Sometimes I am a thrifty (i.e. cheap) person. So, I decided to try and make a frame mount splitter. I don't like splitters mounted to the bumper. Another member on this board in the Dallas area made one mounted to the frame, so I somewhat copied his, with some modifications. Disclaimer: I am a DIY type of person who very rarely measures, never have the right tools and thank God, Lowes is around the corner, because I make multiple and multiple trips, because I don't measure and don't really have the right tools. But, I did finally bite the bullet and I bought a Dremel. This tool saved me TONS of time on some things.

Parts:
Splitter: I had some aluminum-plastic sandwich material laying around:

You can buy this stuff at a sign store. But, it is too flexible. I supported it with some aluminum flat stock from Lowes/Home Depot, behind the bumper, but I think it is still a little too flexible up front.

I also used door edge molding to smooth out the edge:



And to match my new GTC200 wing, I made it look like a carbon splitter (from a distance.... like a mile a way, lol) using:


After thinking for a long while, making mistakes, I decided to attach the splitter using aluminum flat stock (thin), turn buckles, and aluminum angles, and self screw in screws. I used turn buckles because, I thought I may need to lower the splitter after I attached it and if it do need to take it off, I do not have to undo the screws. At the end of the day, actual money spent was probably around $50-$100 to make this splitter. BUT, I have NO clue if it functions because the test day is this Saturday. If the WASP splitter is a 10/10, I think mine is a 4/10. We'll see.

Detail pictures:
Final result:


Attachment:

 

Hmm looks pretty well made. Nice job!

 

So are the only mounting points, 6 self tapping screws into the side of the frame rail? If so, that seems a bit unsafe. I suggest maybe having the brackets fold over the top of the frame rail with the screws dropping down. That way forces are pulling the bracket against the rail instead of trying to shear those screws. Otherwise I think that splitter will be very functional. Im sure youll notice a significant difference.

 

I am hoping the forces are only shear and not a moment, then I should be ok?? Nonetheless, just drove it into work and at 70mph, it has held up...so far. Eventually I may either reinforce the splitter and mounting or just pony up the $$$ for a WASP.

 

looks good, any daylight pics?

 

Looks good to me. I'm considering something like this in the period before I can afford a WASP.

 

11th hour reinforcements added before track day tomorrow. I still don't really like my attachment. The original design used rivets, so I may look into that or some other design all together

 

your splitter looks great and thank you for considering us 10/10 (you really made my day, well night actually). i am guessing you are using alumilite which is an excellent material, however, be very careful with your bracketing system and use some type of support rods for the leading edge as the sheet can buckle and bend. the main disadvantage of alumilte is that the corrugated core only runs in one direction as you can see in pic below so if you cut your splitter in a way that core grooves run left to right (instead of front to back of the car) it MIGHT give and bend from the pressure. here is a picture of allumilite splitter off of a subaru sti that customer asked us to make a carbon fiber one instead. you can easily see how it bent across. so my only advice would be to run minimum of 2 front support rods in front. besides that, it looks great

 

Good stuff!

 

TEST RESULTS ....

ummmm... None... LOL... My splitter is somewhere on a local highway... Guess where it failed?

Nope, not the upper supports. I made a STUPID STUPID error. I forgot to spread out the force with the lower attachment points with washers. I know this, but in the rush to just get it on the car, I didn't go back and use washers under the screws on the lower attachment points. So basically, it just pulled through. The attachment rods are still on the car and only splitter fell off.

Sooooooooooooo what's next?

I am not sure. The wing alone I was probably 2 seconds faster, full throttle in places I could only dream about previously. I have another track day on 6/22 (about three weeks:

Option 1: Get a different splitter material (I think plywood may be to heavy for my mounts? I am thinking some sort of ABS plastic) Attach to mounts and try it out.
Option 2: Do Option 1 plus better mounts
Option 3: Leave it alone, I am already shockingly faster with the wing. I actually like the slight understeer in mid corner. It is very mild understeer, actually confidence inspiring.
Option 4: Go 10/10 with WASP.

I just got back, smelly, need a shower and time with my wife and son before I figure out which option to go.