2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

FC Rear Diffuser

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 2, 2017 | 12:01 PM
  #1  
TRRAPLN's Avatar
Thread Starter
(Terraplane)
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 345
Likes: 13
From: Arizona desert, where the terraplanes roam.
AZ FC Rear Diffuser

I recently designed a Custom FC Rear Diffuser for my S4 FC.











I made a mock up of the finished product in foam core.









This is a MOCK UP so bend angles and deflection are a result of weak foam core material.

MOCK UP installed on car.

















Sorry pictures aren’t better. It’s hard to get the underneath of the car lighted.


I plan to make this from Aluminum sheet, laser cut and CNC press brake form then assemble using custom Mounting Brackets, aftermarket Struts and Pop Rivets.
I’ll paint it after assembly.

Installation is simple. Attach front brackets to Muffler Shroud bolts toward front of gas tank on the sides. Attach rear Mounting Brackets to the two bottom bolts under the rear OEM tow/tie down hooks. Assemble Struts to Brackets and side holes in Diffuser. Adjust for level/height.

This is designed to provide approximately 5 ½ inch ground clearance. My FC is 25 ¾ inches at the rear wheel arches. It fits my Borla cat back exhaust and covers the bottom of the gas tank and spare tire well.

Constructive comments/questions/suggestions are welcome. PM’s Welcome.

What do you think?
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2017 | 08:20 PM
  #2  
RotaryEvolution's Avatar
Sharp Claws
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (30)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 50
From: Central Florida
i never much cared for the rear diffusers, the only way you can get them to look decent is by wrapping them under the exhaust as well and then they take up the whole bottom half of the car.
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2017 | 11:08 PM
  #3  
LargeOrangeFont's Avatar
Fistful of steel
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,202
Likes: 27
From: OC, So Cal
Looks pretty good. If you are willing to make 2 PM me, I'll give it a go.

Any pics of it off the ground so we can get a better perspective of the fit mounting points?
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2017 | 02:50 PM
  #4  
TRRAPLN's Avatar
Thread Starter
(Terraplane)
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 345
Likes: 13
From: Arizona desert, where the terraplanes roam.
Originally Posted by RotaryEvolution
i never much cared for the rear diffusers, the only way you can get them to look decent is by wrapping them under the exhaust as well and then they take up the whole bottom half of the car.

I considered a full muffler covered diffuser but didn't like all the clutter. Those winglets are just too much for me.

To each their own.

It could be an add on.


Reply
Old Apr 3, 2017 | 03:00 PM
  #5  
TRRAPLN's Avatar
Thread Starter
(Terraplane)
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 345
Likes: 13
From: Arizona desert, where the terraplanes roam.
Originally Posted by LargeOrangeFont
Looks pretty good. If you are willing to make 2 PM me, I'll give it a go.

Any pics of it off the ground so we can get a better perspective of the fit mounting points?
"Attach front brackets to Muffler Shroud bolts toward front of gas tank on the sides. Attach rear Mounting Brackets to the two bottom bolts under the rear OEM tow/tie down hooks. Assemble Struts to Brackets and side holes in Diffuser. Adjust for level/height."

Look under your car at the single bolts on each side that hold the aluminum shields around the gas tank next to the muffler. The front mounts to that and the rear is held up by the splitter struts.


Reply
Old Apr 13, 2017 | 12:22 PM
  #6  
TRRAPLN's Avatar
Thread Starter
(Terraplane)
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 345
Likes: 13
From: Arizona desert, where the terraplanes roam.
Diffuser mounting bolt.

"Any pics of it off the ground so we can get a better perspective of the fit mounting points?"

This shows the right front mounting bolt for the front on the diffuser.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2017 | 03:06 PM
  #7  
Gregory Casimir's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 11
From: Miami , Florida
this is pretty neat! Are you planning on selling this or a DIY project with all the measurements?
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2017 | 05:59 PM
  #8  
TRRAPLN's Avatar
Thread Starter
(Terraplane)
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 345
Likes: 13
From: Arizona desert, where the terraplanes roam.
Thanks.

Right now I plan on making several, one for me and remainder for first come first serve.

I'll post pics of the final product mounted on my car. Probably in 4-6 weeks.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2017 | 09:02 PM
  #9  
Nitrometano's Avatar
Do you feel lucky punk!!!
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
From: Puerto Rico
looks great!
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2017 | 11:15 PM
  #10  
brian_skotch's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member: 15 Years
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 987
Likes: 31
From: ABQ, NM
Very cool man! Kudos for taking the leap.
Reply
Old May 1, 2017 | 09:15 AM
  #11  
djSL's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member: 10 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,142
Likes: 135
From: Duluth, MN
Depending on cost and if the side portions are made/available, I'd be interested. IMO, I think it looks better having the diffuser go under and around the exhaust like shine auto's rep.
Reply
Old May 1, 2017 | 11:48 AM
  #12  
Akaviri's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member: 10 Years
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 199
Likes: 10
From: Philadelphia
This will be great if it is a pure bolt-on diffuser. Nobody likes drilling holes in their car.
Reply
Old May 1, 2017 | 12:25 PM
  #13  
TRRAPLN's Avatar
Thread Starter
(Terraplane)
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 345
Likes: 13
From: Arizona desert, where the terraplanes roam.
This is a bolt up design. No drilling holes.

