Front Splitter and Bumper combo

victorofhavoc · 11-02-2020, 04:31 PM

I've seen that APR sells a basic splitter for the Z, but it only fits the Nismo front end. I have the second gen sport front end and a very large chassis mounted rear wing. I'm looking to balance the front end with a splitter and trying to determine best options for fitment.

Has anyone successfully used the second gen bumper with the APR splitter or some other splitter and track tested it? If the better option is to get the Nismo front end, is there an aero preference between the two gens. From what I have found by searching it appears a couple folks have used the first gen Nismo bumper and either filled the space in the middle or bent it to form so there's an air dam effect.

Update - 11/24/20: after looking at various pricey options and talking to Professional Awesome, my race mechanic, and a few others who know what they're doing with composites I decided to try my hand at making a splitter. I'm not new to working with carbon, but I've never built anything from the ground up like this with it.

Initially I intended to buy a splitter, but custom made stuff gets expensive fast and even basic plywood runs over 400$. I decided to first try finding my own marine plywood and cutting that to shape.

I found a local source of marine ply, but it's not high quality and bent on me while sitting on its side for one evening. I bought a bunch of nice hardware from professional awesome and planned to mount the plywood splitter with it. I still plan to use the plywood for a replica and core model, but I plan to use it to eyeball the hardware into spec.

I'll trace the bumper onto the plywood and measure out 4" from every vertical dam section, which means I will likely have to do the dam first.

The plywood will then mount to the car to test fit and get cut down to rough splitter shape.

Then the bumper goes on, then dam, and final jigsaw cut to ensure a clean and smooth finish to the facing edge. I'll also make note of any hardware holes, recess any necessary and retest fit. I'll also make note of the bumper lower side which will likely need a fence and dam extension, and plan accordingly.

Now comes the fun part... I can get polyisocyanurate foam from home depot for 12$ in a 1/2x4x8 sheet. Carbon composites sells fabrics, epoxies, and bagging kits which I'll buy to do 1.5gal epoxy, 5 yards of bagging kit material, and enough carbon fabric for 2 layers, plus an additional carbon Kevlar layer (in red/black because why not throw some color in in life). I'll also get a resin tank and venturi vacuum generator from Amazon.

The foam will be cut to the splitter shape, the edges routed, the backing removed, any holes or cutouts recessed and cut, and then the whole thing will get a thin layer of resin to smooth and seal pockets in the foam.

I'll do the multiple layers of fabric with epoxy between each, bag the sandwich, and then let it cure for 24 hrs. Once cured, I'll sand it, clean it up, and give it a solid coat of a water based outdoor poly with my spray gun.

I'm at the measuring out the bumper step now

.

Update 12/7/20: there's an issue with the vacuum setup and carbon arrived!! post 32

Rusty · 11-02-2020, 05:30 PM

I have the APR splitter on my V1 Nismo. I have a write up in my build thread. You have to use the ZSpeed undertray with it. I still have that gap in the center.

Check this one out.

https://www.battleaero.com/collectio...13934491140139

victorofhavoc · 11-03-2020, 06:56 AM

Yeah I read most of your write up, and that's where I saw the gap existed. It doesn't seem too terrible to cut up some abs plastic to shape and fit for an air dam.

Thanks for the battle aero link. I do have their swan neck rear wing, so the matching splitter might be nice. They're using a front lip as well though, and the sport bumper i think I'd have to just trim the bottom chin lip thing to act as an air dam?

Elmo370z · 11-03-2020, 10:45 PM

Contact professional awesome racing.

///maestro · 11-04-2020, 12:26 PM

I would recommend checking to see if you have a local plastic company. I found a company local to me that stocked up on their version of Alumalite (plastic composite mixed with aluminum). Charged me $80 for a giant sheet, good for 1 splitter.

Hotrodz · 11-04-2020, 12:47 PM

Nine Lives Racing make one for the Z as well.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

victorofhavoc · 11-04-2020, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elmo370z

Contact professional awesome racing.

Contacted them, and they said they would make a splitter (waiting on costs), but didn't say much about hardware, and that's the more challenging part anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///maestro

I would recommend checking to see if you have a local plastic company. I found a company local to me that stocked up on their version of Alumalite (plastic composite mixed with aluminum). Charged me $80 for a giant sheet, good for 1 splitter.

