descartesfool

In order to better understand the performance differences and goals of the C7 models, could you detail the values for the lift and drag coefficients and frontal areas for the base, Z51 and various Z06 versions and front to rear downforce ratios and total downforce at speeds, Lift/Drag ratios, and why they were chosen?

Kracka

Great question!

RC000E

Nice question....

Some of this was covered at the bash one year...I have some pics of some slides but more is always better.

SBC_and_a_stick

Oh yes, this is a good one. +1

DickieDoo

Yes, excellent question... i always wonder about the aero packages for both the Z06 and Stingray.. and wonder if it's more slippery or is there more downforce... in which case, slower but more stable...

FYREANT

I'd love to see the wind tunnel testing data and videos..

descartesfool

I doubt Tadge would be willing to publish too much in terms of actual wind tunnel testing, but he might be willing to provide some general guidance on the aerodynamic design of the C7's variants. GM has in the past published a wide variety of very detailed SAE papers describing various technical aspects of previous Corvettes, so perhaps now that the question is up for a vote and if enough people show interest, we might learn how they decided to make one model faster than the other by using aero.

SAE published a book I have on just technical papers on the older Corvettes:
The Chevrolet Corvette: New Vehicle Engineering and Technical History (PT-118)
Edited by Daniel J. Holt.

It includes these papers on Corvette aero:

2002-01-3333 Aerodynamic Test and Development of the Corvette C5 for Showroom Stock Racing

2005-01-1943 2006 Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06 Aerodynamic Development

921092 Steady and Unsteady Computational Aerodynamics Simulations of the Corvette ZR-1

So if you want to know more about the C7 aero, vote!

JerryU

There was also an excellent SAE paper about the design of the LT1 discussing the size and weight benefits of the “antique design” pushrod engine versus "modern" double overhead cam designs! They showed the difficulty of making it into a DI, but they did it! (Bought that one. http://papers.sae.org/2013-01-1732/ )

Also agree Chevy is not about to divulge details of the many millions of dollars spent in a wind tunnel! Like asking an F1 team to do the same!
However occasionally you get a hint from Tadge (and others) like “why the Z06 and Z51 don’t have a center air dam.”
Their chief aerodynamicists, John Bednarchik, stated in an article re the Z06 “it was to improve handling,” but no details.
In a more recent video Tadge said what that was! At high speeds the extra downforce the center air dam provided was causing some oversteer. He said it’s "better" to have slight understeer than oversteer.
Those of us who owned modified Corvairs or old Porches understand that comment! That was said as a verbal comment in a video, but doubt he’d want to provide details, especially in writing! Ralph Nader might read it!

descartesfool

Maybe this could go back up in the poll as I think there are many people who would be interested in more info on the aerodynamics of the C7

5thGear

This is the second question in the row to go to Tadge from you Claude. Is this a sign the you will be keeping your Z51 or maybe go to a Z06?

descartesfool

Two in a row but this is actually the third question of mine that has been selected: PTM explanation, oil choice and aero description. If GM actually comes up with a fix for the AFM actuators then that would be great. But I read a post here that people are running at Spring Mountain with the CEL on due to the AFM actuator failures and the school just runs them like that, so not holding out for long.

5thGear

That's easy problem to solve. Get Z06 since they don't have AFM actuators

Maxie2U

I see the question was "ASKED" but was it ever answered? Did not find it in the "ANSWERED" section.

jvp

I got an update from Tadge: he's been buried at work, but this question wasn't lost or forgotten. He hopes to have an answer to me early next week.

X25

Was this ever answered?

CPhelps

Yes.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...c7-models.html

The answers come in a new thread that spends some time in the sticky section. In addition, they are added to the answer thread in the sticky section: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...er-thread.html

The mobile app requires you to switch the tab at the top between "Threads" and "Stickies" so if you're posting from the app it is easier to miss.