Making a front splitter from scratch.

gelmonkey · Post by **gelmonkey** » Mon May 17, 2010 9:38 pm

Hi Tom

Thank you for the offer of the grommet strip.
I'm after about 7ft or slightly less of the stuff and ideally about 3/4mm internal radius so that I can get a snug fit over the top edge.

Have you got any of this?
If yes,let me know how much to send you and a cheque will be on it's way inc p+p.
Thanks mate.

Brian
Thank you for your very kind words.
I hope that those following the ramblings of mine have got at least some insight and maybe inspiration to have a go themselves as you say.
I have a small amount of final finishing to do and that will be photographed and posted along with the installed item at the end.

cheers
Paul

gelmonkey · Post by **gelmonkey** » Mon Jun 28, 2010 10:18 pm

The end is nigh...
Topcat kindly sent me some grommet strip a couple of weeks ago and I have spent some time tonight just slipping this on and doing a dry run of the final fixings and noted where any trimming is required.

Please excuse the ugly herman in the photos but my youngest son thought it would be fun to take the shots with me in them.
The sides need a bit of grinding back as even though I left the panel in the mould for quite some time it has still pulled in a little at the uppermost edges.
You can see in the photos the mounting blocks that I made out of foam and then glassed over.
These blocks just help to spread the load and to take up the void between the original panel and the splitter itself.
I am also not sure about the trailing edges and may well re profile these if it does'nt look right after spraying up.
Got a feeling that my trolley jack is somehow not going to fit under the front now

More later in the week.
cheers
P

stagcar · Post by **stagcar** » Tue Jun 29, 2010 7:23 am

Looking good mate

I love the front end of this car looks the nuts

how did you get rid of the 4 slot bit?

Cheers
Derek

gelmonkey · Post by **gelmonkey** » Tue Jun 29, 2010 8:01 am

Hi Derek
The car is a Cavalier not a Manta which had the 4 slot grill.
Thats it ,nothing else.
P

stagcar · Post by **stagcar** » Tue Jun 29, 2010 9:00 am

gelmonkey wrote:Hi Derek
The car is a Cavalier not a Manta which had the 4 slot grill.
Thats it ,nothing else.
P

Woops that will be it then LOL

goes to show just how simaler they are

Cheers
Derek

gelmonkey · Post by **gelmonkey** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 8:39 pm

Hi All
Well here it is then,the final installment.
I put the car up on axle stands and offered the splitter up.
I then drilled through the mounting pads into the panel.
Next was a couple of coats of Acid 8 etch primer and then a splash of satin black from rattle cans.
Final fit and trim the grommet strip that Tom sent down and then bolted it all up using 6mm socket headed cheese head machine screws.

Let the car down and Hey Presto a front splitter that cost in total £34.78.
Well I had to buy some paint as well.

Hope you enjoyed the project.
cheers
Paul

topcatcustom · Post by **topcatcustom** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 9:49 pm

Looks bloody excellent Paul nice one

Can see you're a perfectionist!!! Will we see it this weekend?

I do wonder how on earth your motor manages to stay cool with the lack of open space at the front!

bones · Post by **bones** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 7:46 am

Very nice, a very cool car. looking forward to seeing it at the weekend

rich

gelmonkey · Post by **gelmonkey** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 8:00 am

Hi Guys
Thanks for the good comments.
Will be up on Saturday so see you there.
Cheers
P

unstable load · Post by **unstable load** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 8:29 am

Paul,
that is so neat! Well done, man, I am seriously jeaous of your ability.

gelmonkey · Post by **gelmonkey** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 9:43 pm

Thanks John
We all have different skills and I often wish that my friends on here and other car friends all lived much closer to each other so hands on help was never a problem.
I suspect that you have skills that would knock my laminating malarky into a cocked hat.
If I can ever help you with anything GRP wise you just give me a shout and I will do my very best for you.
Cheers
P

JSF55 · Post by **JSF55** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 9:56 pm

Looks so "factory" nice work and a good lesson on how to go about it all

Cavman · Post by **Cavman** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 9:37 am

I dont mean to deliberately bump an old thread, but my goodness thats looks sweet!
couple of questions Paul, does it work? much noticable difference?
secondly, do you still have the mould? cos I know you know what I drive

and it has the same problem at "70mph"

I notice the Mrs's car lurking under cover in some of those shots too, what a lovely colour it is.....

gelmonkey · Post by **gelmonkey** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 10:35 am

Hi James
Yes I still have the mould but it will not fit your front spoiler as the profiles are completely different.
The splitter does work very well and I am sure that it has made a major diffence to the fuel consumption (averaging 30mpg on a run

).
The Mrs car is now in the build slot in the garage and I may or may not see if a splitter can be fabricated for that one.
We both have exactly the same front spoilers so if I do make something then another panel can be made and sent up for your project ok.

cheers
Paul