Carbon fibre/kevlar front splitter.

[alex s]

I was looking at my car today and I think one of the things that lets it down in the "cheap" plastic front splitter. So I have spoken to a company that will mould a carbon fibre front splitter ( I think this will tie in with the rear spoiler much better) also being reinforced with several layers of kevlar underneath. The cost would depend on the number ordered varing from £1000 for a one off, reducing in price to £180 approx if they make 10 units, which is not far off the cost of a plastic one!! So my question is this, would anyone else be intrested in buying one of these?? I am quite happy for them to use my splitter to make a mould. When I have a better idea of numbers I can get a firm price.

[amg merc]

alex s said:

I was looking at my car today and I think one of the things that lets it down in the "cheap" plastic front splitter. So I have spoken to a company that will mould a carbon fibre front splitter ( I think this will tie in with the rear spoiler much better) also being reinforced with several layers of kevlar underneath. The cost would depend on the number ordered varing from £1000 for a one off, reducing in price to £180 approx if they make 10 units, which is not far off the cost of a plastic one!! So my question is this, would anyone else be intrested in buying one of these?? I am quite happy for them to use my splitter to make a mould. When I have a better idea of numbers I can get a firm price.

Alex, a nice idea but what would the benefit of CF be in this cvase? Being less flexible than the standard fiberglass splitter wouldn't it be firmer - and hence less forgiving (and so transmit the, albeit occasional, scraping force up into the clamshell)?!

I think I'd prefer a solid rubberised version that was kinder when scraped.

[thatphilbrettguy]

Been there, done it...kind of. Played with a titainium splitter for a bit but found it just kept pinging off. Carbon fibre one's just going to go bang and puncher your tyres as you go over its shattered remains.

If you change the splitter it MUST be thinner. (shameless name drop time) chatting to Lee I wondered if the standard splitter didn't work as it was too thick. He muttered something about regulations and said the minimum diameter had to be 19mm.

Martin (V6GTO) had a good idea. What's thin, strong but not brittle, that is cheap and can be easily shaped. MDF! Ok, you're not going to get your nice carbon fibre look, but you will have a splitter that works.

Cheers

Phil

[alex s]

The idea was to get a thinner splitter, with regards to it being brittle, that is where the kevlar comes in, it would be a composite of both CF and kevlar sandwich.

[thatphilbrettguy]

alex s said:

The idea was to get a thinner splitter, with regards to it being brittle, that is where the kevlar comes in, it would be a composite of both CF and kevlar sandwich.

Hhhmmm, may work. BTW I can't see how they can use your splitter as a mold. There's nothing (apart from the mounting points) that you want to keep. Just as a guide, the minimum radius of my titainium one was 1mm. I'd guess at anything over 3-5mm isn't going to work. It's a challenge isn't it?

[m12_nathan]

Hold fire - the carbon corner splitters as used on Lee's race car will be making production, not sure of costs yet but you can bet they will be able to get the volume required for a good price.

Cheers

[amg merc]

m12_nathan said:

Hold fire - the carbon corner splitters as used on Lee's race car will be making production, not sure of costs yet but you can bet they will be able to get the volume required for a good price. Cheers

Nathan, any photos anywhere?

[micknall]

I can appreciate that many owners like the look of the front splitter and will always have one fitted, but just in case you're not aware, it makes no difference to the car's aero/handling/stability. That's why we've deleted it from the M400. I'd hate to think that people were spending a lot of money believing that the splitter was essential!

Simon Hucknall
Press Officer
Noble Automotive Ltd.

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

micknall said:

I can appreciate that many owners like the look of the front splitter and will always have one fitted, but just in case you're not aware, it makes no difference to the car's aero/handling/stability. That's why we've deleted it from the M400.

Yeah that's true for the standard, safe, 'think-of-the-children' version, but I think you'll find that sharp ankle cutters do work. How legal they are for road use is another matter....

Regards

Phil

[m12_nathan]

amg merc said:

m12_nathan said: Hold fire - the carbon corner splitters as used on Lee's race car will be making production, not sure of costs yet but you can bet they will be able to get the volume required for a good price. Cheers Nathan, any photos anywhere?

Look at the Lee Racing an M400 thread - you can see them there.

I've hacked my normal spoiler with my trusty jigsaw to get rid of the lip that comes down as since the car has been lowered it scrapes everywhere. Just need to tidy it up and give it a lick of paint before putting it back on.

[amg merc]

m12_nathan said:

amg merc said: m12_nathan said: Hold fire - the carbon corner splitters as used on Lee's race car will be making production, not sure of costs yet but you can bet they will be able to get the volume required for a good price. Cheers Nathan, any photos anywhere? Yeh, did Nathan. the first photo ("M400") is too dark to see the ends of the splitter but I get the point. Look at the Lee Racing an M400 thread - you can see them there. I've hacked my normal spoiler with my trusty jigsaw to get rid of the lip that comes down as since the car has been lowered it scrapes everywhere. Just need to tidy it up and give it a lick of paint before putting it back on.