Yet Another Diffuser Thread

[boredom.is.me]

I was helping a friend drop the subframe on his Z3, but I thought, "I've been wanting to come up with my own diffuser for months now." I took my cardboard, a blade, and a pen with me. While my friend was working on the one-man portions of his subframe drop, I was working on this.

I made both sides different on purpose just to get an idea of what different styles may look like. I like the passenger side more, but it still needed some work. I started CAD'ing a model of what I made and incoorporated a few changes. I think I have the shape to a point I may like. I'm working on the fins now.

The end goal is a piece that is subtle (one where I wouldn't have to worry about look like a tool bag, sorry if that offends anyone) and that extends to the front of the muffler housing (like the DWL one). I also despise all the sharp corners on the few others that have made appearances.

I'm looking around for good construction materials and pricing.

By the way, this isn't an interest thread.

[wootwoot]

I like the shape and profile. Look forward to seeing this develop.

[FRSfan111]

So far the same general size/shape as the driveway labs I through on this morning.

Props to a DIY though.

[boredom.is.me]

The general shape of a simple diffuser for this car isn't going to be much different from model to model. The one I scratched up was made out cardboard in about half an hour worth of time. The next idea doesn't look like that, but at the same time...it does because a simple....

I also didn't say I wanted the shape that's on it now. I simply stated that I preferred the passenger side.

[Wonderbar]

Originally Posted by boredom.is.me

The general shape of a simple diffuser for this car isn't going to be much different from model to model. The one I scratched up was made out cardboard in about half an hour worth of time. The next idea doesn't look like that, but at the same time...it does because a simple....

I also didn't say I wanted the shape that's on it now. I simply stated that I preferred the passenger side.

Nice!

The new version I'm doing looks very close to the right side of the mock up

[FRSfan111]

Originally Posted by boredom.is.me

The general shape of a simple diffuser for this car isn't going to be much different from model to model. The one I scratched up was made out cardboard in about half an hour worth of time. The next idea doesn't look like that, but at the same time...it does because a simple....

I also didn't say I wanted the shape that's on it now. I simply stated that I preferred the passenger side.

True enough. In no way was I trying to offend you, just being verbal about what it looked like to me. In for pics!

[boredom.is.me]

Originally Posted by Wonderbar

Nice!

The new version I'm doing looks very close to the right side of the mock up

Can't wait to see it.

Originally Posted by FRSfan111

True enough. In no way was I trying to offend you, just being verbal about what it looked like to me. In for pics!

None taken.


I figured you guys might like this. I started playing with the idea of a curved diffuser instead of a bent plate. The only real drawback i see to this would be the fact that I can't fold the sides upward easily. I would have to do a bit of reworking and they would have to welded to the center portion. Without the bend, my curved design will not tuck under the car as much.

I DID NOT MAKE THE CAR, but it seems pretty correct. I got rid of the exhaust because my design did not fit around it. I know what you are thinking. No I didn't get rid of the exhaust because it didn't fit. There's no OEM style exhaust out there for this car that hangs as low as the one that came with the car. I KNOW that my design will clear the OEM exhaust.

Who ever made the car must be a real stance head.


I have a Tsudo exhaust on order. When that gets here, I'll update this. I do think that it is still a bit much. If I can find a better way to mount it, that might change, but this looks like it could be the general shape. IT really is looking like a toned down version of the DWL diffuser.

[Gunman]

How accurate is that CAD data? is it public domain?

[kuhlka]

I've got a sheet metal bend/break/press in my garage and a ton of sheet aluminum. Very interested in this design.

[boredom.is.me]

Originally Posted by Gunman

How accurate is that CAD data? is it public domain?

What aspect of the "data" do you mean. The car is a public. It's somewhere in the Google...thing database thingy.

Originally Posted by kuhlka

I've got a sheet metal bend/break/press in my garage and a ton of sheet aluminum. Very interested in this design.

I'm jealy. I wish I had tools. Can your equipment handle curved surfaces? If you are doing it by hand, it would take some time as nearly every aspect of the design is curved.

I've been pondering the idea of having the design cut by water jet, then welded. I do not like rivets. There is a local (enough) shop that provides water jet cutting and welding so I'll inquire about it. The aluminum looks like it will be $110 shipped.

[Gunman]

Originally Posted by boredom.is.me

What aspect of the "data" do you mean. The car is a public. It's somewhere in the Google...thing database thingy.

Is it accurate enough to design body parts from, ie actual data from Subaru/Toyota via SEMA tech transfer, etc., or laser scanned.

Google sketch-up? can that data be exported as Parasolid, STEP or IGES?

[boredom.is.me]

No

[kuhlka]

Originally Posted by boredom.is.me

Can your equipment handle curved surfaces? If you are doing it by hand, it would take some time as nearly every aspect of the design is curved.

I've been pondering the idea of having the design cut by water jet, then welded. I do not like rivets. There is a local (enough) shop that provides water jet cutting and welding so I'll inquire about it. The aluminum looks like it will be $110 shipped.

I cut by hand with the plasma cutter. Just soap stone or sharpie the line and cut a tad large, then grind down to the exact shape with a cut-off wheel or belt sander. It'd be nice to know the optimal angles and mounting points before wasting a bunch of sheet metal.

[Gunman]

Originally Posted by boredom.is.me

No

Yeah, looks like sketch-up is poly based, so an STL is as good as you can get, and that's virtually crap. Oh well.