Custom carbon fiber rear diffuser and splitter in the works....

[SavantAvant]

Gentlemen---- tomorrow I start working with a company on a prototype carbon fiber rear diffuser and front splitter for the B7 RS4...have wanted these for my Avant for a while, and the 2 companies in Europe that used to make a rear diffuser have stopped a while ago, and despite numerous requests, don't appear to have any intention of restarting. There are a couple of front Splitters available, 1 in carbon fiber that is way overdone, and another in grp that looks like somebody just cut it out of plastic and stuck it on their car, doesn't even follow the front bumper line very well. Hoping to make something worthy of this platform.

The splitter would be a carbon fiber version of the subtle one on my Avant (pic below), which I hand-made out of black acrylic earlier this year....(once again because almost no one makes one out there specifically for the B7 RS4, and that one or two I have seen look awful or horribly overdone)

The rear diffuser would not have the trendy "air fins" that a lot of the ones out there do (for other Audi applications) .....I think it's a bit cheesy and looks too much like what all the JDM guys are doing, quite frankly. May be nice on their cars, fine----but not on a German road car, methinks...

This one will be a straight overlay, same shape as the rear inset area of the rear bumper, and will be easily just bonded right on. And I think will make a really nice custom-yet-appropriate-looking add-on, without looking over-the-top.

Since I got screwed on my rear bumper purchase the first time around when I started putting together all the parts for the conversion (a guy in the UK sent me a sedan instead of an Avant, then of course he disappeared, never got my money back, $950 down the toilet... ended up having to spend another 750 to get the correct one for the Avant)...and they are ever so slightly different; so now I've had this extra rear bumper just lying around now for like 2 years collecting dust....so it will get sacrificed as a test mule, because the rear diffuser center inset area is identical between the sedan and the Avant.

This will look sharp, professional and appropriate for the car...not cheesy, chintzy and overdone.

If this turns out as nice as I am planning, wondering if any of you would be interested in a group buy...? Once the prototype is done, I will find a way to post pics, of course.

Chime in with your thoughts please.....trying to see if there is any interest...

Thanks

IMG_20180925_113515772_HDR.jpg

[RAudi Driver]

If your rear diffuser looks anything like that last one, I'm out.

if you can make one that actually has some performance benefits, then I'd be interested. However, I do love the way the car looks stock

[Blackstallion]

I’m a little upset you haven’t made a thread to show off your avant build - btw no roof rails clean AF

Goodluck on this project pal...

[RAudi Driver]

Right, that avant is sick

[SavantAvant]

Oh there most certainly is a build thread.....are you kidding? 6 months in the shop, almost 30K in billed bodywork (WAY more than that in actual--and at $60/hr was a BARGAIN--most custom bodyshops (not "auto body repair shops") want $100-125/hr...and over $8000 in parts? Of course we did a full thread. Hopefully Audizine here (where I rarely ever post...I'm almost always on the QW) doesn't edit this out.....? Take a moment and read the little intro---it will add much to the build...and it's almost impossible to tell the extent and magnitude of work on a cell phone screen---only a larger home computer or laptop screen does it justice, quite frankly....she is utterly one of a kind...none other like her anywhere on planet earth, I can assure you. Not like this.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/153039185@N07/LTi9Uk

Enjoy!

[SavantAvant]

If your rear diffuser looks anything like that last one, I'm out.

if you can make one that actually has some performance benefits, then I'd be interested. However, I do love the way the car looks stock

"That last one"? Not sure I know what you mean.....Ive never built a rear diffuser before..and actually i Myself am not building this one, either....Im working with a shop i Seattle to build the prototype for me, per my specs. And honestly, all it really is going to be is a straight-up, one-off of the factory inset area, just basically overlaid with CF....nothing weird or whacked out or overdone...you'll see.

Now the front splitter, yes----I did design and build that myself out of black acrylic...it's very small and subtle, the way I think they should be...?

[RAudi Driver]

Just read through your build thread. Oh wow, what a project. Car looks amazing. I don't think I would have the patience or attention to see that through.

On the diffuser, there is another one floating around on the forums. You can search for it. I would like one if it was functional. The one another member built wasn't functional and kinda looked out of place on the car.

I'm sure you're going to build a better mouse trap if your past is any indication.

subscribed!

