{
 "version": "2026-10-20",
 "license": "Dimension sheets: CC BY 4.0. Standard and published-size files: CC BY 4.0. Xem Studio's own designs (files_license = Xem Studio Design License): free to use and sell things from, not to redistribute as files — https://xemstudio.com/license/. Other publishers' files: their own license, linked beside them.",
 "slug": "front-splitter",
 "name": "Front splitter",
 "kind": "standard",
 "category": "Car design",
 "group": "Car aero",
 "year": null,
 "question": "What does a front splitter do and how big should it be?",
 "tags": [
  "vehicle design",
  "car aero",
  "rc design",
  "aerodynamics"
 ],
 "aliases": [
  "front splitter",
  "splitter",
  "air splitter",
  "front lip splitter",
  "splitter overhang",
  "splitter height",
  "how does a splitter work",
  "splitter downforce",
  "track car splitter",
  "rc touring car splitter",
  "chin spoiler"
 ],
 "overall_mm": {
  "length": null,
  "width": null,
  "height": null
 },
 "official_cad": false,
 "xem_status": "free-files",
 "les": false,
 "free_files": 1,
 "url": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/front-splitter/",
 "sheet_txt": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/front-splitter/sheet.txt",
 "sheet": {
  "basis": "Design rules and figures from the cited sources; example geometry by Xem Studio",
  "overall_mm": {
   "length": null,
   "width": null,
   "height": null
  },
  "notes": [
   "A splitter is a horizontal plate at the bottom of the front bumper: air stagnates on top while the underside, close to the ground, runs at low pressure, so it produces front downforce very drag-efficiently (HPA).",
   "Because it works in ground effect it is very ride-height sensitive; HPA suggests a ~70 mm static height and not below ~60 mm on club cars, and a rounded leading edge (at least 10 mm radius, 40 mm preferred).",
   "Overhang should match the rear wing so the car stays balanced: ~100 mm for a 200-300 hp single-element car up to 200-300 mm for 1000+ hp cars (HPA).",
   "Used on: Touring and time-attack cars (HPA).",
   "The file is a reference example built by Xem Studio from the numbers above (150 mm overhang (HPA 500-600 hp tier); width illustrative car width.). Sizes the sources do not fix are illustrative; scale the example to your own vehicle."
  ],
  "table": {
   "columns": [
    "parameter",
    "value or range",
    "source"
   ],
   "rows": [
    [
     "Overhang, 200-300 hp, single-element wing",
     "up to ~100 mm",
     "HPA splitter"
    ],
    [
     "Overhang, 500-600 hp, dual-element wing",
     "150-200 mm front, 100-150 mm side",
     "HPA splitter"
    ],
    [
     "Overhang, 1000+ hp",
     "200-300 mm front, ~200 mm side",
     "HPA splitter"
    ],
    [
     "Static height target",
     "~70 mm; avoid below 60 mm on club cars",
     "HPA splitter"
    ],
    [
     "Leading-edge radius",
     ">=10 mm, 40 mm preferred (bottom radius matters most)",
     "HPA splitter"
    ],
    [
     "Splitter endplates",
     "about 100-150 mm tall",
     "HPA splitter"
    ],
    [
     "Downforce increment (Katz & Cain)",
     "dCL about -0.10 with dCD < 0.02",
     "Cranfield / SAE 2018-01-0725"
    ],
    [
     "Model splitter sizes tested (35% scale)",
     "6-41 mm",
     "Cranfield / SAE 2018-01-0725"
    ]
   ]
  }
 },
 "sheet_text": "Front splitter — dimension sheet\nSource: Xem Studio, https://xemstudio.com/objects/front-splitter/  (sheet CC BY 4.0; files Xem Studio Design License, https://xemstudio.com/license/)\nBasis: Design rules and figures from the cited sources; example geometry by Xem Studio\nCatalog version: 2026-10-20\n\nSizes: see table below\n- A splitter is a horizontal plate at the bottom of the front bumper: air stagnates on top while the underside, close to the ground, runs at low pressure, so it produces front downforce very drag-efficiently (HPA).\n- Because it works in ground effect it is very ride-height sensitive; HPA suggests a ~70 mm static height and not below ~60 mm on club cars, and a rounded leading edge (at least 10 mm radius, 40 mm preferred).\n- Overhang should match the rear wing so the car stays balanced: ~100 mm for a 200-300 hp single-element car up to 200-300 mm for 1000+ hp cars (HPA).\n- Used on: Touring and time-attack cars (HPA).\n- The file is a reference example built by Xem Studio from the numbers above (150 mm overhang (HPA 500-600 hp tier); width illustrative car width.). Sizes the sources do not fix are illustrative; scale the example to your own vehicle.