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Old 01-28-2012, 05:54 AM
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MC 968CS
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Default Front Splitter Issue

Hi, I seem to be having an issue with my front splitter on track above 200kph, or 125mhp. It is basically getting pulled down by the airflow and starts 'flapping'. This is new to the car and i cant understand why. The splitter is one of many I have had on the car, and is a new Carnewal type one; tough, a very solid plastic type material, and is well attached to the bumper, so its not loose screws.It is the best made one of my last 3! I have also in place the front undertray and all is attached properly on that too

Anyone else had this before, and what did you do? I am considering ideas including
1: a bracket (aluminium) running up from the centre of the splitter up onto the car to reinforce it
2: some form of under splitter bracing
3: little front braces in stainless wire with attachments.

The good news is shows the aero is working, but I need to fix it as an event in April runs at much higher top speeds.

Last edited by MC 968CS; 10-23-2012 at 10:40 PM.
Old 01-29-2012, 08:53 PM
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thingo
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Would you not consider going back to a fibreglass splitter, I know the carnewal is better for clearance and should last longer. I think reinforcing the underside would be the tidiest solution.
Old 01-30-2012, 12:28 AM
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JDS968
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Why not just add two support rods? That's the normal way to secure them at high speeds.

Old 01-30-2012, 05:27 AM
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MC 968CS
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This carnewal one has outlast 3 fibreglass ones, so not keen to try that again. The paint and change is a pain each time.

Tie rods......thats a maybe though! Thanks
Old 01-30-2012, 07:18 AM
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odurandina
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gorgeous car !!

i'm running a hybrid front valance after bashing up the original nose pretty good....

i will fabricate my lower splitter this spring. the core will be a re-worked bellypan extending out as one complete piece (similar to Nascar but also have the 997 GT2 shape up front... the core of the splitter will be a 10 guage (1/10") aluminum plate and be supported in the front with two support rods extending downward from (and fastened to the lower rung) of the bumper. but then i will sculpt the desired shape *(997GT2 style) with epoxy and wrap the whole thing with cf ... one nice thing about my valance is the rods will be shrouded behind the two uprights.... btw, my fuel milage running no cat/straght pipe was about 28 mpg on flat interstate, but since fabricating the new valance, the car is getting almost 2 mpg more... but, i'm sure i will lose that once the lower splitter is on.


no reason you can't do a similar nascar style for your setup as other 968 guys have done recently (similar to what JDS posted).

http://968turbo.com/image/2011-06-lg.jpg




.
Attached Images      

Last edited by odurandina; 01-30-2012 at 08:18 AM.
Old 01-31-2012, 02:33 AM
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Eric_k
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I never had a problem with the "Turbo S" splitter flapping. The center of your splitter might need more support. I have a simple brace behind the bumper cover running from the cross member down to the center of the lower grill. That is the spot furthest away from anything solid.

This the only picture I could find showing the support, this picture is from 2004.


I've gone to a much more aggressive version. This is made from 1/4" ABS plastic at it replaces the "batwing" and goes a few inches beyond the old splitter. It makes the old splitter (which is still there) look small. I needed it to match the GT3 Cup wing I added in back.


This is the picture odurandina was linking to:


Big version:
http://www.968turbo.com/image/2011-06-lg.jpg
Old 01-31-2012, 05:49 AM
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MC 968CS
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Thanks guys, that gives me away forward.

i will build that bracket like on Eric-K's early car shot - perfect!
Old 01-31-2012, 11:12 AM
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odurandina
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jds pointed out the need to clean up the air at the rear of the cars in front of the bumper cover. this is clearly a significant flaw with the 944/968... and unlike other cheap, crappy aspects of the car that can be debated, the rear underbelly is quite agregeous... for the street cars, there's at least room for 2~3 + mpg gain and more speed up and down for all the cars if you can clean the airflow back up under there.
Old 02-01-2012, 10:04 AM
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dillon410021
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Originally Posted by odurandina
gorgeous car !!

i'm running a hybrid front valance after bashing up the original nose pretty good....

i will fabricate my lower splitter this spring. the core will be a re-worked bellypan extending out as one complete piece (similar to Nascar but also have the 997 GT2 shape up front... the core of the splitter will be a 10 guage (1/10") aluminum plate and be supported in the front with two support rods extending downward from (and fastened to the lower rung) of the bumper. but then i will sculpt the desired shape *(997GT2 style) with epoxy and wrap the whole thing with cf ... one nice thing about my valance is the rods will be shrouded behind the two uprights.... btw, my fuel milage running no cat/straght pipe was about 28 mpg on flat interstate, but since fabricating the new valance, the car is getting almost 2 mpg more... but, i'm sure i will lose that once the lower splitter is on.


no reason you can't do a similar nascar style for your setup as other 968 guys have done recently (similar to what JDS posted).

http://968turbo.com/image/2011-06-lg.jpg




.
that new bumper looks so good
Old 02-01-2012, 12:00 PM
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TheBlau
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I saw that Design1Racing just released their new front splitter. It is made from fiberglass and has the batwing integrated into it rather than being a sandwich (I think there is one other on the market, can't remember who makes it). Looks very promising and at $300, extremely reasonable pricing. I have one on order and will post some pictures once it's painted and installed over the winter.

Here's the shot from their site:



And link to product page:

http://shop.design1racing.com/968-Fr...tter-SPL-1.htm
Old 02-01-2012, 02:03 PM
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RajDatta
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Any fiberglass splitter will not last one bump. It will shred to pieces. Waste of $$.
Old 02-01-2012, 04:08 PM
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Damian in NJ
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We did a group buy years ago for fiberglass front splitters from Fitzgerald/Fitzpatrick? Racing in Australia. I had mine painted, then covered in 3M wrap before installation.

Two weeks later . . .

End result, save up for an OEM splitter.
Old 02-01-2012, 04:28 PM
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I think it was Fitzgerald racing based out of Australia.
Old 02-01-2012, 04:33 PM
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Damian in NJ
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I remember the horror in the eyes of those in the parking lot of Rutts Hut in NJ when I pulled in for a get together-they were sure I was going to rip off the fiberglass splitter. When I saw them cringe I tip toed over it and only scraped it.
Old 02-01-2012, 06:46 PM
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i've had both fiberglass and carbon fiber splitters on my car. Never had issues with either flapping at speed...and i had the car up to 170MPH gps verified.

all my splitters were sourced from AIR (american international racing). Went through a couple fiberglass units, and then went with a CF unit which was much stronger and more durable.

the D1 splitter sits higher then the turbo S replica splitters, so it should last longer and be tougher to crack.

best material is polyurethane imho....but even those can crack if hit hard enough.


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