[Cloud9...68]

My car didn't come with any of the bottom panels that run beneath the engine compartment, other than the bat wing, and I'd like to add the center one at least. Has anyone who has installed the D1R splitter done it with a center panel in place? Are the two pieces compatible? I'd assume so, but I want to check before tracking one down. If they are compatible, does anyone have one they'd like to sell? Thanks.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Lear35A]

I've got both panels on with my D1R splitter and the lower suspension/caster brace too.. No problems.

No pieces to sell though.. Sorry.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Cloud9...68]

OK, good to hear. Does the middle piece butt right up against the splitter, or is there a gap between them?

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Lear35A]

They overlap actually. I'll get a picture tomorrow.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Cloud9...68]

That's good news. One of my motivations for wanting the center piece is that I have the RS Barn dual oil coolers, which includes a couple of hoses that run laterally across the car just behind the splitter, and thus are exposed, which makes me nervous. I've temporarily fashioned a shield out of aluminum flashing (which I also used for the fixed headlight buckets, and the oil cooler shrouds - very handy stuff) which should do a reasonable job of protecting these precious lines, but I'd like something more permanent.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Darryl]

I've got a spare "middle" piece that I'd part with. It's in "good used condition". I think there are a couple of cracks here and there but it's certainly usable.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[968ster]

anybody have a pic of the D1R splitter before installation or after but from underneath?

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

search is your friend. there is a shot of it on the ground in the thread all about it.



but since there are 50 of them out there, i'm sure somebody would be willing to take a shot in the air.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Lear35A]

Here's three pictures which may or may not help. The first one is the top side of the splitter. On this you can see the notch I cut out so that it fit into the step of the center piece. The other two are of the bottom of the installed splitter. (Sorry for the poor quality. My iPhone camera just couldn't handle this lighting condition.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

hmmm - there is no notch necessary. the center piece fits in just fine without it, and leaves a small gap between the splitter and the center pan, which allows the extraneous air to exit better without it, and help promote scavenging of that area, just like the OEM piece. it should not be sealed off. you just have to be sure not to over-torque the bolts so you don't crack the fiberglass. 7lb/ft is all they get. with that notch, there isn't a lot of material left near the bolt holes. i would not recommend doing that.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

if i were to make a design change, it would be to add a foam weatherstrip between the bottom of the radiator and the splitter. this would put back the seal at the bottom, helping maintain the positive pressure zone in front of the radiator, but also allow the extraction of the extraneous air, and at the same time help prevent cracking of the fiberglass.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[DaveN]

Good idea. The original Bat WIng has that rubber strip where there is none on the splitter. After my front end repaint in 2 weeks I will put some foam in there upon reassembly.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

not sure it will really do anything. can't hurt though.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Lear35A]

[quote name='flash' timestamp='1367006485' post='141925']hmmm - there is no notch necessary. the center piece fits in just fine without it, and leaves a small gap between the splitter and the center pan, which allows the extraneous air to exit better without it, and help promote scavenging of that area, just like the OEM piece. it should not be sealed off. you just have to be sure not to over-torque the bolts so you don't crack the fiberglass. 7lb/ft is all they get. with that notch, there isn't a lot of material left near the bolt holes. i would not recommend doing that.[/quote]

In my defense...I've seen the bottom of numerous race cars with "aerodynamic" bottoms. None had a transverse bump running across it. By having the notch most of that bump is gone. Without the notch I could see no scavenging gap, just a bump.

I've had the splitter off and on three times without any cracks or other problems.

Interesting idea about the weatherstripping. My splitter will have to come off again for painting. I'll put some in then.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

the gap is small. as for the "bump", it's more of a "wiggle" in the contour as it goes over the ridges in the center pan.



it terms of functionality, i don't think there is any measurable difference. i left the gap as an escape, because so did porsche. i didn't add the weatherstrip, purely as a laziness issue, and i couldn't figure out a good way to make it stay put over a long period, given that these come off quite a bit for service.



from a sturdiness standpoint though, having had one of these on the car for about 5 years now, i can tell you for sure than the small amount of material left after your notch will almost certainly result in cracking. it may take a while, but it will happen. lol - smack that puppy on the ground a few times and you'll see. those 3 locations are highly subject to cracking already. reducing the amount of material there begs for acceleration of that. i'm not changing that part of the design though, as i saw too much stress there on mine over the years. i actually thought about beefing that area up more. perhaps a piece of aluminum on the back side, like i did at the outboard corners



but hey, if it doesn't crack, bully for you.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Cloud9...68]

Good idea about the weatherstripping. For those who have had theirs off and on recently, how thick should this weatherstripping be (to save me the trouble of putting the splitter into place, measuring the gap, taking it off, and then running to Lowes for some weatherstripping)? And as far as width, I assume it should be the width of the radiator, right? Thanks.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

i'd say 3/4" thick and 1" wide should do it.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Cloud9...68]

Great, thanks. I have to run to Lowes anyway, so I'll pick some up.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[kzem1]

I would love to hear how that works out and see pictures when you are done with the splitter.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.