M.Bonanni Project 370Z V3.0 | Clean Slate

M.Bonanni · 03-08-2012, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPOHN

OSG FTW. I'll be putting mine to more use come Monday. First track day of the year.

So far as you splitter goes. Are you adding that to the exsisting lip kit you already have?

No, I sold the SEIBON lip a while ago. Adding a splitter to that would have hung way too low. It will just be its own thing. Chassis mounted, made out of birch plywood ghetto style.

ChrisSlicks · 03-08-2012, 05:39 PM

Why plywood instead of aluminum? Just because it is cheap and easy to come by?

I thought about making something out of aluminum but I'm guessing it would have to be 14 gauge minimum (1.5mm) to have enough stiffness.

M.Bonanni · 03-08-2012, 05:49 PM

Yeah price and availability mainly. Once I have a finalized aero package on this car I may opt to rebuild my splitter out of something better but I have a feeling I will go through a few of these in different lengths/designs before my car is "done" in the aero department.

JB-370z · 03-08-2012, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.Bonanni

Thanks! I'm trying.

It's probably boring to some as its not a crazy $100k build, but I figured some might enjoy reading about something like this through a perspective you don't usually get to see. Just a regular guy without a bunch of money working hard to continue doing what he loves! Hopefully it will at least inspire someone to get out there and do the same thing.

I like this comment, true in every way.

Mike · 03-08-2012, 08:38 PM

hmm, plywood. I saw a plywood one online somewhere that caught fire and burned the car up.

Be careful.

travisjb · 03-08-2012, 08:38 PM

I started with plywood... then went to "boatboard" which is black plastic often used in boats... now with thick aluminum... there is signboard material that would work well - honeycomb structure plastic with thin alum sheet on both sides, that is probably a good compromise of weight, stiffness and price... I am planning to use this material for an undertray

I use a flat aluminum bar at the "rear" of the splitter and towards the front have a custom bracket where the splitter is attached on both sides to the bracket via quick release pins. Then in front of the car I have two threaded rods I can use to adjust the angle, those rods are welded to the alum bumper beam

There are pics somewhere in my journal

M.Bonanni · 03-08-2012, 08:48 PM

I've got me a solid plan fellas, have no fear. Wood splitters are not uncommon.

Travis - Alumilite is that sign material you're talking about but a sheet of it goes for around $100 as opposed to $30 for the wood at home depot.

travisjb · 03-09-2012, 12:20 AM

Yup, alumilite. Sometimes sign shops will part with scrap - maybe worth calling around? Use it once you get the design perfected

And of course, I knew plenty of ppl in AZ NASA that used plywood, so either way is fine I'm sure.. plywood has good mechanical properties for a splitter, and when prototyping, it is easy to work with and cheap!!

Boost_lee · 03-09-2012, 03:39 AM

DIY splitters and aero...

me likey

sixpax · 03-10-2012, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.Bonanni

I've got me a solid plan fellas, have no fear. Wood splitters are not uncommon.

Travis - Alumilite is that sign material you're talking about but a sheet of it goes for around $100 as opposed to $30 for the wood at home depot.

Actually, last years national NASA champion in some class ran a plywood splitter all year ... I think it was an EVO-R. I think painted and everything it was about 65 pounds though ... fairly heavy. Didn't seem to slow him down any. Wish I could find the link (you may have seen it even already) it was a nice writeup by him that started from a 4 x 8 hunk of plywood all the way through mounting it on the car.

Mike · 03-10-2012, 05:29 PM

I remember where I saw one catch on fire, British Top Gear. I think the POS they were racing had an oil leak or something and hot oil ignited the wood.

M.Bonanni · 03-11-2012, 11:51 AM

The wood portion wont extend underneath the oil pan for that exact reason.

M.Bonanni · 03-18-2012, 06:52 PM

Been working on my custom splitter the last two days! Still a lot to do, but it's starting to look like a splitter! Have to figure out how to brace the sides of the splitter a bit better back toward the wheels, trim the back edge so the tires wont hit it, and figure out how to mount the air dam that's just taped up there in the photo. That, and a few other miscellaneous tweaks and it will be ready for water sealant and paint!

SPOHN · 03-18-2012, 07:01 PM

Looks good. Can't wait to see final product.

M.Bonanni · 03-25-2012, 11:56 AM

Some photos from the past few days. Took a little road trip down to Fast Intentions and Specialty Z for a new exhaust system and UpRev tune! Went with long tube headers, 18" resonators, carbon fiber mufflers, and a new little upgrade that will be offered from FI for those with a keen eye.

Exhaust is AWESOME, well worth the wait...well worth the wait.

After the exhaust, Seb from Specialty Z did a quick UpRev tune, which also now comes with a sweet new feature that allows you to lower the temperature at which the cooling fans kick on which should help cooling efficiency a good deal. Details coming soon in a blog post I am working on for my website.

Back in Vegas now with a full day of working on the splitter ahead of me. Unless there are some unforseen problems, I should be able to get the splitter build done and start getting it water sealed and painted! Vinyl goes on Tuesday, new corner balance and alignment on Wednesday night, and then its on the road to Phoenix for the Modified Magazine Tuner Shootout!

