Front Bumper / Front Vents / Aerodynamical goodies
 

So I’ve been hearing quite a bit of chatter about those who want a better frontal down force / lighter front / better aerodynamics / more ventilation in the front.

So here are my Ideas and please post yours here so we keep the other threads on topic :tiphat:

My Idea is a front bumper that has an air vent other than the grill placing that can have an attachment where air would be routed from there directly into the air box. Not just a hole in the bumper but an actual routing.

The bumper could be fiberglass or carbon fiber. Not carbon fiber for looks but it would be unidirectional carbon fiber fabric which is the same as any other carbon fiber fabrics, but not for cosmetically purpose. The bumper would have its top coat (gel coat) which could be primed and painted, and the reinforcement would be carbon fiber or fiberglass.

The price of something like this I’m not sure. But its not going to be in the thousands like other companies. I would plan on making this less than 1K.

I would be able to do carbon fiber for appearance also if requested but that would be much more since it would take quite some time to produce and it would take more than one person to do since carbon fiber products need to be done with in a certain amount of time so that it can be properly vacuumed for perfection.

We have never created products this advanced before (lip kits, grills, aerodynamic add ons, fenders… Those are all easy and simple) but this is something we have never done in the past so it would take about a month to fabricate including drying time and such. But then again… If we couldn’t do it I wouldn’t be posting this :p

So if there was enough interest this is something I have no doubt in my mind we can make happen. Like I always say. You're the boss, we're are the workers :D

Just keep in mind this wouldnt happen until after we get the CF roof, fenders, and a few other tiny mods finished.

John I am working on a few designs for ya ;) keep posted everyone...

I am so in. I will definitely help you choose a design that is both visually appealing and functional.

This is must have:

1) Big center opening for radiator.
2) Extended lower air splitter to keep the airflow tidy
3) smaller side vents ala M3 (e46 and e92) so we can put our oil coolers/ power steering coolers / brake ducts.
4) Available intake ducting (make sure they are in high pressure not low pressure zones)
5) Try and make it helpful to evacuate air out a vented hood :)

Here's some inspiration:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...TEX/imp_01.jpg
http://www.socalevo.net/gallery/albu...wing_small.jpg
http://www.rallysportdirect.com/shop...stiFbumper.jpg
http://www.201motorsports.com/images/P/AB-820500.jpg
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/c...airlady/01.jpg
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_...0003_large.jpg
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_fwmabZlAuFY/SF...Y/IMG_1185.JPG
http://images.importtuner.com/featur...front_view.jpg


Make anything like those last 2 and I will buy it.

I am probally not as hard core as these guys, but would it be possible to have a:

V1 Mold: Stock like appearance with the larger center for the radiator, the extended splitter ala Mine's

AND

V2 Mold with everything the first has including the smaller side vents RCZ requested?

Then again, I will wait to see what Bullitt cooks up....

I'm a likely buyer... aligned with RCZ's comments... take a look at the post on the german race team and maybe even consider reaching out to them to find out how they ended up with the design that they have... the new impul design is much improved as well, take a look at that ( Impul Updated 370z Aero Kit - The IMPUL 934s v2.0 | 370zblog.com)... finally, I'll be running a 4-5 inch splitter eventually and want you to consider provisioning for that as well ! wish list, right !

How abuot this?
 

Actually, I like the idea with the red WRX. The vents are right up front, but are VERY subtle.

I took a forward facing pic of the Z and circled where vents could go. It would stay clean as it will be in a section that is black anyway; you could barely see the opening, but they would be functional.

We could also truly open up the fangs and have tubing built so that that opening truly becomes functional....

So compiling all the comments so far into a basic mind sketch.

Big center opening which will allow easy room for intercoolers of all sizes, side vents to allow cooling for components (oil can, power steering, etc) as well as a vent where an optinal routing tube can be hooked up to the intake.

Then either an intergrated lip or canards that will allow great air passage, as well as having the shape form in such a way that it woudl allow air to slide directly into the grill area which for many of you would contain an intercooler.

This is going to be a huge production when it comes to :excited:

Well, I was kinda discussing this with someone. Developing a front bumper isn't one of those things you do without knowing what you are doing. If you are going to make something good and functional you are going to have to do some homework. It definitely will be a production, but perhaps its time to take the next step :)

Niceley said :) Looking forward to taking it up a notch!

Yeah, in fact, you may want to team with someone that has aero experience. Talk with Stillen, for example, they recently did some front aero work for the GTR. Their also working on cooling parts and will have some strong opinions on how much airflow is optimum. Maybe you guys can work together???

At the end of the day, I think you need two options 1) enthusiast setup and 2) hardcore setup... You're never going to satisfy all of us with one design... if you make it for RCZ and me, other folks will think it is over the top... if you make it for all of them, you'll lose my attention probably

my vote is come out with ONE product that you can mass produce with happy customers. just based on what you are saying, you might be biting off more than you can chew with all these feeler threads:ugh2:

I don't mean any offense, but that's settling with mediocrity...

