Reinforcing Katech Splitter
02-18-2012, 03:51 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
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Reinforcing Katech Splitter
Built my own reinforcement for the Katech Splitter/Undertray. It was deforming the fascia at the track when run at speed. Used 3/8" x 10" Turnbuckles hook/hook style, and eye bolts in an existing bumper hole and in the splitter. Only a simple drilling out of an existing hole in the splitter required.
02-18-2012, 10:02 PM
#2
Genius 
So the facia was deforming even with the facia reenforcement installed? What speeds? Wondering if I need to do this as well (have ZR1 splitter w/facia reenforcement).
So the facia was deforming even with the facia reenforcement installed? What speeds? Wondering if I need to do this as well (have ZR1 splitter w/facia reenforcement).
02-19-2012, 07:33 AM
#3
Burning Brakes
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The fascia was pulling away from the bottom of the headlights. Noticed it after a few hours of lap time at VIR and The Glenn.
Think it is only an issue if you have the undertray installed.
Think it is only an issue if you have the undertray installed.
02-19-2012, 01:52 PM
#4
Race Director
I plan on building my own undertray, both to get the effects of that but also to decrease ride height (splitter is a full 5" off of the ground). I think I'll use your idea, but also put a piece of aluminum channel to bridge the two hangers.
02-20-2012, 07:47 AM
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Burning Brakes
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Another improvement would be to add an aluminum U channel stiffener between the two fasteners that retain the rear edge of the undertray. The current design has a couple of sheet metal L brackets. These allow significant downward flex of the undertray. Adding a stiffening channel across the full width of rear edge of the undertray would tend to prevent this flex.
As I see it the splitter undertray down force is a load spread over the undertray surface and for the most part over the rear half. Perhaps we are getting more than 50# of down force at speeds over 100 mph ( the real down force is a Katech secret for some reason). Then it seems to reason that the structure should be stiff enough so it does not deform if a static load was added to the tray. I think the real down force is nearer to 100# at 100 mph. My test was to use a computer room false floor (see pic) lifter to add a load to the tray across surface center. Very clear that adding 100# causes significant deformation of the undertray and the fascia. So a few small improvements are in order for track use.
As I see it the splitter undertray down force is a load spread over the undertray surface and for the most part over the rear half. Perhaps we are getting more than 50# of down force at speeds over 100 mph ( the real down force is a Katech secret for some reason). Then it seems to reason that the structure should be stiff enough so it does not deform if a static load was added to the tray. I think the real down force is nearer to 100# at 100 mph. My test was to use a computer room false floor (see pic) lifter to add a load to the tray across surface center. Very clear that adding 100# causes significant deformation of the undertray and the fascia. So a few small improvements are in order for track use.
