If your head is spinning trying to figure out what material to use for your performance mod, don’t worry, as you’re not alone. Some of the most common questions we receive at Verus Engineering concern performance materials. We’ll do our best to shed some light on the situation. When you’re ready to move forward, you’ll find options in our online store to fit your application.
What Are Your Performance Material Options?
Whether you drive a Toyota GR86 or a BMW M4, there are various options for performance part materials. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- ABS: A common plastic with excellent impact resistance. ABS is significantly more affordable than top options, such as carbon polyweave, but it’s also much heavier. It’s a solid choice for daily drivers.
- Fiberglass: This cost-effective material is lighter than ABS but heavier than carbon fiber. It’s versatile, easier to repair, and a solid choice for daily drivers who see some track time.
- Carbon fiber: This composite material has an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and superior rigidity. A solid choice for rear wings, it’s less impact-resistant than other options and not as suitable for splitters.
- Carbon polyweave: A top option for its excellent strength-to-weight ratio, durability, and impact resistance. It’s the best possible choice for splitters.
Before you ask us what to use, you can ask yourself the following questions:
- Is the part for daily driving, track-only use, or somewhere in between?
- What is your budget?
- What matters most to you: weight, durability, impact resistance, stiffness, cost, or other factors?
- What specific modification are you considering: a splitter, wing, diffuser, or another part?
Comparing Top Options: Carbon Fiber vs. Carbon Polyweave
Verus Engineering's carbon polyweave splitter on this MK5 Supra offers exceptional durability, impact resistance, and strength.
Whether you’re a veteran track rat or new to the thrills of high-speed driving, you want the best for your vehicle. Let’s say you’re looking to upgrade your MK5 Supra with a front splitter. There are many options available, including the carbon polyweave splitter from Verus, which offers superior durability as it won’t crack like carbon fiber or ABS. It also won’t bend under the car like aluminium. It’s lightweight, stiff, and highly durable.
When comparing splitter materials, consider the following:
- Durability: Carbon polyweave is the clear winner. The combination of carbon fiber with a thermoplastic polymer creates a material resistant to cracking and shattering. On the other hand, regular carbon fiber is much more prone to cracking, chipping, and shattering upon impact, an essential consideration for low-mounted splitters.
- Impact resistance: Carbon polyweave (or thermoplastic) offers high impact resistance and is often used in motorsports, where track debris and curbing are common. Carbon fiber is strong and has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, but it’s also rigid and does not absorb impact as well.
- Stiffness: Although lightweight and stiff, carbon polyweave is slightly less rigid than carbon fiber due to the polymer infusion used in its construction. Carbon fiber is generally better for generating maximum, stable downforce in controlled track-only environments.
- Weight: Both options excel in their strength-to-weight ratio, although carbon fiber has a slight edge.
If you're looking for the best splitter material, go with carbon polyweave. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a rear wing, carbon fiber is generally preferred for maximizing downforce due to its stiffness.
Why Choose Verus Engineering For Aftermarket Parts?
Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 with a durable, downforce-producing carbon polyweave splitter from Verus.
Verus gives you options to fit your budget and specific application. Whether you choose a hard plastic or carbon fiber option, you can rest assured that all our parts are meticulously designed and thoroughly tested to ensure optimal performance. Just because you’re going with a less expensive solution doesn’t mean it won’t perform. We stand behind everything we sell and have the results to back it up.
Find Performance Parts To Match Your Application From Verus
Catering to auto enthusiasts worldwide, Verus Engineering offers some of the best performance parts available. We utilize a wide range of materials and strive to provide options that match your application and budget. Browse our marketplace today and consider our complete aero kits to enjoy balanced, predictable performance.
Material Matters: Explore Differences Between Carbon Polyweave, Carbon Fiber, And Other Performance Options