This is probably the best answer in combination with the battle aero hardware, so I don't have to develop my own, and forming my own air dam. I think the V1 Nismo bumper would probably serve the best aero purpose down the road, in combination with a small dam at the front of the lip lift.

Do you know what thickness the panel you got was and how much it weighed when you cut it to shape?

From looking at the V2 Nismo I can't tell if it has a flat bottom, nor how the air would actually travel on it, so it might be worse off than just the plain sport or V1 Nismo..?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotrodz

Nine Lives Racing make one for the Z as well.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Seems they want 485 for just the splitter, and it does look like a quality piece. They don't provide any hardware for that price though

.

Hotrodz · 11-04-2020, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by victorofhavoc

Contacted them, and they said they would make a splitter (waiting on costs), but didn't say much about hardware, and that's the more challenging part anyway.

This is probably the best answer in combination with the battle aero hardware, so I don't have to develop my own, and forming my own air dam. I think the V1 Nismo bumper would probably serve the best aero purpose down the road, in combination with a small dam at the front of the lip lift.

Do you know what thickness the panel you got was and how much it weighed when you cut it to shape?

From looking at the V2 Nismo I can't tell if it has a flat bottom, nor how the air would actually travel on it, so it might be worse off than just the plain sport or V1 Nismo..?

Seems they want 485 for just the splitter, and it does look like a quality piece. They don't provide any hardware for that price though

.

9LR makes quality stuff and is track proven! Personally I would use their products over BA because of that experience. Pretty much all the companies I am familiar with don't provide any mounting hardware because everyone has different needs. My first couple of splitters made by Next Level Performance and I had to cut it, drill holes and mounted it similar to what Rusty did. I believe Next LeveL still make their Nismo version one splitter. Also Carbon Signal makes a version one Nismo splitter.

Good luck in making your decision as there are numerous options including just getting one custome made.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

victorofhavoc · 11-04-2020, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotrodz

9LR makes quality stuff and is track proven! Personally I would use their products over BA because of that experience. Pretty much all the companies I am familiar with don't provide any mounting hardware because everyone has different needs. My first couple of splitters made by Next Level Performance and I had to cut it, drill holes and mounted it similar to what Rusty did. I believe Next LeveL still make their Nismo version one splitter. Also Carbon Signal makes a version one Nismo splitter.

Good luck in making your decision as there are numerous options including just getting one custome made.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

I don't mind doing some of the cutting, but if I can avoid having to make/weld my own hardware I'd like to try. 250$ for hardware to BA is steep, though. I was really trying to avoid having to shave the bottom of the sport gen 2 bumper and having to make an air dam, but it seems unavoidable unless moving to the nismo v1 bumper with a small dam at the front lip (or somehow bending it out).

Hotrodz · 11-04-2020, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by victorofhavoc

I don't mind doing some of the cutting, but if I can avoid having to make/weld my own hardware I'd like to try. 250$ for hardware to BA is steep, though. I was really trying to avoid having to shave the bottom of the sport gen 2 bumper and having to make an air dam, but it seems unavoidable unless moving to the nismo v1 bumper with a small dam at the front lip (or somehow bending it out).

If you not tracking the car the air dam ain't a big deal hell I hadn't worried about it because my talent wasn't up to all the mods I had anyway. I have been through three Nismo bumpers and on my fourth splitter. Them damn splitters tear chit up. Curbs are the devil and must be avoided at all cost!

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victorofhavoc · 11-04-2020, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotrodz

If you not tracking the car the air dam ain't a big deal hell I hadn't worried about it because my talent wasn't up to all the mods I had anyway. I have been through three Nismo bumpers and on my fourth splitter. Them damn splitters tear chit up. Curbs are the devil and must be avoided at all cost!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

My car isn't street legal. No airbags, no interior, cage, track alignment, slicks, giant wing. It's a track only car and I can definitely tell when the front end is getting light while the rear is planted. My local track has a straight that has a small hill crest and kink about 80% of the way down. At 125mph and the rear wing dragging the car back (my gti could hit 131 mph at the same point), the front end gets pretty light and twitchy. The GTI was the opposite, the rear would get light and twitchy

and that's a lot more sketchy since turn 1 is typically 75 mph +.

