Strudul Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 (edited) Yep, another of these threads. Got a lot more free time on my hands, so will hopefully be implementing some of my plans. Was looking for some side steps, but the only option seems to be the Tarmac Sportz ones, which I'm not a fan of (too fat and appear to have been designed to suite the Nismo lip / spats, which is fine, but just aren't to my taste). So (un)fortunately, I'm left looking at DIY options. Seems to be a few different ways people have gone about it, but getting a long strip of plastic, shaping it, and painting it seems to be the easiest / best solution. However, what I'm unsure of is the best type of material (ABS? PVC?) and what thickness would be most suitable. Second question is how to mount. The Tarmac ones stick up and bolt straight in up behind the skirt (green area). Should I fabricate a block to replicate this, space it with washers, or just Sikaflex / self-tapper it straight to the skirt (red area). Couple examples for inspiration, cos I know you guys love my sources: Lexus BMW Lotus Try keep it on topic please Edited May 23, 2017 by Strudul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 Just copy what your sources did. After all, they're the best as they've already done the hard work and no-one on here will know what they're talking about. But seriously, just pick an example you like and copy that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun350z Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 I would personally use PVC fascia board like the Lexus example you posted, as its more flexible than ABS giving it some flexibility against any knocks or scrapes, regarding thickness they only come in standard thicknesses, any of them would be suitably rigid enough to create the side steps/diffusers. They also come in a black finish so wouldn't need painting! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strudul Posted May 23, 2017 Author Share Posted May 23, 2017 Some use wood, some aluminium, some PVC, others ABS, fibreglass and CF, with no apparent reasoning for the decision over the alternatives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strudul Posted May 23, 2017 Author Share Posted May 23, 2017 I would personally use PVC fascia board like the Lexus example you posted, as its more flexible than ABS giving it some flexibility against any knocks or scrapes, regarding thickness they only come in standard thicknesses, any of them would be suitably rigid enough to create the side steps/diffusers. They also come in a black finish so wouldn't need painting! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Excellent advice, cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyM Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 I'm a real fan of the Lotus ones, style wise. Definitely would buy some if they were on the market Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strudul Posted May 23, 2017 Author Share Posted May 23, 2017 I'm a real fan of the Lotus ones, style wise. Definitely would buy some if they were on the market Hint taken, but no promises Couldn't make any that wide for the Z without overfenders / WB. The Elise body curves under significantly, so you can go wide without it sticking out past the wheels and looking silly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyM Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 I'm a real fan of the Lotus ones, style wise. Definitely would buy some if they were on the market Hint taken, but no promises Couldn't make any that wide for the Z without overfenders / WB. The Elise body curves under significantly, so you can go wide without it sticking out past the wheels and looking silly. Well, my zed will have 50mm arch extentions eventually 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strudul Posted May 23, 2017 Author Share Posted May 23, 2017 (edited) All the black fascias seem to be "black ash" wood effect rather than just plain black Edges are white too, so will still need some form of painting / colouring. Edited May 23, 2017 by Strudul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strudul Posted May 23, 2017 Author Share Posted May 23, 2017 (edited) Would this stuff work? Would only cost a tenner for a 2m strip. Edited May 23, 2017 by Strudul 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strudul Posted May 23, 2017 Author Share Posted May 23, 2017 Found a guy who made a splitter out of foamex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun350z Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 Would this stuff work? Would only cost a tenner for a 2m strip. That will work perfectly! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac@TarmacSportz Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 I don't think the 350z OEM side skirts lend themselves very well to flat diffusers, this idea is great for flat bottomed after market side skirts but the profile on the 350z OEM skirts will make it tricky. Interested to see how it looks though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strudul Posted May 24, 2017 Author Share Posted May 24, 2017 The tarmac side steps are pretty much flat aren't they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KyleR Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 The tarmac side steps are pretty much flat aren't they? They flare out at either end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strudul Posted May 24, 2017 Author Share Posted May 24, 2017 The tarmac side steps are pretty much flat aren't they? They flare out at either end. Yep, which I can replicate with a jigsaw. Assumed he meant vertically though?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac@TarmacSportz Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 (edited) No buddy They are not flat at all, they are stepped (two levels) Edited May 24, 2017 by Tarmac@TarmacSportz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strudul Posted May 24, 2017 Author Share Posted May 24, 2017 That 2nd step is raised up behind the skirt so you can easily bolt it on is it not? Or is there another step I'm not seeing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac@TarmacSportz Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 That 2nd step is raised up behind the skirt so you can easily bolt it on is it not? Or is there another step I'm not seeing? The back edge at the tallest point (far right on above pic) is what bolts onto the OEM skirt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 From what I remember when fitting mine there is a fair bit of curve and bend horizontally and vertically, its not going to be a case of buying something flat and just cutting around the edge as far as I remember? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay84 Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 No buddy They are not flat at all, they are stepped (two levels) I think I need these for mine, do they come gloss black like that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valy Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 honestly.... for what is worth ,time is money and it is just easier to buy the parts rather then manufacture them as that will be quite a bit of time consuming plus trial and error etc... if I would be on a tight budget I will just find extra work and pay for them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac@TarmacSportz Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 No buddy They are not flat at all, they are stepped (two levels) I think I need these for mine, do they come gloss black like that? Sure do Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay84 Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 Might even pick them up this time rather than have you transport them to Burton lol 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac@TarmacSportz Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 Might even pick them up this time rather than have you transport them to Burton lol Sweet man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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