Cheap alternative..
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 436
Likes: 1
From: Surrey, England.
'00 Mercedes 430/55 clk cabriolet
Cheap alternative..
Hi Guys,
I haven't posted here for a while so I'm sharing a simple cheap mod.
My good friend Rob (he's on the C43 Forum: Raw1879) has been going to the 'Ring' for the last few years, each time documenting his experience.
For the last 3 years I've wanted to join him, but through one thing or another I've had to put it on hold... But it looks like this year I'm able to go!..
Some of you may remember my car as the 1st UK car to have a 55AMG transplant many years ago. Aside from the body work she's mechanically sound and running strong with 120k on the clock (88k over the last 10yrs).
Back in 2011 I crashed the car (on black ice) I had a Brabus chin kit with a Custom Reiger front splitter.. Recently I've wanted another to combat the front lift at speed (I have a small rear spoiler and no front splitter) although I'm used to it. Going to the Nurburgring and a ride in Raw1879's car confirmed I needed one. I searched but wasn't able to find anything similar.
The guy that tuned my car worked for a team in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) a very competitive saloon car series in the UK. He told me that all the race cars had their front splitters made from plywood.
Raw1879 made one for his car after I told him (he didn't need much convincing). When I saw how good his car looked I got him to make one for me too.
Because wood is so malleable you can shape and replace it easily. Here's my 1st design:
I haven't posted here for a while so I'm sharing a simple cheap mod.
My good friend Rob (he's on the C43 Forum: Raw1879) has been going to the 'Ring' for the last few years, each time documenting his experience.
For the last 3 years I've wanted to join him, but through one thing or another I've had to put it on hold... But it looks like this year I'm able to go!..
Some of you may remember my car as the 1st UK car to have a 55AMG transplant many years ago. Aside from the body work she's mechanically sound and running strong with 120k on the clock (88k over the last 10yrs).
Back in 2011 I crashed the car (on black ice) I had a Brabus chin kit with a Custom Reiger front splitter.. Recently I've wanted another to combat the front lift at speed (I have a small rear spoiler and no front splitter) although I'm used to it. Going to the Nurburgring and a ride in Raw1879's car confirmed I needed one. I searched but wasn't able to find anything similar.
The guy that tuned my car worked for a team in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) a very competitive saloon car series in the UK. He told me that all the race cars had their front splitters made from plywood.
Raw1879 made one for his car after I told him (he didn't need much convincing). When I saw how good his car looked I got him to make one for me too.
Because wood is so malleable you can shape and replace it easily. Here's my 1st design:
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 436
Likes: 1
From: Surrey, England.
'00 Mercedes 430/55 clk cabriolet
It started raining so we quickly mounted it!.. I'm happy so far as a quick test proves it works.. 
Last edited by Pauljay; May 3, 2017 at 05:03 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,427
Likes: 100
From: Florida
2002 CLK 55 AMG cabriolet Eurocharged
Looks Marvelous Mate.
The perfect mold too if you wish to markup in carbon fiber or fiber glass.
Wood adds a bit of weight but balsa for molds might make you some Quid or New York $Jack.
If you get serious about lighter materials there is a carbon fiber glass composite that is comparable to dura stress used to make a lot of clone AMG and Black Series clones.
Dear Mr PaulJay send me a PM if you start molding these. Keep it up!!!
Cheers
The perfect mold too if you wish to markup in carbon fiber or fiber glass.
Wood adds a bit of weight but balsa for molds might make you some Quid or New York $Jack.
If you get serious about lighter materials there is a carbon fiber glass composite that is comparable to dura stress used to make a lot of clone AMG and Black Series clones.
Dear Mr PaulJay send me a PM if you start molding these. Keep it up!!!
Cheers
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 436
Likes: 1
From: Surrey, England.
'00 Mercedes 430/55 clk cabriolet
Hey thanks GatorMB!
I have thought about using different materials but I need something quite durable, easy to replace and cheap.
If the fiber composite material can flex and scrape without too much damage I'd be interested.
Here in the UK we have speed humps on most of the city roads. They're supposed to be regulated but differ quite widely in height and angle so lowered car take a beating!
I've done a little reading about air pressure and drag on splitters. It seems the best results are had between 2-4 inches depending on the shape of the front of the car (mine is 2in at the peak and 4in at the recessed sides). Also the best shape is a half moon (although you can get good results from angles) which means no edges, so my corners will be rounded off and trimmed more before I hit the 'Ring'.
I have thought about using different materials but I need something quite durable, easy to replace and cheap.
If the fiber composite material can flex and scrape without too much damage I'd be interested.
Here in the UK we have speed humps on most of the city roads. They're supposed to be regulated but differ quite widely in height and angle so lowered car take a beating!
I've done a little reading about air pressure and drag on splitters. It seems the best results are had between 2-4 inches depending on the shape of the front of the car (mine is 2in at the peak and 4in at the recessed sides). Also the best shape is a half moon (although you can get good results from angles) which means no edges, so my corners will be rounded off and trimmed more before I hit the 'Ring'.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,946
Likes: 21
From: So Cal
CLK Cabrio
Looks great, I would attach it to some points on the frame. Otherwise, it will rip off your bumper at high speeds. you should be able to stand on the front of it. If it's not building up that much downforce it's not doing anything.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 436
Likes: 1
From: Surrey, England.
'00 Mercedes 430/55 clk cabriolet
Cheers guys.
Sick430,
I was thinking about splitter rods tied in from behind to keep away from the 'modded' look. I've tested it at speed and on different bends cornering at speed and it's held on. It's fitted securely via several bolts to the bumper which in turn is hung by the bumper bolts.
It does work, you can feel it stabilizing the car and it holds it's line in the faster turns.
A1EK,
I forgot about the front of your car. I'll try that method next time if it's as cheap.
Sick430,
I was thinking about splitter rods tied in from behind to keep away from the 'modded' look. I've tested it at speed and on different bends cornering at speed and it's held on. It's fitted securely via several bolts to the bumper which in turn is hung by the bumper bolts.
It does work, you can feel it stabilizing the car and it holds it's line in the faster turns.
A1EK,
I forgot about the front of your car. I'll try that method next time if it's as cheap.
