Aero ?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 37
From: Stockton Ca
Aero ?
Who else saw the MythBusters that did the "tailgate up/down test"? The difference seemed to be about 5%. A 5% improvement @ 55mph is significant! I'm suprized that they got an effect @ 55 mph, I always thought that 60+ was needed to see ANY EFFECT? I know that many other factors could account for the difference. BUT if the idea is correct:
How high of a rear spoiler would it take to have an effect? I notice when leaves/paper gets into the area of my rear window, it just swirls around gently. I have a 74 w/o rear spoiler. I could make a larger rear spoiler than I had planned for the cars Pro Touring evolution. I have seen some very cool ones made from ss that adjust on racecars.
I just went and eyeballed a spoiler on the rear. A 6-8 in "NO MORE" would not look bad if it was done right. Question is:
Will this raised rear end create a similar effect as the tailgate up, and how high does the spoiler need to be to get a measureable effect? I refuse to do all that just for bling.
Any thoughts?
Rick
How high of a rear spoiler would it take to have an effect? I notice when leaves/paper gets into the area of my rear window, it just swirls around gently. I have a 74 w/o rear spoiler. I could make a larger rear spoiler than I had planned for the cars Pro Touring evolution. I have seen some very cool ones made from ss that adjust on racecars.
I just went and eyeballed a spoiler on the rear. A 6-8 in "NO MORE" would not look bad if it was done right. Question is:
Will this raised rear end create a similar effect as the tailgate up, and how high does the spoiler need to be to get a measureable effect? I refuse to do all that just for bling.
Any thoughts?
Rick
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I saw the same TV. A pickup has a tall cab. The box is a dead air space. NASCAR race trucks use a bed cover and a rear spoiler. They do lots of time in a wind tunnel to make them right within the rules.
NASCAR cars are only allowed a rear spoiler not a wing. Many circle track classes only use a adjustable rear spoilers.
The more you lower the front end of your Vette. The more effect a rear spoiler has. It's always a balance between drag and down force.
Over the years out at the road racing tracks I've seen some very inovative adjustable clear tall lexan rear spoilers on Vettes.
Some day i would like to be driving around with a real GTP type wing
NASCAR cars are only allowed a rear spoiler not a wing. Many circle track classes only use a adjustable rear spoilers.
The more you lower the front end of your Vette. The more effect a rear spoiler has. It's always a balance between drag and down force.
Over the years out at the road racing tracks I've seen some very inovative adjustable clear tall lexan rear spoilers on Vettes.
Some day i would like to be driving around with a real GTP type wing
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 37
From: Stockton Ca
George: The question stands: What would a 6-8in adjustable spoiler 35-55o do? help or hurt
Add in 18" rear 17" front, now what? Is this a step in the right direction?
Take a SWAG.
Rick
Add in 18" rear 17" front, now what? Is this a step in the right direction?
Take a SWAG.
Rick
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,637
Likes: 27
From: Norwalk Ct
There was a great article about aero stuff in a Hot Rod edition a couple of months ago.
I took some of their advice on a coupel of things........slight nose down stance, my front air dam has a pan that sits underneath and goes back to the front cross member.
Not sure what I can do about a rear spoiler though................
Nick
I took some of their advice on a coupel of things........slight nose down stance, my front air dam has a pan that sits underneath and goes back to the front cross member.
Not sure what I can do about a rear spoiler though................
Nick
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
These aerodynamic devices don't do much if your not going fast. Aerodynamic drag doesn't even exceed tire drag until you've reached 40 to 50 mph, and you may have to be doing well over 100 mph for spoilers and wings to have any appreciable effect on lift or downforce. This is because aerodynamic forces vary with the square of a car from 80 to 160 mph, and it faces a four-fold increase in lift and drag forces.
Ivrpool32 is on the right track fitting "belly pans" under vette...ie Lotus...IMO...
Ivrpool32 is on the right track fitting "belly pans" under vette...ie Lotus...IMO...
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Originally Posted by Taijutsu
George: The question stands: What would a 6-8in adjustable spoiler 35-55o do? help or hurt
Add in 18" rear 17" front, now what? Is this a step in the right direction?
Take a SWAG.
Rick
Add in 18" rear 17" front, now what? Is this a step in the right direction?
Take a SWAG.
Rick
Real racing Vettes knew that the flat rear window was a problem. Many of them put a clear piece sloping to the rear deck.
IMO - The 6-8 inch spoiler would help. But of course the faster you go the better it works. Just use clear material so you can see through it.
Ricer
I do have a front pan out to my long 81 Datona nose. This is the second model. The first design failed during testing the first time I exceeded 140 mph
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 37
From: Stockton Ca
George: Having body parts blow off at speed is something I don't need to experience. I do know that above 140mph things can get very strange/dangerous. If a 6-8 in spoiler would reduce drag/buffeting and give me a controlable "meaning not enough to lift the front" amount of downforce on the rear, it would be worth it.
What did the C3s at LeMans use to improve high speed stability?
A ricer puts wings on a car that has 150 hp and will hardly see 100+.
Aero aids on a car that will run 140 and up is just good sense. JMHO
Rick
What did the C3s at LeMans use to improve high speed stability?
A ricer puts wings on a car that has 150 hp and will hardly see 100+.
Aero aids on a car that will run 140 and up is just good sense. JMHO
Rick
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 6
Originally Posted by Taijutsu
A ricer puts wings on a car that has 150 hp and will hardly see 100+.
Aero aids on a car that will run 140 and up is just good sense. JMHO
Rick
Aero aids on a car that will run 140 and up is just good sense. JMHO
Rick
I did some reading a couple of years ago concerning aero aids on racing C3's. The "real" C3's (as apposed to purpose built stuff like Greenwood built later) had basically stock bodies. I believe the only alteration done was a little deeper chin spoiler and they routinely touched 200mph on the longer straights of bigger tracks.
