FT-86 SpeedFactory Front Splitter - Pics + Data

[eric6]

Alright, got some updates to both the street front splitter and the race upgrade. The street splitter should be back in stock at FT86 in around 2 weeks, with a new twist . See photos for the update . And if that isn't your thing, you can just install it with the blank side up.





And next you'll see some pictures of the upgraded race splitter. Results from our CFD analysis show an increase of 34% in downforce with a minimal increase in drag!







Again, race upgrade should be available around the beginning of August .

[gramicci101]

That looks great, Eric. Are vanes 1 and 8 spaced further apart than 2-6 for aero reasons? What would happen if the vanes were angled at all? It would probably increase drag a bit, but could it help direct airflow?

[eric6]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

That looks great, Eric. Are vanes 1 and 8 spaced further apart than 2-6 for aero reasons? What would happen if the vanes were angled at all? It would probably increase drag a bit, but could it help direct airflow?

Those were moved outward more than the others because they covered the mounting hole if they were kept at the same spacing.

The whole premise behind our idea was to speed up airflow. By speeding up airflow, you create a low pressure zone (pressure and velocity are inversely proportionate). Low pressure equals downforce. Paul came up with this specific airfoil design to keep drag to a minimum while promoting high velocities.

So, to answer your question, we did not angle them in the tests. It went against our thought process as angling them would slow down the air. This would direct the airflow though, possibly reducing drag, but also probably reducing down force. This would also have added another multitude of tests, each of which take a lot of time (over a day to run, then analyse, then change, then run again).

Aerodynamics takes quite a bit of intuition or you can sit their for weeks scratching your head asking what you are doing wrong (been there, done that lol). Their will always be room for improvement, but at some point they become diminishing returns for the days and hours put into it.

[plucas]

At stock ride height, the race setup shows an increase of 17 lbs of downforce over the street setup. Currently running the analysis of the splitter with Driveway Labs diffuser. After that, ride height data. I have not forgot about you all, just running analysis day and night.

[glamcem]

added some supporting rods and installed the Driveway Labs V1 rear diffuser















I can't wait to test both diffuser/splitter combo next week ( I will be attending twotrack events )

[Pete156]

Originally Posted by glamcem

added some supporting rods and installed the Driveway Labs V1 rear diffuser

I can't wait to test both diffuser/splitter combo next week ( I will be attending twotrack events )

Looks Good! Nice work with the supporting rods. Have you considered a Gurney flap also?
Pete

[troek]

good looking car!

[glamcem]

Originally Posted by Pete156

Looks Good! Nice work with the supporting rods. Have you considered a Gurney flap also?
Pete

Are you referring to the Sti gurney flaps that go over the OEM spoiler? If so, I don't find them that functional I think they are only for aesthetics. I want to try this combination first and try to get away without the drag penalties of the wings but if I have to, I will most likely get a proper wing or maybe higher spoiler (like the VIS Ams style duckbill trunk) AFAIK, the proper spoilers help with reducing lift without adding drag

[Pete156]

Originally Posted by glamcem

AFAIK, the proper spoilers help with reducing lift without adding drag

That's exactly what the flap is designed to do, though I haven't seen any official test numbers on it. STI's wind tunnel testing showed an increase in downforce without increasing drag.

[Rocket.BRZ]

Does anyone have data on how well the apr splitter functions? I have the APR and it looks fantastic. Does it work as well as it looks?

[glamcem]

Originally Posted by Pete156

That's exactly what the flap is designed to do, though I haven't seen any official test numbers on it. STI's wind tunnel testing showed an increase in downforce without increasing drag.

do you have a link of the wind tunnel testing? It's really hard to believe that small piece is actually functional

Originally Posted by Rocket.BRZ

Does anyone have data on how well the apr splitter functions? I have the APR and it looks fantastic. Does it work as well as it looks?

As I look at the design it seems like it should be functional also but I don't know

[glamcem]

@plucas @eric6 what is the main difference between the race version and the street version other than the fins/vanes? is the front side sticking out further towards the front?

Also, can I simply add the fins/vanes to my splitter to benefit from better flow?

Thanks in advance

[eric6]

Originally Posted by glamcem

added some supporting rods and installed the Driveway Labs V1 rear diffuser

I can't wait to test both diffuser/splitter combo next week ( I will be attending twotrack events )

Glamcem, I hope that the splitter tie is attached to metal. Otherwise, those ties aren't doing much since the bumper is just plastic. Our kit, which will add support directly to the crash beam, will be out in approximately a month. If you decide to add supports yourself, you need to attach it to metal on the car to make it be of much benefit.

Originally Posted by Rocket.BRZ

Does anyone have data on how well the apr splitter functions? I have the APR and it looks fantastic. Does it work as well as it looks?

Looking at the APR splitter in pictures, it should create some downforce, but not as much as what the FT86 Speed Factory splitter produces. The splitter ties look to be installed in the bumper plastic, which for the most part is just for looks instead of function. That tells me the splitter doesn't have much force on it, thus not very much downforce.

[Rocket.BRZ]

Originally Posted by eric6

Glamcem, I hope that the splitter tie is attached to metal. Otherwise, those ties aren't doing much since the bumper is just plastic. Our kit, which will add support directly to the crash beam, will be out in approximately a month. If you decide to add supports yourself, you need to attach it to metal on the car to make it be of much benefit.



Looking at the APR splitter in pictures, it should create some downforce, but not as much as what the FT86 Speed Factory splitter produces. The splitter ties look to be installed in the bumper plastic, which for the most part is just for looks instead of function. That tells me the splitter doesn't have much force on it, thus not very much downforce.

Do you have any intentions on testing the APR splitter in comparison to yours?