FT-86 SpeedFactory Diffuser by Verus - Complete Aero Solution

[Kostamojen]

One of my fins was bent too

[Lone Starr]

@ft86speedfactory @NotEric6

Both strakes bent and one has a sizable chip that goes down to bare metal. I've sent an email and am waiting for a resolution.

Tony

[VerusEric]

Originally Posted by Kostamojen

One of my fins was bent too

Sorry to hear this. For those that decide they want to fix it themselves, the aluminum is very pliable. You can straighten it with wood blocks, some microfiber towels, and some pressure from your hands or a C-clamp.

Originally Posted by Lone Starr

@ft86speedfactory @NotEric6

Both strakes bent and one has a sizable chip that goes down to bare metal. I've sent an email and am waiting for a resolution.

Tony

I'm sure they will get back to you in a day or two. This is upsetting for both parties. Shipping companies are absolute barbarians and we will figure out how to avoid this in the future.


In other news, we heard what some of you were saying and we whipped up an alternative strake design. This is a more subtle design. We will run CFD on it in the coming weeks and ensure we did not lose too much efficiency. We are multiple months out on this design, I would say three minimum.



Thanks,
Eric

[Kostamojen]

Originally Posted by NotEric6

Sorry to hear this. For those that decide they want to fix it themselves, the aluminum is very pliable. You can straighten it with wood blocks, some microfiber towels, and some pressure from your hands or a C-clamp.

My fin wasn't too bad, I was able to straighten it rather easily. I can see how it can get bent REALLY bad in shipping though with one wrong drop (Perhaps a FRAGILE sticker with an up arrow might help?)

My biggest problem however, is that this doesn't clear the stock midpipe at all... I'm more disappointed about this than anything else:



The cutout is obviously for center-pipe exhausts, I thought the stock midpipe would fit fine from looking at the list of exhausts but it just doesn't clear. I had to bend the heck out of it and I'll probably have to cut a good chunk out of it to get it to not rattle at any point

Other notes:

The plastic "bushings" should probably be replaced with something more sturdy or at least wider, giving the diffuser more support.

I'd recommend having more than just 6 mounting points, maybe 8 if you can find another two just for security.

Pics:





I like the design overall, the install was a little more difficult than expected but still not difficult. Overall I'm happy with the looks, not sure about the functionality yet (haven't driven it) and not keen on the install/fit on the car. I think it needs more work.

[VerusEric]

Originally Posted by Kostamojen

My fin wasn't too bad, I was able to straighten it rather easily. I can see how it can get bent REALLY bad in shipping though with one wrong drop (Perhaps a FRAGILE sticker with an up arrow might help?)

My biggest problem however, is that this doesn't clear the stock midpipe at all... I'm more disappointed about this than anything else:



The cutout is obviously for center-pipe exhausts, I thought the stock midpipe would fit fine from looking at the list of exhausts but it just doesn't clear. I had to bend the heck out of it and I'll probably have to cut a good chunk out of it to get it to not rattle at any point

Other notes:

The plastic "bushings" should probably be replaced with something more sturdy or at least wider, giving the diffuser more support.

I'd recommend having more than just 6 mounting points, maybe 8 if you can find another two just for security.

Pics:





I like the design overall, the install was a little more difficult than expected but still not difficult. Overall I'm happy with the looks, not sure about the functionality yet (haven't driven it) and not keen on the install/fit on the car. I think it needs more work.

I have the diffuser installed on a completely stock exhausted car and it clears. It is very tight, but it clears and I have yet to get it to rub. Are you sure the front portion of the diffuser is installed as low as possible? Are the spacers installed on the rear 4 mounting points? See the photo from earlier in the thread:

[Kostamojen]

Originally Posted by NotEric6

Are you sure the front portion of the diffuser is installed as low as possible?

Diffuser is as low as possible near the midpipe. I couldn't lower it any more where it mounts to the swaybar brackets. My muffler has plenty of clearance though, its just the midpipe thats in the way.

An alternate version with the hole setup for the stock midpipe location would work better IMO. That way I could still get better flowing air where the big gaping hole is currently.

[johan]

Originally Posted by Kostamojen

Diffuser is as low as possible near the midpipe. I couldn't lower it any more where it mounts to the swaybar brackets. My muffler has plenty of clearance though, its just the midpipe thats in the way.

An alternate version with the hole setup for the stock midpipe location would work better IMO. That way I could still get better flowing air where the big gaping hole is currently.

