Wings - do they actually do anything?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (Boofers)
The really wild part about the majority of the sport compacts with rear wings is that they are FRONT WHEEL DRIVE!!! and gain zero (as in nadda) traction and handling benefit from those billboard size rear wings :lol: :lol: :lol: !
Instant advantage to anyone else racing them...
Hans
Instant advantage to anyone else racing them...
Hans
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,194
Likes: 0
From: Tempe AZ
Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (Boofers)
Larsson your 'wing' looks really good, but that is what I call a spoiler, not a wing. The wings I am referring to are those flat hunks of aluminum or carbon fibre mounted to the rear deck by metal stands.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (Corvette_fetish)
Wings are to create downforce, spoilers are to reduce drag behind your car or improve airflow where they are used, well that's what they were originally meant to do, 99,99% of todays spoilers are more for looks than anything
[Modified by Twin_Turbo, 6:34 PM 4/20/2004]
[Modified by Twin_Turbo, 6:34 PM 4/20/2004]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (Corvette_fetish)
Trivia Question: Do you know why the wings on the 1969-70 Dodge Daytona and the Plymouth Superbirds were mounted as high as they were?
Answer: So they could open the trunk. The standoffs mounted to the quarter panels so the trunk had to open between them. Don't ask me why they did it that way.
I have read that the wing on a top fuel dragster can put 7000 lbs of downforce on the slicks - at 300+ mph.
Answer: So they could open the trunk. The standoffs mounted to the quarter panels so the trunk had to open between them. Don't ask me why they did it that way.
I have read that the wing on a top fuel dragster can put 7000 lbs of downforce on the slicks - at 300+ mph.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,906
Likes: 0
From: Berlin
Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (Wrencher)
The really wild part about the majority of the sport compacts with rear wings is that they are FRONT WHEEL DRIVE!!! and gain zero (as in nadda) traction and handling benefit from those billboard size rear wings :lol: :lol: :lol: !
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,000
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (aharte)
Wings dont work with the Atkins diet as they add too many carbs...rice!!
Unless your going insane speeds, they dont do much of anything. The Superbirds did them on the street in order to meet Nascar requirements of 500 or so production versions sold in order to compete as a stock car.
Brent...
Unless your going insane speeds, they dont do much of anything. The Superbirds did them on the street in order to meet Nascar requirements of 500 or so production versions sold in order to compete as a stock car.
Brent...
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,056
Likes: 40
From: Life is Messy, Bring a mop
Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (Corvette_fetish)
The old Plymouth Road Runner Superbirds had the biggest spoilers I've ever seen placed on any car, but to this day I've never heard a negative thing said about them, or those huge spoilers they sport. All I hear is how much people wished they owned one.
Cool:
Cool:
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (Kevin Mason)
At least that German car is "race" not "rice"!
Anyone have a link to their team's website?
Anyone have a link to their team's website?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,721
Likes: 108
From: Canada
Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (gsfgf)
When I was 19 (way back in '73) my friend's father had a Superbird. We thought it looked down right stupid with that huge wing on the back with a 3 sp auto. Until, we drove at the track in Mission BC., it is amazing just how fast one's views can change. They were great cars, drive it to work and race on weekends.
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,920
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (Wrencher)
The really wild part about the majority of the sport compacts with rear wings is that they are FRONT WHEEL DRIVE!!! and gain zero (as in nadda) traction and handling benefit from those billboard size rear wings :lol: :lol: :lol: !
Instant advantage to anyone else racing them...
Hans
Instant advantage to anyone else racing them...
Hans
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
From: Columbia SC
Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (Jughead)
I agree with flood. As a Cessna 172 pilot with over 500 hours I can say for sure that even a small wing with the correct angle of attack will create enough downward force starting at approx 60mph. And the faster you go the more effective the wing is (more downward force). So what you need is a variable wing.
The elevator on my 172 will cause the plane to rotate and pitch nose up on the takeoff run at 55kts (63mph). You can bet your last pay check you would feel it mounted to the back of any car.
The elevator on my 172 will cause the plane to rotate and pitch nose up on the takeoff run at 55kts (63mph). You can bet your last pay check you would feel it mounted to the back of any car.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (aharte)
Um, no. It doesn't matter which wheels are driven. Neither a ricer nor your vette has enough power for a wing to help with straight line traction. Its meant to improve high speed stability and cornering potential. Actually, a FWD car would benefit more from a wing because their (static) weight distribution is so lopsided.