[koolade9]

Holy Shit Rob!! Last time I saw your car you were doing the B6.5 conversion. Way to take it to the next damn level! I'm down for CF racecar bits, let me know how I can help.

[Wah]

In, assuming they would fit the sedan model (but I doubt) and we see sketches of what to expect.

[Blackstallion]

Oh there most certainly is a build thread.....are you kidding? 6 months in the shop, almost 30K in billed bodywork (WAY more than that in actual--and at $60/hr was a BARGAIN--most custom bodyshops (not "auto body repair shops") want $100-125/hr...and over $8000 in parts? Of course we did a full thread. Hopefully Audizine here (where I rarely ever post...I'm almost always on the QW) doesn't edit this out.....? Take a moment and read the little intro---it will add much to the build...and it's almost impossible to tell the extent and magnitude of work on a cell phone screen---only a larger home computer or laptop screen does it justice, quite frankly....she is utterly one of a kind...none other like her anywhere on planet earth, I can assure you. Not like this.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/153039185@N07/LTi9Uk

Enjoy!

I actually somewhat recall seeing this but never the finished product. Wow I'm blown away - INSANE!

Search M Carbon and Driving Passion - below is an idea..

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...-rear-diffuser

[Matt Devo]

I hear the MCarbon one is being resurrected, new mold with better fit and priced slightly lower

[SavantAvant]

I actually somewhat recall seeing this but never the finished product. Wow I'm blown away - INSANE!

Search M Carbon and Driving Passion - below is an idea..

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...-rear-diffuser

Thank you sir.

I've actually been in contact with the guys from both MCarbon and Driving Passion about the rear diffusers.....for over a year now...not kidding.

Every time I contact them, they've told me they're not planning on building them anymore....that they have no plans to restart that product. I don't know why....also, to be quite frank, I'm not "that hot" on the rear 'air fins' thing....I mean, it's "ok", but all the friggin JDM guys and Honda/Kia/ Hyundai/ Subey guys are doing that. Sooooooo.......yyyyah, no thanks.

I was at the CF shop up in Seattle here today as planned.....the plan is to have a CF overlay that will be basically an exact copy of that inner inset area in the back----except in beautiful high-def carbon fiber, with an uber-shiny gloss finish, which of course will help show off the CF weave, and also help repel dirt, dust and water---whereas a matte or flat finish would attract and keep every speck of exhaust grit, brake dust, road dust and grime around, of course.

And yes-----that inner inset area is identical between the Sedan and the Avant.....so this will fit both cars......I already know for a fact------2 guys in the UK that I know with B7 RS4s have the Driving Passion one---and one them has a sedan and the other an Avant---and it was the same part. Remember----- if there's EVER been an automotive manufacturer out there that has employed the old "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality, it is the VAG family of cars, hands down. Having been in the VW/Audi realm since early 1990 and having built all these cars over these years, I can vouch that it is true. (I might be a bit older than some of you gents...which of course could be good OR bad, right? Heh heh)

Seriously----this thing is gonna 'almost' look as though it came from Audi like this----which for me, is practically the whole point...that "OEM plus" look. The guy today said the first prototype should be ready by mid to late November----something like that. And i "might" be able to get them for like 600-650 a piece, if we can get at least a smaller 'run' of them. Somewhere in that range---which would be great----especially considering those other 2 were like 700+ as I recall?

We shall see. Cant wait to see the prototype....

[SavantAvant]

Holy Shit Rob!! Last time I saw your car you were doing the B6.5 conversion. Way to take it to the next damn level! I'm down for CF racecar bits, let me know how I can help.

Oh wait---Nick is that you? As in old-days FRRG Nick? Or wait----is this Blake or Matt? Now I feel stupid.....sorry guys....what am I, getting old? What is that?

I recall Blake had a very worked-over white RS4 that at one point had some crazy colored wheels on it (red?)----looked awesome.

Geez has it really been THAT long? I actually ran into Brandon at the 034 Motorsports Summerfest thing in May---drove down there for a couple days.....the Avant took best Audi in show.....was a lot of fun, was great to reminisce about the old FRRG days.....I tried convincing Brandon to do an FRRG reunion thing. He said he's gonna munch on it...

The Mrs and I went and saw our old house and neighborhood.....all of that. Good times.

