How should I increase front end down force on my 348?

Any close-up pics of your splitter?

DF

 

Here is my home built front air dam.
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It is hard to tell, I think there is a slight stability improvment, mostly the front does not feel as light.
I thinks it looks good, the only problem are speed bumps and uneven roads.
I plan to paint the carbon fiber black to match the lower bumper in the spring.

 

That actually looks really nice

 

I'll take some close-up pics tonight if you want to see them.

Mike
Reading, PA

 

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think I'm going to be sick

 

I had one of the first 348s, and the high speed handing was diabolical above 150mph. The low speed handling was a bit 'tricky' as well.

The addition of the Serie Speciale front spoiler, wider rear track and 18" Challenge wheels changed everything from bad to brilliant!

 

Here are a few pictures of my splitter. I have a sheet of the material 1/2" thick "Starboard" and it has a texture pattern on the top side. I have the pattern for the 348 from the one that the PO had on my car. It sticks out 1" from the fiberglass to where the rounded edge begins so in other words it sticks out in the front about 1 1/2" total. It does lower the front end by 1/2" but when it scrapes there is no damage to the fiberglass and the HDPE splitter will last for years. It is black in color. If anyone wants one let me know.
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I may be... check yer PMs

DF

 

Did you have issues with your car before, like front end wondering at speeds above 80 mph? And what did you notice in the cars handling at speed after you put your splitter?

 

I never felt any handling issues in my 348 but maybe it is because I always had this splitter on the car, my car is an SS with the wider rear track, my car has 360 wheels and tires on it, etc. The previous owner had the splitter installed on the car and I just replaced the same thing with a new piece of HDPE material. I kept the old one as a pattern and have made and sold about 4 of them to FChat friends so far. When I switch back to the original wheels and old tires I do feel a wandering but I attribute that to the old tires that are not in such good shape. I only put these wheels and tires on for Concours events judging and don't drive very far or fast. Someday I'll replace those tires too.

 

Even without the splitter the car shouldn't "wander".

I had a similar "floating" experience when I first got the car. I then took it to have it four corner balanced, right hide adjusted and it was an instant improvement. I track the car frequently and exceed 100mph on the straights easily and there is little to no float.

I did order this splitter just to see if I do get more "bite", and it looks pretty cool...

Get your car adjusted first is my recommendation.


Kai

 

I had two full beer cooler in the trunk one time, that worked pretty good

 

Got the splitter.

Looks very solid overall. I will suggest that you should get a better straight edge...

I'll have to machine it slightly to make it straight. There is some visible waving in the cut. More on the inside (where it thankfully doesn't matter so much) but some on the outside lip as well.

Overall, it'll do a much better job of absorbing any bottoming out of the front spoiler instead of taking it directly onto the fiberglass I think.


Kai

 

You should then consider lightening up the car and upping the spring rates or adding horsepower and upping the spring rates.