I know this would kinda suck, but seems you could take some tin snips and cut a small sliver off right at the edge of the pipe to make some clearance. I'm running the stock midpipe too, and am dreading the same issue. I'm wondering though if part of the key is that having the diff cover addition allows you to let the center of the whole thing sag a bit, giving a bit more clearance?

[Kostamojen]

Originally Posted by johan

I know this would kinda suck, but seems you could take some tin snips and cut a small sliver off right at the edge of the pipe to make some clearance. I'm running the stock midpipe too, and am dreading the same issue. I'm wondering though if part of the key is that having the diff cover addition allows you to let the center of the whole thing sag a bit, giving a bit more clearance?

The diff cover won't change anything IMO, might actually make it more difficult to fit.

I plan on cutting it when I get a chance since its basically ruined from being bent anyway, but I ran out of time tonight. I'll drive it a bit and see if it rattles tomorrow.

[johan]

Originally Posted by Kostamojen

The diff cover won't change anything IMO, might actually make it more difficult to fit.

I plan on cutting it when I get a chance since its basically ruined from being bent anyway, but I ran out of time tonight. I'll drive it a bit and see if it rattles tomorrow.

Well I guess I'll find out tomorrow - if mine isn't destroyed in shipping.

[VerusEric]

Originally Posted by Kostamojen

Diffuser is as low as possible near the midpipe. I couldn't lower it any more where it mounts to the swaybar brackets. My muffler has plenty of clearance though, its just the midpipe thats in the way.

An alternate version with the hole setup for the stock midpipe location would work better IMO. That way I could still get better flowing air where the big gaping hole is currently.

The stock mid-pipe will clear with the stock muffler, on the website it states stock exhaust. I personally drive my car this way right now, for 300 miles, and still have an 1/8" of clearance just like I installed it. My best guess as to what is happening is that the axle back you have pushes the factory mid-pipe lower than the stock muffler does, causing your issue. All I can do is apologize at this point; we will add even more slotting for the front of the diffuser to sit lower for the next production run. Doing an alternative version of the main plane of the rear diffuser would logistically be very difficult.

I want to ask again, you used the spacers on all *4* rear mounting points correct? The outer two most mounting points look fairly close to the rear bumper but it could be the angle of the photo.

[Kostamojen]

Originally Posted by NotEric6

I want to ask again, you used the spacers on all *4* rear mounting points correct? The outer two most mounting points look fairly close to the rear bumper but it could be the angle of the photo.

The photo I took of the midpipe hitting was actually when I just barely had the bolts on (with just a thread or two holding everything on the car). I tried with lots of bushings or no bushings and it didn't change the clearance at all because its so close to the mounting points with the swaybar brackets.

Maybe if I loosen the muffler to midpipe bolts and rotate it a little I might get some more room?

[VerusEric]

Originally Posted by Kostamojen

The photo I took of the midpipe hitting was actually when I just barely had the bolts on (with just a thread or two holding everything on the car). I tried with lots of bushings or no bushings and it didn't change the clearance at all because its so close to the mounting points with the swaybar brackets.

Maybe if I loosen the muffler to midpipe bolts and rotate it a little I might get some more room?

How many spacers are you using on each point? It's odd that mine fits and yours doesn't .

[cslntuee]

Originally Posted by erok81

Oh if I came off as saying it's bad product or anything negative against you guys, I'm not. I should have been more clear I guess.

It was more of a warning to others and a heads up to you guys. Check the box before the ups guy leaves (I don't even know if that would help). Also to improve the packaging.

I haven't contacted anyone on it. At first, while I was a little disappointed, it was more of a joke. I don't expect any compensation or anything. I bent it back and it's really close. Like I said I'm probably the only one that will ever notice.

I will say one thing...I've had other diffusers in the past so was expecting an easy go bending it back. Nope. This thing is well built. It took wood and some hammering to get it straight.

On a positive note...it looks awesome and fits great. Took about 20 minutes to install. Five of that was trying to figure out what the CAD drawing was for - I'd suggest popping on to ft86 speed factory for the very nice instructions. Otherwise you'll wonder what the hell the piece of paper is for.

This isn't the best picture but it looks good!

Did you need to do any modify to fit with your rear spats?

Thanks.

[xkalelx]

That's crazy those strakes are getting damaged so bad. And WTF on that fitment? I'm leaning towards Driveway Labs diffusers after seeing this.