Joined
·
1,569 Posts
The objective was to enclose the rear wheel well openings to expand the surface area for air moving toward the diffuser to minimize drag and increase down force while allowing the rear suspension to fully articulate. When I had installed the BOE Silent Touch (above diffuser exit) exhaust in 2010, I had fabricated a blanking plate for the exhaust cut out on the diffuser to improve aero.
Last year, I made a front aero panel for my Exige (http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f92/exige-front-under-tray-aero-panel-project-122993/), so adding the rear aero panels completes the underside aero upgrades for my car.
For the rear aero panels, I created templates for the engine service panel and diffuser using cardboard then transferred to 0.06125 (or 1/16) inch aluminum 5052 sheets (1 ft. x 2 ft.). The panels were attached with rivets to a backing filler strip and riveted to the engine service panel and diffuser. The diffuser panels were spray painted to match the diffuser color and finish. Total cost of project materials was about $60 for three 1 ft. x 2 ft. 5052 aluminum panels, a bunch of 1/8 inch. diameter x 1/8 inch long pop rivets, and a can of flat black spray paint that matched the OEM diffuser paint finish.
Unless you enjoy car projects that require fabricating and have the skills, facilities and tools for it, the available aftermarket solutions for rear aero panels are an incredible value when you take into account they come ready for installation and require no design engineering and fabrication tools, materials and labor.
While at it, I replaced all OEM fasteners with stainless steel button head hardware for the engine service panel and black steel button head hardware for the diffuser.
Last year, I made a front aero panel for my Exige (http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f92/exige-front-under-tray-aero-panel-project-122993/), so adding the rear aero panels completes the underside aero upgrades for my car.
For the rear aero panels, I created templates for the engine service panel and diffuser using cardboard then transferred to 0.06125 (or 1/16) inch aluminum 5052 sheets (1 ft. x 2 ft.). The panels were attached with rivets to a backing filler strip and riveted to the engine service panel and diffuser. The diffuser panels were spray painted to match the diffuser color and finish. Total cost of project materials was about $60 for three 1 ft. x 2 ft. 5052 aluminum panels, a bunch of 1/8 inch. diameter x 1/8 inch long pop rivets, and a can of flat black spray paint that matched the OEM diffuser paint finish.
Unless you enjoy car projects that require fabricating and have the skills, facilities and tools for it, the available aftermarket solutions for rear aero panels are an incredible value when you take into account they come ready for installation and require no design engineering and fabrication tools, materials and labor.
While at it, I replaced all OEM fasteners with stainless steel button head hardware for the engine service panel and black steel button head hardware for the diffuser.