Hotrodz · 11-04-2020, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by victorofhavoc

My car isn't street legal. No airbags, no interior, cage, track alignment, slicks, giant wing. It's a track only car and I can definitely tell when the front end is getting light while the rear is planted. My local track has a straight that has a small hill crest and kink about 80% of the way down. At 125mph and the rear wing dragging the car back (my gti could hit 131 mph at the same point), the front end gets pretty light and twitchy. The GTI was the opposite, the rear would get light and twitchy

and that's a lot more sketchy since turn 1 is typically 75 mph +.

Right on! I am there with my Z as well. Aero balancing can be tricky. There is thread I started that speaks to some things to consider. I was mostly focused on spring rates for coil overs with a big wang and a 5" front front splitter. I haven't driven the Z in almost two years so it is going to be fun! Hopefully she will be track ready in the next couple of months.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

johnxxx · 11-04-2020, 05:12 PM

Just for reference I used this company that makes their splitters on order...(takes about 2-3 weeks) I have the stillen front fascia and my splitter fits perfect. They have splitters for several different aftermarket bumpers. Take a peek.

https://ventusautoworks.com/

victorofhavoc · 11-04-2020, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotrodz

Right on! I am there with my Z as well. Aero balancing can be tricky. There is thread I started that speaks to some things to consider. I was mostly focused on spring rates for coil overs with a big wang and a 5" front front splitter. I haven't driven the Z in almost two years so it is going to be fun! Hopefully she will be track ready in the next couple of months.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

This car is new to me, so a couple weekends ago was my first time in it, and my first time in an aero car on slicks on a road course. It was also my first time back in a Z and back in a 3 pedal car since early 2016. I have some relearning to do, and I have to move the fixed seat back (my elbow kept hitting the kidney seat ridge when trying to shift) before I get faster. It's setup as a TT3 car and I compared my times to the TT3 and TT2 drivers that were out that weekend. I was about 1.5 seconds ahead of the TT3 cars out and about 0.55 seconds behind the one TT2 car that was out. There are easily 2 seconds I'm leaving out on the track though, I know it!

It's so nice to be back in a Z! It really only took one session before the car started feeling very natural!

victorofhavoc · 11-04-2020, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnxxx

Just for reference I used this company that makes their splitters on order...(takes about 2-3 weeks) I have the stillen front fascia and my splitter fits perfect. They have splitters for several different aftermarket bumpers. Take a peek.

https://ventusautoworks.com/

It doesn't appear they have a chassis mount option, and it looks like the "fang style" mounting option they have has an inappropriate angle to the ground. Maybe this design is more intended for a low speed/autocross situation with a higher rake setup?

How do you like the stillen fascia? Seems like it might be comparable to v1 nismo in terms of aero/ducting capability?

11-02-2020, 04:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
victorofhavoc Base Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Kansas City Posts: 229 Drives: 2014 370z Rep Power: 14	Front Splitter and sport V2 bumper carbon homemade build I've seen that APR sells a basic splitter for the Z, but it only fits the Nismo front end. I have the second gen sport front end and a very large chassis mounted rear wing. I'm looking to balance the front end with a splitter and trying to determine best options for fitment. Has anyone successfully used the second gen bumper with the APR splitter or some other splitter and track tested it? If the better option is to get the Nismo front end, is there an aero preference between the two gens. From what I have found by searching it appears a couple folks have used the first gen Nismo bumper and either filled the space in the middle or bent it to form so there's an air dam effect. Update - 11/24/20: after looking at various pricey options and talking to Professional Awesome, my race mechanic, and a few others who know what they're doing with composites I decided to try my hand at making a splitter. I'm not new to working with carbon, but I've never built anything from the ground up like this with it. Initially I intended to buy a splitter, but custom made stuff gets expensive fast and even basic plywood runs over 400$. I decided to first try finding my own marine plywood and cutting that to shape. I found a local source of marine ply, but it's not high quality and bent on me while sitting on its side for one evening. I bought a bunch of nice hardware from professional awesome and planned to mount the plywood splitter with it. I still plan to use the plywood for a replica and core model, but I plan to use it to eyeball the hardware into spec. I'll trace the bumper onto the plywood and measure out 4" from every vertical dam section, which means I will likely have to do the dam first. The plywood will then mount to the car to test fit and get cut down to rough splitter shape. Then the bumper goes on, then dam, and final jigsaw cut to ensure a clean and smooth finish to the facing edge. I'll also make note of any hardware holes, recess any necessary and retest fit. I'll also make note of the bumper lower side which will likely need a fence and dam extension, and plan accordingly. Now comes the fun part... I can get polyisocyanurate foam from home depot for 12$ in a 1/2x4x8 sheet. Carbon composites sells fabrics, epoxies, and bagging kits which I'll buy to do 1.5gal epoxy, 5 yards of bagging kit material, and enough carbon fabric for 2 layers, plus an additional carbon Kevlar layer (in red/black because why not throw some color in in life). I'll also get a resin tank and venturi vacuum generator from Amazon. The foam will be cut to the splitter shape, the edges routed, the backing removed, any holes or cutouts recessed and cut, and then the whole thing will get a thin layer of resin to smooth and seal pockets in the foam. I'll do the multiple layers of fabric with epoxy between each, bag the sandwich, and then let it cure for 24 hrs. Once cured, I'll sand it, clean it up, and give it a solid coat of a water based outdoor poly with my spray gun. I'm at the measuring out the bumper step now . Update 12/7/20: there's an issue with the vacuum setup and carbon arrived!! post 32 __________________ Had a 2010 WRX- boy was it quick in a straight line, got a 2014 Z- man is she grippy in the corners-- then left the Z and later got a GTI, now back in an 09 racecar Z! Last edited by victorofhavoc; 12-07-2020 at 11:49 AM.