[Blackstallion]

Koolade9—> “I recall Blake had a very worked-over white RS4 that at one point had some crazy colored wheels on it (red?)----looked awesome”

[bluebull]

I saw Rob's car this year at the Woodburn, OR Pacific Waterland....very clean and 1 of 1.

I have this rear diffuser and it actually might be functional because it requires cutting off your OEM...creating deep winglets and aerodynamic properties. https://www.driving-passion.com/products

Search this on youtube... driving passion ltd

[blubusdrvr]

Absolutely amazing! My dream car. Wanna sell her??? Ha.

[outsider6661]

Thank you sir.

I've actually been in contact with the guys from both MCarbon and Driving Passion about the rear diffusers.....for over a year now...not kidding.

Every time I contact them, they've told me they're not planning on building them anymore....that they have no plans to restart that product. I don't know why....also, to be quite frank, I'm not "that hot" on the rear 'air fins' thing....I mean, it's "ok", but all the friggin JDM guys and Honda/Kia/ Hyundai/ Subey guys are doing that. Sooooooo.......yyyyah, no thanks.

I was at the CF shop up in Seattle here today as planned.....the plan is to have a CF overlay that will be basically an exact copy of that inner inset area in the back----except in beautiful high-def carbon fiber, with an uber-shiny gloss finish, which of course will help show off the CF weave, and also help repel dirt, dust and water---whereas a matte or flat finish would attract and keep every speck of exhaust grit, brake dust, road dust and grime around, of course.

And yes-----that inner inset area is identical between the Sedan and the Avant.....so this will fit both cars......I already know for a fact------2 guys in the UK that I know with B7 RS4s have the Driving Passion one---and one them has a sedan and the other an Avant---and it was the same part. Remember----- if there's EVER been an automotive manufacturer out there that has employed the old "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality, it is the VAG family of cars, hands down. Having been in the VW/Audi realm since early 1990 and having built all these cars over these years, I can vouch that it is true. (I might be a bit older than some of you gents...which of course could be good OR bad, right? Heh heh)

Seriously----this thing is gonna 'almost' look as though it came from Audi like this----which for me, is practically the whole point...that "OEM plus" look. The guy today said the first prototype should be ready by mid to late November----something like that. And i "might" be able to get them for like 600-650 a piece, if we can get at least a smaller 'run' of them. Somewhere in that range---which would be great----especially considering those other 2 were like 700+ as I recall?

We shall see. Cant wait to see the prototype....

Very interested to see how this turns out

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[VinnysS4]

Hey Rob! It was good chatting you up at cars and coffee a while back. Clean looking car! Still interested in those engine covers. ;)

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[RS4!!]

I'd be interested as long as it will fit on Cabriolet...

[Ravage]

Interested as well..

[SavantAvant]

Hey Rob! It was good chatting you up at cars and coffee a while back. Clean looking car! Still interested in those engine covers. ;)

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Yah Ive been keeping my eye out for ya at the WOS CnC events this summer n fall...have probably been to 3 or 4 more, haven't seen ya yet....did you move?

[SavantAvant]

I'd be interested as long as it will fit on Cabriolet...

I am about 98% certain that it will fit the Cabbie as well.....that inner inset area is the same for the sedan as the avant, as I stated above.....the logic-ethic of it follows that the Audi engineers would have made that inset area the same for the cabbie as well. I mean, we already know that the exhaust setup is the same for all 3 cars, right? Already a foregone conclusion, meaning that the exhaust tip outlets are in the same exact location.....and we already know that they are visually the same, soooo.......

Put it this way----if it doesn't fit, first off I would be absolutely stunned, and 2nd I would immediately refund you your money, if you got in on the buy-in.

[jstahmann]

I'd be interested if it fits the sedan...

[SavantAvant]

I'd be interested if it fits the sedan...

Well sir as you can see from the one post above, the very bumper cover I supplied the company with to build the prototype mold on is from an actual sedan itself, sooooo.....also as I had mentioned in the one post, I have 2 acquaintances in the UK that own ones made by MCarbon parts (which are no longer made)...and one of them owns an Avant and the other a Sedan--and both of them bought the exact same part from them. I honestly do not believe even the cabbie will be a problem----that particular part of the back of the car is identical from all 3 variants...I will put together pics from various sources to demonstrate this empirically.