PDA

View Full Version : Info/pics on how I made my e36 m3 diffuser.



jacobm3
11-20-2013, 12:08 AM
First things first. I'm not claiming this piece to be beneficial to the aerodynamics of my car. I'm not saying it provides down force because frankly I don't know if it does or not. Hell, maybe it even has negative effects. Frankly I don't care because I couldn't tell a difference either way. I made this diffuser as a visual modification because I've always been a fan of track spec looking cars. So if it is beneficial to the aero of the car then great and if it's not beneficial to the aero of the car then that's great too. With that being said lets get on to the pictures and info!

There has been about 5 variations of this diffuser that I ended up making and finally I came up with a design that I thought was the best looking. I only took pictures of 3 of the set ups so that's all I have to show you guys but the other 2 set ups were just small variations of the main set ups.

Picture number 1
This is the first design I came up with. I quickly got bored with it and decided to add more fins.

Picture number 2
This is the second design I came up with. It is similar to the first one but has more fins.

Picture number 3
This is the final design I came up with. It is my final and favorite design I decided to stick with. I took all of the added fins from design 2 out and replaced the 4 vertical fins with thicker 1/4 inch abs plastic fins. I then added 2 horizontal pieces in between the vertical fins. Next I added shorter, smaller fins on the end of the diffuser. Then, finally I added large 1/4 inch abs plastic fins on the outer edge of the bumper to complete the look.

The base plate and horizontal plates are made of 1/16 sign material. This material consists of a piece of abs plastic sandwiched in between 2 pieces of 1/32 aluminum. Total thickness of this material is 1/16 inch. The 4 main vertical fins and the fins on the end of the diffuser and edge of the bumper are made of 1/4 inch abs plastic.
I will eventually make the entire thing out of 1/4 inch abs plastic because I like the look of the thicker material.

Here are some more detailed pics of the diffuser showing what the fins, brackets and everything looks like up close. I apologize, my car is very dirty as it just rained here in California today.

RobertFontaine
11-20-2013, 12:15 AM
hmm... no pikshers

jacobm3
11-20-2013, 12:16 AM
Hold on, working on it right now.

shaft9ii
11-20-2013, 12:27 AM
To each his own man, good on you for making it your own. One thing's for sure though, no raccoon in the road will survive!

chynk
11-20-2013, 12:30 AM
Should just do a mock up of this :drool:https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/401136_647354115314_910526226_n.jpg

hc1001
11-20-2013, 12:32 AM
Very nice work and creativity.

KnudsonsM3
11-20-2013, 12:36 AM
Use a hole saw and cut holes in the back of your bumper if you want AERO.

OP, it looks cool whether it serves a purpose or not haha. I tend to like the 1st variation best.

SmokemhontaS
11-21-2013, 01:49 AM
I'm really diggin it

Redfogo
11-21-2013, 02:09 AM
wow keep up the posts these are some great content! I may just need to make a version of this and then make it out of cf.

jacobm3
11-21-2013, 02:58 AM
Thanks man. I'm glad someone is getting use out of my posts haha.

propcar
11-21-2013, 07:48 AM
Neat! I like the final design too.

Lints
11-21-2013, 09:18 AM
Pretty cool. I also like the 1st design better.

Either way, I respect the fact that you did it right. It looks well thought out, and well put together using proper materials. :thumbup:

1980corvette
11-21-2013, 11:49 AM
where did you buy the sign material?

jacobm3
11-21-2013, 03:47 PM
where did you buy the sign material?

Lolololololol. There was a bunch of construction in my neighborhood and a big sign advertising all the new homes. When they finally finished, they through the sign in the dumpster and I went and got it out haha. It probably would've cost 200 bucks to buy at a sign shop.

- - - Updated - - -


Neat! I like the final design too.


Pretty cool. I also like the 1st design better.

Either way, I respect the fact that you did it right. It looks well thought out, and well put together using proper materials. :thumbup:


Thanks guys!!!

aga080
11-22-2013, 11:07 AM
I like your car in general.

The enkeis were an interesting route with great results IMO and the rear diffuser doesn't look bad at all.

If you hadn't told us you made it I would have assumed it was some über rare cf piece that you paid bank for lol

meatatarian
11-22-2013, 11:48 AM
tres sexy. I'm not a big fan of carbon fiber on older cars, but this thing would look nuts, in the best possible way, made from CF

FlyYellow
11-22-2013, 12:47 PM
Should just do a mock up of this :drool:https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/401136_647354115314_910526226_n.jpg

Which brand is this?

jacobm3
11-22-2013, 01:10 PM
Which brand is this?

That is a Varis diffuser. Dtm Fiberwerks copied their design and makes one as well now.

BnGRacing
11-22-2013, 08:19 PM
Have you looked into replacing the fasteners with t-nuts and button head socket cap screws? That was the 1st thing that popped in my head as the zinc plated stuff kinda sticks out on the black diffuser but they make a whole lot more sense if you're toying around with the design.

jacobm3
11-22-2013, 09:54 PM
Have you looked into replacing the fasteners with t-nuts and button head socket cap screws? That was the 1st thing that popped in my head as the zinc plated stuff kinda sticks out on the black diffuser but they make a whole lot more sense if you're toying around with the design.

Ya, I've toyed around with different hardware. The silver hardware was what I used to have. I have all black hardware now.