Any pics of the DHP spliter, or link to the site, sir? Have never heard of them.

Wonder if I can cross=brace the APR on the underside with some aluminium strips or something to make it more "erect"?

I have the APR canards as well, need to look in the box to see how they mount. I will drill holes, if need be. I drilled holes for the APR diffuser anyway and this is more of a track car - function over form is my motto!

 

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...&postcount=455

 

Just to give more feedback, I have the apr lip on my IX and it has taken several hard cone impacts and there is no damage. I understand my lip is different than the diffuser, butI thought I would throw it out there. I have autocrossed my car now about five times and still no damage visiable on anything. I also autocrossed my rsx a lot with the type-r lip and never had any issues as well with hitting cones. So as far as lips go, I think you are ok, I will let others give you feedback on the diffuser portion since I have no experience.

 

Wow - dhp makes some wicked looking stuff. I am sure it has aero advantages as well!

 

You have the right idea. I would pick up some aluminum box-shaped (square or rectangle profile) tubing from McMaster Carr and run it across the center where there is open space. I'd probably rivet it in from the bottom (up through the carbon). You can then also use this structural brace to attach more chassis mounting points if you want added strength. This is the same method DHP and Voltex use for their undertray/splitters. . .

 

Put giant Katana across the front. Kill the cones with honor. Plus you can try out that trick where you cut something and the blades passes right through without collapsing. Just kidding , maybe

 

You could also go another route: Not use a splitter at all since it doesn't have a whole lot of purpose on an Auto-X course. Take that money and put it towards something more functional; like a decent set of tires or brake pads.

But, if you're dead set on using one, there is a company (APR?) that sells universal supports for front splitters. You'd have to drill into your car and splitter to mount them, but they'd give you the support you're looking for.

I'd go as cheap as possible with a splitter, though: if you crack or break that bad **** carbon fiber splitter it'll ruin your day. Cracking or breaking an el cheapo home-made splitter wouldn't be the end of the world (or a drain on your wallet).

Although, I do like the katana idea, too. Just cut the cones and drive over them...technically, you didn't knock it down

 

I auto cross regularly and have a beatrush under panel. I have killed a cone or two with it, but have no worries about damaging the under panel from a cone.

 

You are absolutely correct. No one should ever use a splitter for autocross. Doesn't do squat. Mine is on my car just for looks

And following your logic, he should just drive a beat up Escort, because who would ever want to risk getting a dent or wrecking a crazy expensive car like an EVO?

 

I used to race a '74 911, and occasionally would flog it on AX courses. The gauge of the steel they used to use with the older cars allowed me to punch cones outta the way at will. I remember re-configuring the old Pomona race track (used cones to mark a few places including a chicane) on the out-lap, and I swear I made it 2-seconds shorter. Ahhhh...the good old days.. Anyway, this past Sunday at Fontana, some idiot would always shank a cone in a turn that set you up for the back straight, screwing the rest of us. It forced you to hit the apex way too early, which prolly took 5mph off your speed down the straight. Knowing that the front end of my car (SE) has a big(ger) nose on it, and also aluminum fenders, I didn't attempt to smack the fuggin thing out of the way. I'm willing to accept damage that happens on the track, but not yet ready to damage the car on purpose. Especially when it's just a track day, and no $2 plastic trophies on the line.

 

yeah I wasn't going to say anything. But, every nationally competitive car I have seen (and competed against) uses a splitter and some form of big **** wing on the rear for extra downforce...

Even the beat up escorts

I don't care about boffing cones in the Evo, I have no dents, but plenty of cone marks and scratches from taking out cones over the past several years of autocrossing.

My concern is when I hit cones with this plastic front end (bumper skin and undertray) it just flexes out of the way. But with the splitter and or beatrush undertray, you remove most of the flexibility from the factory design which in my mind, can increase the potential of breaking or bending something.

 

Ok, not sounding defensive, but I would like to auto-x and road race the Evo, for fun more than anything else coz I can't drive to save my life and will get better with time. I just don't want to get the stuff damaged and do what I can to prevent it coz I know it will see some wear and tear, obviously.

Worst case, I will buy a busted bumper and throw it on for auto-x use and call it a day, ya know? But, I wanted to know what people's experiences were and if there is anything I should do and yes, the bracing to body idea came out of it. I talked to Peter at APR and he encouraged doing that as well...

chrisw - you are right. the SM Evos at Nationals last year (esp the red one that said showtime on the side) was running a ginormously huger huge ricers wet-dream wing, I am assuming he believed it served a purpose! The E36 M3 was running a HUGE wing as well.

 

The reds ones that say Showcase Mitsubishi are very fast, right Evolutionary

 

I am waiting for him to reply, see ifhe would catch on...

 

That is my car! It says Showcase Mitsubishi on it. . .

Just to be clear - aero is not NEEDED to be competitive - the EVO that won SM at Nats last year (Mark Daddio) didn't have any aero work at all. . . just a great suspension set up and a great driver.

Titanium and carbon parts aren't needed either - but when you add up a lot of little things here and there you eventually see a real-world gain. . .