Wings that function are part of a package, and it irritates me when I see them on a stock Civic, but hey, it's a free country (at least for a little while longer).
Hans
Racer
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 451
Likes: 2
From: Toronto On
Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (aharte)
Um, no. I wing at the rear of the car presses down on the trunk lid. At whatever speed, it WILL have an impact, however small - air is hitting the wing, the wing will be pushed down (not speaking about any aerodynamic effects and assuming they have not installed the wing "upside down"). Stick your flat hand out of the window while you are driving - palm facing the ground - and move your fingers up and down together. Tell me a wing of about "100 hands" has no effect?
The wing - if installed with the leading edge lower than the trailing edge, as it usually is - will press down on the back and make the front end of the car want to lift up, just as if you walked up to the rear of the car and stepped on the bumper. Their front (drive) wheels are actually LOSING traction.
Front wheel drive cars should put the wing on the FRONT hood!
I don't think they need to be worried about getting airbourne due to air under the car, which is the typical eason for having the wing, to create downforce at high speed.
If it's a rear whell drive, ok, it might actually help grip the rear wheels - but it's still UGLY.
The wing - if installed with the leading edge lower than the trailing edge, as it usually is - will press down on the back and make the front end of the car want to lift up, just as if you walked up to the rear of the car and stepped on the bumper. Their front (drive) wheels are actually LOSING traction.
Front wheel drive cars should put the wing on the FRONT hood!
I don't think they need to be worried about getting airbourne due to air under the car, which is the typical eason for having the wing, to create downforce at high speed.
If it's a rear whell drive, ok, it might actually help grip the rear wheels - but it's still UGLY.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,032
Likes: 197
From: Atoka, TN
Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (Jim Shea)
jim, the reason the spoilers on the superbird were mounted on the rear quarters is.....the spoiler was actually anchored to the frame, not the body. and you are right about the hight. they still needed to open the trunk.
chris :cheers:
chris :cheers:
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 171
Likes: 1
From: Rolla MO
Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (cmashark)
I'm a professor of aerospace engineering and I advise our university's formula race car team. We just returned from Detroit where we tested our car in one of Ford's wind tunnels. Wings absolutely have an effect... BUT, as an earlier poster pointed out it's the whole package that needs to be considered. Our car has front and rear wings, a diffuser, undertray, etc. that are all designed to work together. We also adjust the wings for the type of course we are racing on.
So... wings on a Vette? Not on mine, at least not until I decide to drive/race at speeds above about 80 mhp AND until I do a complete design of an "aerodynamic package" to be installed. In other words, wings are not simple bolt-on performance enhancing hardware. A significant analysis of the particular vehicle and the type of driving it will be subjected to is required to do it right without Bubba lurking nearby!
Hank :cheers:
So... wings on a Vette? Not on mine, at least not until I decide to drive/race at speeds above about 80 mhp AND until I do a complete design of an "aerodynamic package" to be installed. In other words, wings are not simple bolt-on performance enhancing hardware. A significant analysis of the particular vehicle and the type of driving it will be subjected to is required to do it right without Bubba lurking nearby!
Hank :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,194
Likes: 0
From: Tempe AZ
Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (rollavette71)
I'm a professor of aerospace engineering and I advise our university's formula race car team. We just returned from Detroit where we tested our car in one of Ford's wind tunnels. Wings absolutely have an effect... BUT, as an earlier poster pointed out it's the whole package that needs to be considered. Our car has front and rear wings, a diffuser, undertray, etc. that are all designed to work together. We also adjust the wings for the type of course we are racing on.
So... wings on a Vette? Not on mine, at least not until I decide to drive/race at speeds above about 80 mhp AND until I do a complete design of an "aerodynamic package" to be installed. In other words, wings are not simple bolt-on performance enhancing hardware. A significant analysis of the particular vehicle and the type of driving it will be subjected to is required to do it right without Bubba lurking nearby!
So... wings on a Vette? Not on mine, at least not until I decide to drive/race at speeds above about 80 mhp AND until I do a complete design of an "aerodynamic package" to be installed. In other words, wings are not simple bolt-on performance enhancing hardware. A significant analysis of the particular vehicle and the type of driving it will be subjected to is required to do it right without Bubba lurking nearby!
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 171
Likes: 1
From: Rolla MO
Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (Corvette_fetish)
My sincere apologies if I sounded too "know-it-all"ish!! :bb I am not an expert in racecar aerodynamics. But I do cringe when I see wings slapped on a car that will obviously have no effect (or worse yet have a negative effect).
:seeya
:seeya