\n\nparameter  value or range  source\nOverhang, 200-300 hp, single-element wing  up to ~100 mm  HPA splitter\nOverhang, 500-600 hp, dual-element wing  150-200 mm front, 100-150 mm side  HPA splitter\nOverhang, 1000+ hp  200-300 mm front, ~200 mm side  HPA splitter\nStatic height target  ~70 mm; avoid below 60 mm on club cars  HPA splitter\nLeading-edge radius  >=10 mm, 40 mm preferred (bottom radius matters most)  HPA splitter\nSplitter endplates  about 100-150 mm tall  HPA splitter\nDownforce increment (Katz & Cain)  dCL about -0.10 with dCD < 0.02  Cranfield / SAE 2018-01-0725\nModel splitter sizes tested (35% scale)  6-41 mm  Cranfield / SAE 2018-01-0725\n\nFiles elsewhere (not hosted by Xem Studio; license as stated by the publisher):\n- High Performance Academy: Aerodynamic performance devices for club level cars: front splitters — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://www.hpacademy.com/courses/aerodynamics-fundamentals/aerodynamic-performance-devices-for-club-level-cars-front-splitters\n- Cranfield University / SAE: On the Aerodynamics of an Enclosed-Wheel Racing Car (Soares et al., SAE 2018-01-0725) — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/server/api/core/bitstreams/9b476386-44d0-4c0f-a49e-c3372274d351/content\n\nFree files (Xem Studio Design License, Xem Studio; STEP + STL, 1 parts): https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/front-splitter/index.json\nAPI: https://xemstudio.com/api/geometry?object=front-splitter\n",
 "sources": [
  {
   "publisher": "High Performance Academy",
   "title": "Aerodynamic performance devices for club level cars: front splitters",
   "url": "https://www.hpacademy.com/courses/aerodynamics-fundamentals/aerodynamic-performance-devices-for-club-level-cars-front-splitters",
   "formats": [
    "web"
   ],
   "license": "Publisher's page; dimensions are facts",
   "license_verified": true,
   "hosted": false
  },
  {
   "publisher": "Cranfield University / SAE",
   "title": "On the Aerodynamics of an Enclosed-Wheel Racing Car (Soares et al., SAE 2018-01-0725)",
   "url": "https://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/server/api/core/bitstreams/9b476386-44d0-4c0f-a49e-c3372274d351/content",
   "formats": [
    "web"
   ],
   "license": "Publisher's page; dimensions are facts",
   "license_verified": true,
   "hosted": false
  }
 ],
 "xem": {
  "status": "free-files",
  "sheet_free": true,
  "mesh_price_usd": null,
  "step_price_usd": null,
  "tolerance_mm": null
 },
 "related": [
  "rear-wing-single-element",
  "rear-wing-dual-element",
  "swan-neck-wing-mount",
  "gurney-flap-wickerbill",
  "wing-endplates",
  "splitter-tunnels-front-diffuser"
 ],
 "fits": [],
 "dimensions": "exact (nominal, no printing tolerance)",
 "dimension_rule": "All geometry on Xem Studio is exact (nominal, true size) with no printing tolerance. Where a part meets another part, the object lists its mating features (feature, exact size, what it mates with, fit class: press, slide, run, socket, clamp or designed). Apply your process's allowance to those features only; 'designed' gaps are part of the design and stay as drawn.",
 "mating": [],
 "faq": [
  {
   "q": "Why is the leading edge rounded?",
   "a": "The underside is the suction surface; HPA recommends at least a 10 mm radius (40 mm preferred) so flow stays attached."
  },
  {
   "q": "Can a splitter be too low?",
   "a": "Yes. Low ride height under braking can separate the flow, lose front downforce and cause bouncing (HPA)."
  }
 ],
 "files_license": {
  "name": "Xem Studio Design License",
  "holder": "Xem Studio",
  "url": "https://xemstudio.com/license/",
  "note": "Xem Studio's own design: free to use, print, modify and sell things made from it; not to be republished or redistributed as files."
 },
 "offers": [
  {
   "file": "front-splitter-splitter",
   "formats": [
    "step",
    "stl"
   ],
   "price_usd": 0,
   "license": "Xem Studio Design License",
   "step": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/front-splitter/front-splitter-splitter.step",
   "stl": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/front-splitter/front-splitter-splitter.stl",
   "note": "Front splitter 150 × 1800 mm with an up-turned lip at 0° (illustrative where noted)"
  }
 ],
 "markdown": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/front-splitter/index.md"
}