^ I understand all you guys and am glad to hear all the good words and help :)

Even though I have a few feeler threads, we arent going to start everything at once and take orders. Once product at a time :D

Good thinkking. I agree with travisjb. I would be more interested in an enthusiast setup, where obviously travisjb and RCZ want hardcore stuff.

That is what I meant by V1 and V2.

Standing by.

none taken. being i used to run my own business as well, its easy to get in past your head and then just piss away all your potential customers :tiphat:

John, keep in mind that the corner wings you see on some of the images displayed on this thread are critical for downforce, but they are generally bolted on, so you could produce a bumper to sell en masse without the wings, then a V2 version of the bumper as mentioned with the wings bolted on. The same approach could be used for the front splitter, perhaps have two options, a more tuned down version for the street folk, and a more agressive one for the track. I am not sure if the splitter itself could be bolted on as an option (just like how I mentioned it for the corner wings), but if so, that would make it easy.

You'd have one basic bumper where the front openings would not change, then you'd have the splitter as two different options, and the corner wings as additional options. If it's possible, this would give you a more marketable product, I think.

By the way, I just PMed you.

RCZ, great pics. Here's a couple of interesting pictures of Team Tarzan's Impreza. This is an all-out Time Attack monster, used to great success last year (and will be this year too) by this successful Japanese team. The first shot shows the front splitter really well without the corner wings:

http://ll.speedhunters.com/u/f/eagam...mg_0137kai.jpg


This second shot shows the same car with the corner wings added (bolted on), and it's a great look at their carbon hood too:

http://image.modified.com/f/15652796..._side_view.jpg

Something simple should be considered too like a Carbon blade splitter. Simple, adustable downforce, etc..The front end design would appear to be compatible with something like this..

http://images103.fotki.com/v421/phot...SC02314-vi.jpg

http://images103.fotki.com/v428/phot...SC02535-vi.jpg

http://images114.fotki.com/v650/phot...MG_0540-vi.jpg

I think it should be noted that Nissan is not selling the Nismo 370Z front end without a VIN from a Nismo 370Z. I ran into this issue when I hit a ladder (nothing I could do) that scratched the hell out of my front and had it replaced. I tried without success to get the Nismo aero parts, but the parts guy at the dealership ordered the S-Tune aero parts. After he realized they weren't what I wanted, he couldn't order the Nismo parts without a VIN. I'm currently working another angle on this.

HOWEVER, believe that most here would agree that the Nismo kit is clean AND more important Nissan claims that their design adds downforce without increasing drag. That is why I think it is safe to assume that starting with a *similar* design and making it widely available would satisfly your design requirements. I'm sure someone here could photoshop an image of the Nismo front end that incorporates some of the design considerations put forth by the community (ie canards and added ducts for oil cooler).

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/image...NISMO-370Z.jpg

^ good suggestion on starting point

love the nismo bumper, i would be happy with a variant of it.

we're getting somewhere... now we need someone with photoshop talent to do 2 variations... v1 enthusiast and v2 hard-core

Take some cues from the Le Mans 370

http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/q...an370Z_031.jpg
http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/q...an370Z_027.jpg

Intake vents - Check
Big center opening - check
Bigger Splitter - Check
Side intakes for brake cooling - check.

More pics here
http://www.the370z.com/track-autocro...rburgring.html

That woudl be the best way to go! Kind of like the Honda S2000 basic bumper, then you have the sport bumper which is just the extensions that add on to the base bumper, but increase aerodynamics by 80%.

The venting on the LeMans Z that RCZ posted is really great. The openings at the top of the bumper would serve Stillen G3s well, the bottom serving brakes well, and the large opening serving oil coolers and anybody with an intercooler.

x2!

You guysa re going to give me a heart attack making us make all these parts :stirthepot:

I just got done googling pics of different front lips for the Z I may want, but all the ones that are out there are either too low or too crazy for daily driver type. I love the fujimara front spoiler but a $1000 for CF and $900 for painted?! Are you serious? I sure many Z drivers feel the same as I do about the price.

Hopefully you guys can make something not over aggressive front lip.

Just my 2 cents...

+1.

I really want something subtle that is suitable for daily driving. It doesn't even have to be CF. Hell, it'd be nice to have some cheaper non-CF options! :tup:

Maybe something subtle like this one ???

http://ra64freddy.files.wordpress.co...pg?w=460&h=300

I'm thinking even subtler than that. I would knock that splitter off within 10 minutes of installing it.

;) I know Steve lol... :stirthepot:

In the end as long as its tasteful and it doesnt create lift and its decently priced... it will be a success.

:icon18:

Hmmm...

^^^ Those are some good drawings!!! I like the first design!

I like the 2nd design!

+1 I like the design of the second drawing. Doesn't look like it would be too low.

Actually the 2nd drawing is very similar to the Mine's design....

Thanks. I think the Mine's is more aggressive than #2.

I'd like to see something like one of those two in both CF and some cheaper material for the rest of us. :D

John,

lol I stayed up till 2 am working on the final revisions on the widebody!!! I will fax over a copy of the drawings today so be on the look out bro! :D I will call you when I send them... The rear looks SICK!!!