Front Splitter
Discussion
Classic Chim said:
So what are these splitters doing.
My basic understanding of aero is if you disturb/reduce and slow down the air going under the car with such a splitter the air speed over the car remains the same so in effect pushes the car down.
Or more to the point maybe by reducing the air speed travelling under the car you remove lift.
Im looking for some front end down force, will the air pushing over the splitter angle which is set forward on the CupraR spoiler just like our existing ones going to produce a downward force right there on the nose? !
Interesting stuff
The purpose of a splitter on a race car is to generate an air pressure difference between the top and bottom sides. You want high pressure on the top side and low pressure on the underside. It does this by causing a buildup of air on the top side at the front of the car. This high pressure air stagnates and air is forced to flow underneath the splitter where it is accelerated thus causing a drop in pressure. The net air pressure is 'downforce'.My basic understanding of aero is if you disturb/reduce and slow down the air going under the car with such a splitter the air speed over the car remains the same so in effect pushes the car down.
Or more to the point maybe by reducing the air speed travelling under the car you remove lift.
Im looking for some front end down force, will the air pushing over the splitter angle which is set forward on the CupraR spoiler just like our existing ones going to produce a downward force right there on the nose? !
Interesting stuff
To achieve proper downforce from a splitter you need something much larger than the lips being installed here. I have read that the guide is approximately twice the ground clearance for 'proper' aero - clearly this would look very stupid on a Chimaera!. Or you would need to run it very very low. The lips being shown here are mostly for looks and will have very little benefit in terms of downforce. Also for proper aero you would need to have a flat underside and a diffuser at the back. Without those things even a proper sized splitter won't work as well.
My Radical SR3 had a massive factory splitter and a flat floor and a rear diffuser and it certainly worked. Plus of course a massive rear wing!
Oh, I get it now so the mass of air these things disturb acts as the buffer to reduce even more air getting under the car by forcing it around the sides. I’m creating a V shape that’s for sure.
I’ve offered mine up and as I also have the three air vents I’m thinking I might try mounting it further back and directly behind those vents as I also run a ride height slightly higher than standard so should get away with it over speed humps but haven’t looked closely as yet.
I’ve offered mine up and as I also have the three air vents I’m thinking I might try mounting it further back and directly behind those vents as I also run a ride height slightly higher than standard so should get away with it over speed humps but haven’t looked closely as yet.
ric355 said:
The purpose of a splitter on a race car is to generate an air pressure difference between the top and bottom sides. You want high pressure on the top side and low pressure on the underside. It does this by causing a buildup of air on the top side at the front of the car. This high pressure air stagnates and air is forced to flow underneath the splitter where it is accelerated thus causing a drop in pressure. The net air pressure is 'downforce'.
To achieve proper downforce from a splitter you need something much larger than the lips being installed here. I have read that the guide is approximately twice the ground clearance for 'proper' aero - clearly this would look very stupid on a Chimaera!. Or you would need to run it very very low. The lips being shown here are mostly for looks and will have very little benefit in terms of downforce. Also for proper aero you would need to have a flat underside and a diffuser at the back. Without those things even a proper sized splitter won't work as well.
My Radical SR3 had a massive factory splitter and a flat floor and a rear diffuser and it certainly worked. Plus of course a massive rear wing!
Thanks for that reply Ric, really appreciate it. To achieve proper downforce from a splitter you need something much larger than the lips being installed here. I have read that the guide is approximately twice the ground clearance for 'proper' aero - clearly this would look very stupid on a Chimaera!. Or you would need to run it very very low. The lips being shown here are mostly for looks and will have very little benefit in terms of downforce. Also for proper aero you would need to have a flat underside and a diffuser at the back. Without those things even a proper sized splitter won't work as well.
My Radical SR3 had a massive factory splitter and a flat floor and a rear diffuser and it certainly worked. Plus of course a massive rear wing!
Hmm, so possibly of little benefit in real terms.
Fun trying though hey
bryn-6b4sm said:
phazed said:
I modified my front for additional cooling which definitely makes a difference.
The splitter directs additional air into the oil cooler and radiator.
What front splitter did you use ? Cheers BrynThe splitter directs additional air into the oil cooler and radiator.
This seems to be the best thread about this topic so rather than starting a new one I was wondering if this mod (i.e. fitting a Seat Leon Cupra R front splitter) was still something that people were doing?
It seems that when this was last discussed back in 2018 there were quite few people saying that they were thinking of adding this, so I was just wondering if anyone still has a front splitter on their car and if there were any pictures of this you'd care to share?
It seems that when this was last discussed back in 2018 there were quite few people saying that they were thinking of adding this, so I was just wondering if anyone still has a front splitter on their car and if there were any pictures of this you'd care to share?
debaron said:
Excellent work Sir - This is exactly what PH should be about. Great job and I'll be doing exactly the same on mine soon.
As the OP I did indeed fit the Cupra splitter and yes immediately noticed better front end stability at speed. Broke one over the years and fitted another.Prices gone up but everything has I guess....
Pic
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