Even If I did the muffler covers, I would use an internal bracket just inside the rear body to mount to.

Right now I'm making three diffuser units. No plans for the muffler covers. I'll have to see after the main diffuser is in place.

Thanks for the comments.
Reply
Old May 26, 2017 | 11:32 AM
  #14  
TRRAPLN's Avatar
Thread Starter
(Terraplane)
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 345
Likes: 13
From: Arizona desert, where the terraplanes roam.
Parts are in!

Parts have arrived from fab.

Test fitting looks good.

I need to prep, paint, assemble and install.

Should be done this weekend.

Pics of finished product to follow.

This is going to be cool.


Reply
Old May 26, 2017 | 01:06 PM
  #15  
Akaviri's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member: 10 Years
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 199
Likes: 10
From: Philadelphia
Estimated cost for one of these?
Reply
Old May 26, 2017 | 11:07 PM
  #16  
R-X-R's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 805
Likes: 4
From: Syracuse,NY
i wonder if it clears an apexi dual catback.
Reply
Old May 27, 2017 | 03:21 AM
  #17  
psyaddict's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 460
Likes: 4
From: Tallinn, Estonia
nice
Reply
Old May 29, 2017 | 10:58 AM
  #18  
TRRAPLN's Avatar
Thread Starter
(Terraplane)
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 345
Likes: 13
From: Arizona desert, where the terraplanes roam.
I'm working on packaging this week.
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2017 | 06:41 PM
  #19  
TRRAPLN's Avatar
Thread Starter
(Terraplane)
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 345
Likes: 13
From: Arizona desert, where the terraplanes roam.
Originally Posted by R-X-R
i wonder if it clears an apexi dual catback.
I don't know anything about Apexi dual catback.

It fits my Borla dual catback fine.
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2017 | 07:04 PM
  #20  
PnoyRx7's Avatar
Super-Pinoy
Tenured Member: 15 Years
Liked
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 20
From: Hamilton, Ontario
damn it would be a bitch to ship to Canada i would assume .... too bad you couldn't do an "ikea" version and i can put it together here as it would take up less packaging lol
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2017 | 01:53 PM
  #21  
TRRAPLN's Avatar
Thread Starter
(Terraplane)
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 345
Likes: 13
From: Arizona desert, where the terraplanes roam.
Ready to ship

Originally Posted by Akaviri
Estimated cost for one of these?
The first unit is complete and installed on my FC.




The product looks like this assembled.






Two units are ready to ship.

$339.00 + Shipping

Please PM me for purchase details.
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2017 | 04:32 PM
  #22  
Lavitzlegend's Avatar
Spin 2 Win
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 318
Likes: 8
From: Iowa
Nice bit of DIY and certainly looks waaaaay better than having to stare at the darn spare tire well... A bit of constructive criticism though. Not sure whether this is actually going to improve rear grip given that design. Doesn't look like hardly any incline until it gets to the back and then a very abrupt angle change. General rule of thumb for high velocity air is to not exceed a 7 degree change from the previous plane to avoid separation. The way it is setup now you might actually be introducing only drag and pretty much no downforce... Your smooth bends on the foam were more promising. I've been thinking about doing something relatively similar out of alumalite at the same time I make my front splitter. A constant angle of attack of 5 to 7 degrees moving backwards and potentially removing part of the bumper and protruding beyond the rear of the vehicle. Just some food for thought here. Good work so far!
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2017 | 05:24 PM
  #23  
TRRAPLN's Avatar
Thread Starter
(Terraplane)
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 345
Likes: 13
From: Arizona desert, where the terraplanes roam.
The difference between my "street" diffuser and race car down draft designs is certainly the angle that creates the theoretical venturi. Agreed, I decided to cover that spare tire well rather than use the 5 to 7 degree rule. I think it visually fills the naked space of the FC rear better.

Also race cars run the diffuser strakes 1-2" off the ground, along with the complete under-body of the car covered. The velocity change of the trapped air exiting the venturi is where the down force comes from.

Not practical for something run on the street. That's why this is approximately 5 1/2" off the ground. It might induce some down draft and air flow smoothing but not like a "race car".

I call it a GT Street Diffuser.
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2017 | 10:51 AM
  #24  
Lavitzlegend's Avatar
Spin 2 Win
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 318
Likes: 8
From: Iowa
I think a well designed diffuser could still have a good effect on a street car and track day car without requiring super low ground clearance or flat belly pan under the entire car. I will be doing a track day next month with no aero and hopefully again at the same track later this year with front splitter and diffuser. Will be interesting to see the results
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2017 | 11:53 AM
  #25  
TRRAPLN's Avatar
Thread Starter
(Terraplane)
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 345
Likes: 13
From: Arizona desert, where the terraplanes roam.
Originally Posted by Lavitzlegend
I think a well designed diffuser could still have a good effect on a street car and track day car without requiring super low ground clearance or flat belly pan under the entire car.
Thanks, that's what I hoped to accomplish with this design.

Buy my GT Street Diffuser!

PM ME FOR PRICE!!!

Last edited by misterstyx69; Jun 6, 2017 at 11:54 PM. Reason: Section is not to be used for Selling
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:36 PM.