Front Splitter Endplates - Verus Engineering

[VerusEric]

We wanted to add another part to our line-up that adds front end down force. We wanted something that no one else had made yet, something effective, and something a bit sexy . Below is what we designed, the predicted performance of the unit, and a few photos of the parts on the shop car. These were designed to go on our front splitter, but may be able to install on other units as well.

Front Splitter Thread



Design:
The front splitter endplates were designed to increase front end downforce of the vehicle for improved performance at high rates of speed. By creating a high pressure pocket of air above the splitter and in front of the front wheels, we are able to increase front end downforce. By reducing the airflow that hits the wheel head on, we also reduce the airflow into the wheel well and thus lift generated in the wheel well.

Like all of our analysis before, each analysis was done using a half-car analysis since no yaw testing was completed. This is done using symmetry down the centerline of the car. Significantly less computational processing power is necessary when using a half-car model and was the reason behind this analysis approach. The meshing of the car is done using first a surface mesh and then volume mesh. To find a suitable mesh size for the analysis, a grid convergence study was done. A volume mesh count of 10 million cells was considered within the room of accuracy using mesh sensitivity analysis.


Fig 1: Vehicle in CFD software


Fig 2. Vector Plot of Front Splitter Winglet


Fig. 3: Streamline Plot of Front Splitter Winglet Test


Fig. 4: Scalar Plot of Front Splitter Winglet CFD Analysis

Numerical Data:
The front splitter endplates increase downforce and drag according to our CFD analysis. The additional front downforce comes with a penalty of increased drag, however the l/d (lift over drag ratio) for this component is favorable. To put in another way, the amount of down force this part produces is significant compared to the amount of drag increase.



Conclusion:
With a bit of math, at a mere 100 MPH, these two pieces add an expected 40 lbs of down force to the car. These can be used to help balance out a rear wing or allow the end user to run a bit more wing angle for faster times.

As we have said before, real world benefits may differ as this is a computational analysis. Something as simple as ride height or wheel choice can vary results, as well as various other aspects. Real world results could be better or worse than what is shown above. Keep in mind we did NOT vary any of these aspects and kept it a very simple A to B comparison with the results outlined above.

Photos:

Testing 3D prototypes. I used these 3D printed plastic units for about 2000 miles without issue, carbon fiber should be plenty strong.


Prototypes to production. Molds were created from a thicker 3D print we created as a plug.


Multiple photos of the carbon unit installed on the shop car.




We will have more photos soon with nicer wheels .

These will be available shortly and we will post when FT-86 SpeedFactory and our other vendors place these on their websites.
-http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/ft-86sf-velox-front-splitter-dry-carbon-fiber-endplates-2013-ft86.html#.Vse3_fkrJhF

Updated photos:

[8R6]

ahhhhh so thats what this piece is! i saw it on ig, but just thought it was a piece stuck on the sides of a splitter. i was actually going to make one of my own, but more similar in design like the ones found on the ATS-V and vette and other GM cars.

[continuecrushing]

woohoo! The parts list keeps growing! Awesome!

[ja1217]

Do you think these in combination with the race splitter would be enough to balance out a wing like the APR GT-250?

There are the numbers that APR advertises for the wing:



I had been leaning towards running a 5 inch splitter instead of the Velox unit as I didn't think 3 inches would be enough but these end plates may change that and I like that they also function as mini fender flares for larger tires.

[VerusEric]

Originally Posted by ja1217

Do you think these in combination with the race splitter would be enough to balance out a wing like the APR GT-250?

There are the numbers that APR advertises for the wing:



I had been leaning towards running a 5 inch splitter instead of the Velox unit as I didn't think 3 inches would be enough but these end plates may change that and I like that they also function as mini fender flares for larger tires.

That will depend on what AOA you plan on running. Yes, these will help balance out a rear wing .

[philooo]

The real question to ask is ... When is Velox will be selling their last piece of the puzzle ? A Velox wing that match the splitter with endplate ?

[quinceyc]

Quick question. How are the aero balance (F/R)of splitter and diffuser on this thread is different from the aero balance posting on the diffuser thread?

[VerusEric]

Originally Posted by quinceyc

Quick question. How are the aero balance (F/R)of splitter and diffuser on this thread is different from the aero balance posting on the diffuser thread?

Looks like we accidentally flip flopped front and rear on one of the data sets, I will look over our documents and correct whichever one is in error.

A close up picture with nicer wheels. Will get more as I have free time to take more pictures.

[VerusEric]

Originally Posted by quinceyc

Quick question. How are the aero balance (F/R)of splitter and diffuser on this thread is different from the aero balance posting on the diffuser thread?

Looks like I swapped front to rear balance from the diffuser data in the diffuser thread. Will get with FT86 SpeedFactory and correct this, thanks for catching it.

Units are now on the website: http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/ft-8...l#.Vse3_fkrJhF

Few more photos as of recent.

[Kwaziekeller]

Loving mine... and the wheel deflectors. Ready for warmer overnight lows so I can put my RPF1's and Direzza ZII's back on! Lots of front end grip even on my "winter" Continental DWS.

[cdrazic93]

jesus Eric, you just keep pumpin em out dontcha?! lol

[cdrazic93]

Originally Posted by philooo

The real question to ask is ... When is Velox will be selling their last piece of the puzzle ? A Velox wing that match the splitter with endplate ?

Im guessing finned skirts. Or underplate.

[VerusEric]

Originally Posted by cdrazic93

jesus Eric, you just keep pumpin em out dontcha?! lol

Doing our best. No longer a part time gig, this is my life now.

Originally Posted by cdrazic93

Im guessing finned skirts. Or underplate.

We have both in the works along with other aero development items. Time is hard to come by but more updates to come on all of it soon-ish.

[philooo]

I am very curious to see about the advantage of side skirts, but I would assume undercarriage would beat it easily

Personally I vote for a VELOX X-WING