The Mustang Forum for Track & Racing Enthusiasts

Taking your Mustang to an open track/HPDE event for the first time? Do you race competitively? This forum is for you! Log in to remove most ads.

  • Welcome to the Ford Mustang forum built for owners of the Mustang GT350, BOSS 302, GT500, and all other S550, S197, SN95, Fox Body and older Mustangs set up for open track days, road racing, and/or autocross. Join our forum, interact with others, share your build, and help us strengthen this community!

Re: Front Wheel Spats For 2012 Boss with WC Splitter

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

So what do these small spats between the splitter and wheel well actually do? And is there any reason to do this on a Boss with a front splitter on it? I was looking at mine and there are two screws just inside the wheel well that could be used as attachment points and then secure it to the edge of the WC or LS splitter. In the photos I'm referring the flat piece facing forward and not the winglets on the sides. Thoughts?

011614_8.jpg
011614_9.jpg
 

302 Hi Pro

Boss 302 - Racing Legend to Modern Muscle Car
2,009
441
Southeast
Re: Front Wheel Spats

Well I'm not an areo specialist, but I suspect this improves air flow and reduces a high pressure area just in front of the tire, and reduces front lift.

I also see a wheel well extension on the front fender in pic 2. Looks nice and makes me wonder if something like this could be installed on my Boss when the LS splitter is installed?

Then again, I won't be running my Boss above the 155-160 MPH speed limiter.

But if someone is planning on making a 200 MPH run in the Texas Mile, this is worth a second look.

Enjoy,
Dave
302 HP
 
Re: Front Wheel Spats

They reduce the drag the tire causes, mostly during high speed turns (since the tire will poke out) but also channels the air up and over the tire coming off the splitter so it doesn't vortex inside the wheel well (coming off the splitter and onto the lower part of the tire and into the well) and create lift.

I could be wrong but I think "spats" would be foward facing and winglets would be parallel to the car like in the above pics (combo winglets spat). They do slightly different things.

My baby winglets are supposed to create more air attachment on the splitter. Works much the same way like endplates on a wing. Also those baby diffusers create turbulence at the corners of the nose to reduce drag.

16402486000_2fdad05a3a_h.jpg

Here's more of a true spat (if I'm getting the terms correct) without the sidebars/winglets
10947288_909699715720944_7110249854904034244_n.jpg
 

302 Hi Pro

Boss 302 - Racing Legend to Modern Muscle Car
2,009
441
Southeast
Re: Front Wheel Spats

DG:

On the second pic, what is that second smaller hose above the brake cooling hose? Is this a secondary caliper brake cooling hose?

Interesting stuff. We need a BMO day at the JPL wind tunnel facility!

Thanks,
Dave
 
Re: Front Wheel Spats

Yeah. That second photo is from someone elses FB post. Let me find the link. The guy made them and I ordered some aluminum to follow his design.

Another benefit of the fender spat is to protect the tire from flying debris that could cause puncture.
 

Grant 302

basic and well known psychic
Re: Front Wheel Spats

The spat alone does a number of things as mentioned in various posts above, but I believe the main reason to use it in conjunction with a splitter is to increase the pressure on the splitter. The closed end 'winglet' does same but also turns the bypassing air upward for more of a downforce component.

The open winglet like Darren's moves up and reduces the vortex that comes off the edge of the splitter. It's less of a drag penalty than the spat only with the splitter.
 
Re: Front Wheel Spats

Grant 302 said:
The spat alone does a number of things as mentioned in various posts above, but I believe the main reason to use it in conjunction with a splitter is to increase the pressure on the splitter. The closed end 'winglet' does same but also turns the bypassing air upward for more of a downforce component.
Have you done this on your GT yet?

I was looking at this photo last night and noticing how much my front tires are visible down low by the splitter.

GBM52478_zpsca617ff9.jpg

The Z/28 also has them.

maxresdefault.jpg
 
Re: Front Wheel Spats

Yep. And when you turn the whole tire is out. Its basically a plow through the air, drawing it into the well and creating lift. I mean aero there is probably only a fractionally improvement but .3 tenths is a big deal to qualifying times! Lol

Here's another pic from John's fab'd spats[1]

10967400_909649459059303_876527062_o.jpg


[1] https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=909699715720944&set=pcb.1544167659166825&type=1&relevant_count=3
 

Grant 302

basic and well known psychic
Re: Front Wheel Spats

NFSBOSS said:
Have you done this on your GT yet?

I was looking at this photo last night and noticing how much my front tires are visible down low by the splitter.

Yes and no. I made a set that matches the width of the base Boss splitter. And that was great for the stock Brembo 255s up front. Didn't see the point in running them with 275s or 305s and have the material to cut some larger ones...just haven't gotten around to that project.

My only caution is that I would make sure your rear aero is 'better' than the front or you can be aero-loose at speed. I don't view that as 'safe' at 145+ mph!
 
Re: Front Wheel Spats

Grant 302 said:
Yes and no. I made a set that matches the width of the base Boss splitter. And that was great for the stock Brembo 255s up front. Didn't see the point in running them with 275s or 305s and have the material to cut some larger ones...just haven't gotten around to that project.

My only caution is that I would make sure your rear aero is 'better' than the front or you can be aero-loose at speed. I don't view that as 'safe' at 145+ mph!

What kind of rear aero are you talking about? Like a real rear diffuser?
 
Re: Front Wheel Spats

Grant 302 said:
My only caution is that I would make sure your rear aero is 'better' than the front or you can be aero-loose at speed. I don't view that as 'safe' at 145+ mph!
It would be easy and inexpensive enough that if it did throw off the balance they could be removed and discarded. There are several high speed sweepers, 90+ mph, at Thunderhill and it would be interesting to see if I could feel a difference.
 

Grant 302

basic and well known psychic
Re: Front Wheel Spats

^Do it. Looks better too.

Sean said:
What kind of rear aero are you talking about? Like a real rear diffuser?

I was thinking spoiler or wing. But a real working diffuser or rear valence mods wouldn't hurt.
 
Re: Front Wheel Spats

I just got an aluminum sheet that mr. Memmer used in his. And it's quite heavy. He said it works out to a couple pounds per spat. Too much!!

I'm going to look into some kind of "splitter grade" plastic that is flexible enough to screw/rivet into the inner fender lip. What do you think?
 
Re: Front Wheel Spats

06mach1 said:
This from McMaster-Carr would probably work.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#8586k161/=w3uh3o

Or find a couple of thick black plastic mud flaps and turn them upside down!

Cool. Thanks. I ordered a few 12"x24" sheets. I'm going to make a cardstock template first though.
I guess the one advantage to the metal is you can make right angles in it, which John did. I'll have to think about that junction with the splitter some.
Maybe I use the aluminum for that joint only.
 
Re: Front Wheel Spats

You could just use a couple of L brackets to hold the two pieces together. If using aluminum I would make mine like Johns but place the forward piece under the splitter for a cleaner look. Drill two holes and two bolts to hold them together. Or you could use 3M VHB velcro but it's pretty thick. I'm sure it would hold at 150 mph though. ;D
 

TMO Supporting Vendors

Top