

I've been looking around for a great article by Mike Kojima but I can't find it. He fabricated a true front splitter from ABS or some such other plastic for his "Dog Car" 200SX SE-R racecar. It ended up working TO well. If anyone else comes across it feel free to set me up with the link.

 

Started mine today using MC2's template! Gunna let it sit over the weekend then I'll cut it out Monday

 

Anyone know where to get standoffs for the splitter? Either like the m7 ones or another style?

 

Cartar452 you can find those type of stand offs/adjusters/turn buckles at a good marine store that sells stuff for sailboats. You will find they use them for keeping tension on mast stays.

John

 

bump for the spliter info. thanks to all..

MC 2

 

I remember a site a while back with turnbuckles for tuner type deals, had red and black, CF etc. Anyone know where to go?

Jack

 

Hi here is one of my 1 thred


http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/...productID=4652

MC 2

 

Did anyone ever think of a good mounting point that ISN'T the bumper? I want to avoid stand-offs/turnbuckles at all costs because I want this more as a lip and not a true race-inspired splitter.

Any suggestions for mounting points?

 

You could try removing the entire front end, then fabbing up brackets that attach to the front sub-frame. That's how a REAL splitter is mounted. This will take fairly extensive fabrication skills as you'll need to craft the adjustable stand-offs and cut openings in the chin and bumper... if you do it though let me know!

 

I was thinking about that. I'm trying to think of a way mount the standoffs hidden (behind the bumper cover). Drilling into the bumper support is no biggie.

But, then I run into the problem of how to mount the back end of the splitter. Use the same mounting points as the factory underspoiler?

Note* I haven't looked under the car yet as I haven't had the time, these are just questions I'm asking myself at the moment. Hoping that you all have some feedback/ideas.