10-02-2020, 08:46 PM | #1 |
Drives: 2011 Chevrolet Camaro LS Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Posts: 58
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Carbon Fiber Front Splitter
As I found myself finishing my second year of college (mechanical engineering) during Covid-19 season, I needed to fill my time. I had just finished a fluid dynamics class which covered aerodynamics and wanted to see what improvements I could make on my Camaro. I also have a huge interest in composites, although my only experience has been with respect to FSAE.
To keep a long story short, I created a front splitter out of carbon fiber, and I'm in love with it. I hand laid the entire thing, so while there are errors, I think it turned out fantastically. Here is some production photos Here it is on my Camaro I don't want to write a whole process of how I did the whole setup, although I am more than happy to discuss the process with anyone interested.
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10-03-2020, 10:46 AM | #2 |
Give speed a chance
Drives: 2015 Camaro 2LS, 2015 Camaro Z/28 Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Mesa, Az
Posts: 2,262
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Gotta say BEAUTIFUL WORK!!! Almost too nice for street use. Watch out for curbs, rain channels and other road abnormalities. I've been considering getting the "Sliplo" protection for my Z. You may want to do the same to protect your excellent fab work.
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2LS: a TREMENDOUS machine. Z/28: it's a BIT MORE POWERFUL, of course.
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10-05-2020, 09:59 PM | #3 |
Drives: 2012 Victory Red LFX Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: west central Texas
Posts: 1,310
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Wow, very nice.
The rods mount to the steel bumper it looks like? I want to build a similar setup but the idea of removing the nose has put me off so far.
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2018 SS wheels, red Heritage grille, actual driving lights, ZL1 strut tower brace, GM Performance billet aluminum fuel door, front grille Bowtie delete, painted red rotors and calipers, 1/4 window American Flags, splash guards, AEM dry panel air filter.
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10-06-2020, 07:42 PM | #4 | |
Drives: 2011 Chevrolet Camaro LS Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Posts: 58
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Quote:
Your Z is absolutely gorgeous. Definitely a dream car of mine for sometime after I finish my undergrad.
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10-06-2020, 07:43 PM | #5 |
Drives: 2011 Chevrolet Camaro LS Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Posts: 58
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It does connect to the steel bumper because otherwise it wouldn't have much rigidity other than the frame mounts. I definitely recommend doing something similar, and I'll definitely offer advice/ideas where I can.
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"If you aren't first, you're last" -Ricky Bobby |
10-09-2020, 11:46 AM | #6 |
Drives: 2012 Victory Red LFX Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: west central Texas
Posts: 1,310
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Well, i guess i'm pulling the nose off and doing it.
ABS or carbon fiber is my next dilemma. If CF then i gotta build a form too but less likely to break in the long run. The jury is still out on material but either way it'll need rods.
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2018 SS wheels, red Heritage grille, actual driving lights, ZL1 strut tower brace, GM Performance billet aluminum fuel door, front grille Bowtie delete, painted red rotors and calipers, 1/4 window American Flags, splash guards, AEM dry panel air filter.
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10-09-2020, 02:02 PM | #7 |
Drives: 2011 Chevrolet Camaro LS Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Posts: 58
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Carbon fiber is a great way to go. I worked on it in my free time and found it took me about a week. If you need any assistance in design, feel free to message me!
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"If you aren't first, you're last" -Ricky Bobby |
10-29-2020, 02:35 PM | #8 |
Drives: 2011 SS-RS Join Date: May 2011
Location: FLORIDA
Posts: 11,485
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Bro, that looks freakin amazing !! Nice work and looks great on your Camaro!!!
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TSP STAGE 3 CAM,231/246 @112 LSA 614/641 LIFT, CIRCLE D 5C-4200-4500 CONVERTER,LOD INTAKE.CORSA EXHAUST. DSS 1 PC DS. PEGASUS SOLID CRADLE MOUNTS. 486RWHP/475RWTQ.LOTS MORE.
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05-11-2021, 10:45 AM | #9 |
Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Colorado
Posts: 112
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Looks awesome, a buddy of mine started doing carbon on his own cars and friends cars and now owns an amazing carbon fiber company that makes whatever you can think of! Might be a good idea for you as well, can never have enough good people working on carbon.
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05-11-2021, 08:16 PM | #10 |
Drives: 11 Camaro V6 RS, 03 BMW Z4 Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Beijing & Michigan
Posts: 483
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That is very beautiful work. I've had a splitter on my car for almost as long as I've owned it (though I doubt it actually does anything) and I've been pretty careful and its remained relatively scratch free. I just curbed it while parallel parking soon after I bought it. I learned my lesson real quick and haven't had any more bumps after that. I hope yours also stays mint too.
I was wondering about your fog lights, are you using them as ducts for brakes? |
08-30-2021, 11:46 AM | #11 | |
Drives: 2011 Chevrolet Camaro LS Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Posts: 58
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Quote:
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08-30-2021, 11:47 AM | #12 |
Drives: 2011 Chevrolet Camaro LS Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Posts: 58
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I've definitely considered composites work for a career. My engineering class that covered those topics was one of my favorite classes I've taken. They're super awesome to work with!
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"If you aren't first, you're last" -Ricky Bobby |
08-30-2021, 11:48 AM | #13 |
Drives: 2011 Chevrolet Camaro LS Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Posts: 58
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Thank you! It was a lot of work, but I love it. I still want to do some side skirts but I'm planning to get more in depth with the process.
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"If you aren't first, you're last" -Ricky Bobby |
08-30-2021, 08:27 PM | #14 | |
Drives: 11 Camaro V6 RS, 03 BMW Z4 Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Beijing & Michigan
Posts: 483
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Quote:
I'd love to see how you make the fog lights into ducts. t seems to be a bit tighter inside the Camaro's front bumper. I've installed brake ducts on my other car, a Z4. There is a company that makes backing plates that bolt on for the Z4, all I had to do was cut out a hole in the grill for the ducting. |
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