03-08-2012, 05:39 PM	#212 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	Why plywood instead of aluminum? Just because it is cheap and easy to come by? I thought about making something out of aluminum but I'm guessing it would have to be 14 gauge minimum (1.5mm) to have enough stiffness. __________________ Hotchkis ARB \| Stillen CAI \| Art Pipes \| Berk CBE \| Stillen AP Racing Brakes \| AE Performance Oil Cooler \| BC Racing ER Coilovers \| Doran Control Arms

03-08-2012, 05:49 PM	#213 (permalink)
M.Bonanni The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 2,575 Drives: Fast Rep Power: 1320	Yeah price and availability mainly. Once I have a finalized aero package on this car I may opt to rebuild my splitter out of something better but I have a feeling I will go through a few of these in different lengths/designs before my car is "done" in the aero department. __________________ MikeBonanni.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MikeBonanni Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MBonanni36 Function > Form

03-08-2012, 08:38 PM	#215 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2186	hmm, plywood. I saw a plywood one online somewhere that caught fire and burned the car up. Be careful. __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

03-08-2012, 08:38 PM	#216 (permalink)
travisjb A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GSO Posts: 2,803 Drives: VIR Rep Power: 188	I started with plywood... then went to "boatboard" which is black plastic often used in boats... now with thick aluminum... there is signboard material that would work well - honeycomb structure plastic with thin alum sheet on both sides, that is probably a good compromise of weight, stiffness and price... I am planning to use this material for an undertray I use a flat aluminum bar at the "rear" of the splitter and towards the front have a custom bracket where the splitter is attached on both sides to the bracket via quick release pins. Then in front of the car I have two threaded rods I can use to adjust the angle, those rods are welded to the alum bumper beam There are pics somewhere in my journal __________________ 2009 370Z #104 For Sale

03-08-2012, 08:48 PM	#217 (permalink)
M.Bonanni The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 2,575 Drives: Fast Rep Power: 1320	I've got me a solid plan fellas, have no fear. Wood splitters are not uncommon. Travis - Alumilite is that sign material you're talking about but a sheet of it goes for around $100 as opposed to $30 for the wood at home depot. __________________ MikeBonanni.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MikeBonanni Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MBonanni36 Function > Form

03-09-2012, 12:20 AM	#218 (permalink)
travisjb A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GSO Posts: 2,803 Drives: VIR Rep Power: 188	Yup, alumilite. Sometimes sign shops will part with scrap - maybe worth calling around? Use it once you get the design perfected And of course, I knew plenty of ppl in AZ NASA that used plywood, so either way is fine I'm sure.. plywood has good mechanical properties for a splitter, and when prototyping, it is easy to work with and cheap!! __________________ 2009 370Z #104 For Sale

03-09-2012, 03:39 AM	#219 (permalink)
Boost_lee A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SATX Posts: 2,813 Drives: 09 370Z TT 6MT Rep Power: 29	DIY splitters and aero... me likey __________________ My TT Z

03-10-2012, 05:29 PM	#221 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2186	I remember where I saw one catch on fire, British Top Gear. I think the POS they were racing had an oil leak or something and hot oil ignited the wood. __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

03-11-2012, 11:51 AM	#222 (permalink)
M.Bonanni The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 2,575 Drives: Fast Rep Power: 1320	The wood portion wont extend underneath the oil pan for that exact reason. __________________ MikeBonanni.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MikeBonanni Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MBonanni36 Function > Form

03-18-2012, 06:52 PM	#223 (permalink)
M.Bonanni The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 2,575 Drives: Fast Rep Power: 1320	Been working on my custom splitter the last two days! Still a lot to do, but it's starting to look like a splitter! Have to figure out how to brace the sides of the splitter a bit better back toward the wheels, trim the back edge so the tires wont hit it, and figure out how to mount the air dam that's just taped up there in the photo. That, and a few other miscellaneous tweaks and it will be ready for water sealant and paint! __________________ MikeBonanni.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MikeBonanni Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MBonanni36 Function > Form

03-18-2012, 07:01 PM	#224 (permalink)
SPOHN A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Covington, GA Age: 45 Posts: 14,844 Drives: Waiting on next Z Rep Power: 221	Looks good. Can't wait to see final product. __________________

03-25-2012, 11:56 AM	#225 (permalink)
M.Bonanni The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 2,575 Drives: Fast Rep Power: 1320	Some photos from the past few days. Took a little road trip down to Fast Intentions and Specialty Z for a new exhaust system and UpRev tune! Went with long tube headers, 18" resonators, carbon fiber mufflers, and a new little upgrade that will be offered from FI for those with a keen eye. Exhaust is AWESOME, well worth the wait...well worth the wait. After the exhaust, Seb from Specialty Z did a quick UpRev tune, which also now comes with a sweet new feature that allows you to lower the temperature at which the cooling fans kick on which should help cooling efficiency a good deal. Details coming soon in a blog post I am working on for my website. Back in Vegas now with a full day of working on the splitter ahead of me. Unless there are some unforseen problems, I should be able to get the splitter build done and start getting it water sealed and painted! Vinyl goes on Tuesday, new corner balance and alignment on Wednesday night, and then its on the road to Phoenix for the Modified Magazine Tuner Shootout! __________________ MikeBonanni.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MikeBonanni Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MBonanni36 Function > Form

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