Manntis

Rotorhead.ca is developing an airdam that will clean up the front of the car by moving the bumper bar a few inches back into the body (and do away with the heavy hydraulic shocks in the bumper). The airdam will be flexible plastic (polyurethane), not fibreglass, to make it a bit more forgiving on curb bumps.

Right now clay sculpting is in progress to test the real-world feasability of the crude sketch below. The three large openings are screened off with black mesh to protect the rad, etc. The intent is to preserve the chisel-nose when viewed from the side whilst eliminating the metal header panel, the jutting bumper, and front-end lift at speed caused by the stock angled surfaces under the front belt-line. Note the new cutline that runs from the side of the headlamp bucket and through the front of the fender.

FB II

looks like the front end of an old muscle car...

Metallic_rock

just wondering how sturdy it will be, since there isn't much in the middle holding stuff together... (mesh isn't much) It looks great, and I think I'd be interested if it works well.

Manntis

The two bars that divide the grille, continuing the bodylines defined by the hood creases, actually extend back to the rad... in stock form there are two metal partitions attached to the header panel - this new front end uses those mounting points along with those of the original bumper shocks, etc. for multiple attachment points.

Rotary13B1

iTrader: (8)

build it and they shall come.... Hey manntis...make it somewhat close to the IMSA air dam and you got yourself a sale right here! I'll be purchasing one very soon and hopefully yours will be in the production stages then!

CHEF_EG_1

what about designing one for the widebody crowd? hopefully, something to replace this?

Manntis

Next in the pipe - wheel arches. Instead of flaring the whole fender, I'm looking at a design that adds Rally-esque flares to just the arch - meaning the body lines are more or less preserved. Of course, this design only flares by a few inches...

Rotary13B1

iTrader: (8)

What's the projected/estimated price for such an airdam?

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

good idea. allow me to throw in my 2y
1. the jdm cars had bumoer brackets and not the shocks like we have, so buying/making something shouldnt hurt crashworthiness much

and b, if you look at the picture you'll see the bumper is perpendicular to the ground

Manntis

I'm negotiating with a few shops - the plan is to partner with one that will keep the mold on hand, then when they're spraying poly for another client they'll give the mold a few coats to create one of these bumper/dams. That keeps setup and labour costs way down, hopefully keeping the dam price to something appropriate for an FB.

Right now it's in the clay stage, as I mentioned above, so I'll have to wait until the mold is finalized before getting firm prices. I don't want to cite a date as it seems like most manufacturers as soon as I declare a date some unforseen event arises and sets me back a few weeks

mwpayne

Any chance it'll bolt up to mariah mode one fenders?
I'm nearly ready to buy a replacement from mariah, mine got wrecked. If yours will work, I'll be glad to wait.

Manntis

Not sure, but not likely unless the Mode 1 have the same profile as the stock fenders.

Pedestrian X

That will be awsome! I really hope it does keep the "chissel nose" look!

CHEF_EG_1

5 lug wheels? hmmmm.....


Separated at birth? hmmmmm........

82streetracer

iTrader: (1)

I like that sketch alot.

Are you planning on side skirts and rear also. Or will the this damn just work with the stock setup.

The_7

that looks cool, you should make a rear bumper to go with it that comes a little closer to the ground and squares off a little so it doesnt look like the rear tapers off when you look at the car from the angle like in the drawing.

excitingleopard

Ugh. Sorry, but in my opinion that looks horrible.

Like FB II said, looks like a muscle car.

The FB is not a muscle car.

enigma32

I'm with FB II and excitingleopard...

But I won't say horrible =)

It looks good...... But it does look like a muscle car... and it's not something I'd put on my ride...

It's just not right!

LongDuck

How about something similar to this:



Link provided here: http://www.panteracars.com/lv01Dscn0883.jpg

FYI - car is a Detomas Pantera, circa 1980's and uses a very sleek design partnered with a US-made V8 for ease of maintenance. The design facets of this car are still very modern for being 20 years old. I have a particular like of the last models produced in the early 90's. Search google to get more info,

mar3

iTrader: (8)

Kinda bizarre actually...I especially don't like the Porsche 928 "passing light" slits beneath the headlights....reminds me of that horrendous purple car that keeps popping up every couple of weeks. It's kind of a pumped up Enzo nose, but mazda isn't in F1....

Mr. ImportGuy

It looks like a porsche 914 front end.

Manntis

Good eye, Mar3 Actually my inspiration was the Gallardo nose, toned down and with the centre panel free-breathing instead of a centre airdam.

mar3

iTrader: (8)

For Pete's sake, LongDuck, if you're going to give an example, at least clean it up so you can see what the heck you're talking about...sheesh...

Manntis

not the best Pantara I've seen

excitingleopard

I like the idea of a large area of mesh. plenty of circulation for the engine. if only it could look more BFish. Props to variety though.