11-02-2020, 05:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
Rusty Ronin Samurai - Assassin Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fayettenam,Pennsyltucky Age: 68 Posts: 35,172 Drives: 2011 Nismo GM 6M Rep Power: 2684437	I have the APR splitter on my V1 Nismo. I have a write up in my build thread. You have to use the ZSpeed undertray with it. I still have that gap in the center. Check this one out. https://www.battleaero.com/collectio...13934491140139 street2soul likes this. __________________ 浪人 - 殺し屋 "The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only" http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

11-03-2020, 06:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
victorofhavoc Base Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Kansas City Posts: 229 Drives: 2014 370z Rep Power: 14	Yeah I read most of your write up, and that's where I saw the gap existed. It doesn't seem too terrible to cut up some abs plastic to shape and fit for an air dam. Thanks for the battle aero link. I do have their swan neck rear wing, so the matching splitter might be nice. They're using a front lip as well though, and the sport bumper i think I'd have to just trim the bottom chin lip thing to act as an air dam? __________________ Had a 2010 WRX- boy was it quick in a straight line, got a 2014 Z- man is she grippy in the corners-- then left the Z and later got a GTI, now back in an 09 racecar Z!

11-04-2020, 12:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
///maestro Track Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 530 Drives: 11' 370z\|09' BMW M3 Rep Power: 11	I would recommend checking to see if you have a local plastic company. I found a company local to me that stocked up on their version of Alumalite (plastic composite mixed with aluminum). Charged me $80 for a giant sheet, good for 1 splitter. Rusty and -ZS-Carpenter like this. __________________ Gallo24 swapped 370z Instagram: @z34_motorsport

11-04-2020, 12:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
Hotrodz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NW, AZ Posts: 9,330 Drives: 10 Nissan 370z Nismo Rep Power: 2684385	Nine Lives Racing make one for the Z as well. Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk Jmatchley86 likes this. __________________ *Fast Intentions TT Installed and Tuned by Seb at SpecialtyZ 610whp 560tq:\|Fast Intentions 3" TT-TDX*\|SpecialtyZ/Fast Intentions 72 Row Oil Cooler\|SZ 6 Puck Clutch & Flywheel\|3GsCustoms\|Z1\|Wavetrac\|Hotchkis\|Whiteline \|Blitz\|Fortune Auto 500\|Fujimura\|SPL\|H&R\|TK\|TWM\|RPM Rollbar\|Sparco\|Next Level Performance\|TrackSpec\|AeroFlow Dynamics\|Pioneer\|

11-03-2020, 10:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
Elmo370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: st. petersburg Posts: 5,709 Drives: 09 nissan 370z Sp M6 Rep Power: 295378	Contact professional awesome racing.

11-04-2020, 05:12 PM	#13 (permalink)
johnxxx Track Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: NJ Age: 64 Posts: 990 Drives: 2014 370Z PW Nismo Rep Power: 2684366	Just for reference I used this company that makes their splitters on order...(takes about 2-3 weeks) I have the stillen front fascia and my splitter fits perfect. They have splitters for several different aftermarket bumpers. Take a peek. https://ventusautoworks.com/ Hotrodz likes this. __________________ FI TT Kit #099 making 794whp/713# torque@23psi

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