Warning: 3M tape is not enough for some front splitters

[radiantm3]

What happened to my 2 month old $2000 Challenge GT3 front splitter:



First of all I want to state that no one is to blame for this but me (for the most part). I got this part about 2 months ago and we installed it using 4 factory screws and the 3M tape that was already applied to it. After a few weeks of driving I noticed one side of the double-sided tape start to come a bit loose in some areas. I assumed that it might have been caused by the clearbra install I had done to the splitter about an hour after we installed it. I thought maybe some of the soapy liquid from the clear bra might have dripped into the cracks and loosened things up.

I took the car to Laguna Seca a few days later and by the end of the day half the splitter was hanging off. The other side was stuck on pretty good still so I just drove home without removing it. When I got home I removed the splitter and removed all of the double-sided tape. This time, we completely prepped the splitter and the bottom of my bumper with adhesion promoter before applying a new strip of tape. When we were done, I made sure to let the car sit for a good 1.5 hours and then drove it home (taking only local streets at no more than 40mph) to let it sit for another day.

Splitter seemed fine and stuck well for the next few weeks. Then I had a track day at Thunderhill which is about a 2.5 hour drive on the freeway. After that drive, I noticed the splitter starting to come loose again in some areas. I did my first session in the morning and checked the splitter in the paddock. Looked no worse than it was when I got there so I left it on. Halfway through my second session I started to hear something rubbing occasionally. At first I thought it was just cars around me because I only really noticed it when I was passing cars. But when I was exiting the track after the session I could hear that it was definitely me dragging something on the ground. I pull into the paddock and the splitter is hanging from the car.

So I know the guys at Challenge have been recommending that if you track the car, you should add more screws to hold the splitter on, but for that to work, the bolts would have to be toward the front of the splitter and I just don't feel right about drilling into the front area of my bumper. Also the splitter kept coming loose just from freeway driving. On the plus side, this diffuser is obviously producing downforce.

So in retrospect, I should have went with glue instead of the 3M tape. I think that would have been the better solution. Again, I'm not trying to blame anyone for what happened but me. I just figured I'd share my mistake with the community so you don't end up destroying an expensive diffuser yourself.

[Denk]

Ouch, that stings a little. Tape makes it easy to replace but with the wind force exerted on decent size lips, spoilers and splitters I'd go hardcore...Betalink it!

[Grail05]

OUCH

[armyav8tor]

That sucks, sorry to hear. If it makes you feel any better, your car looked just fine without the front lip.

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by armyav8tor

That sucks, sorry to hear. If it makes you feel any better, your car looked just fine without the front lip.

Well the lip was functional too (had brake cooling ducts).

[Kwando]

Ouch. Can it be repaired and refinished?

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by Kwando

Ouch. Can it be repaired and refinished?

I have no idea to be honest. The front and top of the diffuser is perfectly fine (clear bra'd). It's the bottom that has a hole in it.

[SchnellM3]

Dam, that's a pretty big hit


I'd really put the screws in the next time, it will come off much easier than if you glue it and decide to switch it up in the future.... Just have someone else do it while you're not looking, that's what I did and I was in the same boat as you....

[Endless619]

Originally Posted by SchnellM3

Dam, that's a pretty big hit


I'd really put the screws in the next time, it will come off much easier than if you glue it and decide to switch it up in the future.... Just have someone else do it while you're not looking, that's what I did and I was in the same boat as you....

Agreed. I used 8 screws and 3m tape and its like cemented on. Never worry even when I scrape. lol just scuffs up the bottom and doesn't move an inch. So recommend more screws and same tape and you will be fine. I wouldn't glue.

[Robmaster]

for a functional lip --- Beta Link! it will never come off...

[THE TECH]

That sucks man.

[M3PO]

I use a few large dabs of silicone in key locations. It can be removed if needed but the silicone is VERY strong while being a bit flexible (good when you scrape it).

[Nate@IND]

Sorry to see that

Send me some more photo by pm. Might be able to repair it.

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by Nate@IND

Sorry to see that

Send me some more photo by pm. Might be able to repair it.

Will do. Thanks Nate.

[THE TECH]

Fiberglass would repair just not sure if you would want it after that. Maybe use as a track only piece?

[Bweitz1]

I'm about to order my 3rd challenge cf front lip. Cracked both pretty bad, was able to fix the first one and paint it but like the cf so going to order a new challenge lip ASAP.. I personally think its the best lip on the market..

[blackmist222777]

i ended up placing one screw in the front along with the 3M tape and regular screws. i have a thill event next month. hopefully that holds well enough. i have been checking it and it seems as strong as the day i installed it. guess well see.