Wings - do they actually do anything?

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Apr 21, 2004 | 05:13 PM

#41

Corvette_fetish

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 2,194

Likes: 0

From: Tempe AZ

Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (rollavette71)

Quote:

My sincere apologies if I sounded too "know-it-all"ish!! :bb .

Oh no, I didn't mean it that way! Your answer, in my opinion, actually settled any question. :thumbs:

Quote:

I am not an expert in racecar aerodynamics.

A professor of aerospace engineering is close enough as far as I'm concerned.

Quote:

...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).

:yesnod:

Apr 21, 2004 | 05:50 PM

#42

verskel

Safety Car

Joined: Jan 2000

Posts: 4,143

Likes: 0

Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (Boofers)

'68 thru '73 vettes have a small turn-up spoiler at the tail section.

This is probably the 'max' size you need for street use and it keeps the rearend from feeling 'light'. :yesnod:

Trans-Am cars from the Seventies also have a spoiler that's much more exagerrated. I'm sure the solid rear axle cars need more downforce to keep their butt down. :lol:

I guess GM abandoned this design in '74 because the engines put out less power during the gas 'crisis'. :crazy:

Apr 21, 2004 | 05:55 PM

#43

verskel

Safety Car

Joined: Jan 2000

Posts: 4,143

Likes: 0

Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (Twin_Turbo)

Quote:

ricers nay...german corvette extravaganza?? yay!

Look closely at this pic. Do you see that the 'wing' is almost even with the roofline ? .....On race cars this is the 'max' downforce advantage. If the wing was mounted any lower the effect wouldn't justify the wing.

Also a wing sitting only 2-3 inches above the tail does almost nothing. :nonod: .....the air just flows around it. You almost need a wind tunnel to calculate the true effectiveness.

The alternative ? ......A body fixed spoiler as part of the rear tail section. This forces any air flowing across the body up - resulting in downforce at the tail. :thumbs: .......great for street (again, just examine the '68-'73 cars) :D

Apr 21, 2004 | 06:11 PM

#44

Wrencher

Safety Car

Joined: Oct 1999

Posts: 4,101

Likes: 10

From: NorCal

Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (verskel)

Interestingly enough, the "ducktail" rear spoiler and tail end treatment on the early C-3's was a direct rip-off of the Ferrari 250 GTO SWB. Zora admitted that he loved that look and thus encouraged it's use on the Mako Shark and subsequent production C-3 vettes.
http://www.allsportauto.com/english/...99&zl_idMD=416

Hans

Apr 22, 2004 | 12:26 AM

#45

R 73 454

Racer

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 253

Likes: 0

From: Athol NY

Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (Wrencher)

I HATE wings, on a full blown competition car, that's one thing. But on a ricer? Just plain fugly! At least I can look away in time because I hear the "weed whacker" exhaust tone and rap music bass from a mile off. My kid won't be driving that phony crap around! Disgusting! :U :nono: :skep:

Apr 24, 2004 | 04:14 PM

#46

redwingvette

Safety Car

Joined: Aug 2001

Posts: 3,683

Likes: 201

From: Waterford Mi

Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (R 73 454)

Here is a pic of a C4 with one??
http://www.cardomain.com/member_page...23_19_full.jpg

Apr 24, 2004 | 05:25 PM

#47

zZArAZz

Racer

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 366

Likes: 0

From: Pataskala OH

Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (redwingvette)

Here is a pic of the wing I installed somewhere in the mid 80s. It has about 2 inches clearance from the bottom side and the stock finn. It hangs out about 4 inches on each side but is thinner then the edges of the rear wheel wells. I custom fit the legs to hang over the back about a inch. I never thought it was actually functional but I am sure it applied some downforce at high speeds to coinside with the front lip.
I would say maybe 10% go 90% show..
Should I remove it? Rice? Should I be ashamed?
I think it looks good to the layperson cant remember any negative comments really...

Apr 24, 2004 | 07:06 PM

#48

lostpatrolman

Melting Slicks

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 2,435

Likes: 0

From: largo florida

Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (zZArAZz)

I think it looks great on your car. Not overstated, and looks factory. Pulling the jetskis with the vette is different story though. :bb

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Apr 24, 2004 | 07:36 PM

#49

zZArAZz

Racer

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 366

Likes: 0

From: Pataskala OH

Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (lostpatrolman)

TY, I pulled 2 skis with the 81 for about 10 years mabye 10-20 times a year. I have pulled Quads with it for almost 20 years, and even pulled a 18 foot boat around a few times! I never had any problems at all. And now, I replaced my entire front end suspension and finally decided to go with a 4 link and a fab-9 so the hitch will be coming off.. Sniff..

May 4, 2004 | 12:05 AM

#50

R 73 454

Racer

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 253

Likes: 0

From: Athol NY

Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (zZArAZz)

I won't sugar coat it, I don't care for it! But then again who cares, right? If it makes you happy!!! There was a '76 in town that had a wing that was HUGE car was for sale 4 EVER, the rest the car looked pretty original and clean but this billboard on the back.... I was going to offer him the use of my sawsall! I like vettes stock, most people would probably consider that ho-hum. :cheers: :auto:

May 4, 2004 | 01:14 AM

#51

munday

Le Mans Master

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 5,642

Likes: 1

Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (R 73 454)

hehe trailer hitch hehe

May 4, 2004 | 03:10 AM

#52

Schmucker

Melting Slicks

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 2,508

Likes: 0

From: Wisconsin

Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (Boofers)

Wings needed to be mounted in clean air, which is why they go up as high as they do on a race car. Aerodynamics are fun. I think it was a Ferrari F40 (and probably many other vehicles now) that had enough downforce at 150mph+ that it could drive upsidedown.

May 5, 2004 | 11:31 PM

#53

R 73 454

Racer

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 253

Likes: 0

From: Athol NY

Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (redwingvette)

Quote:

Here is a pic of a C4 with one??
http://www.cardomain.com/member_page...23_19_full.jpg

That is just incredible bad taste... I think I'm going to be :U

May 6, 2004 | 12:01 AM

#54

i885744

Pro

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 687

Likes: 0

From: Atascadero Ca

Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (R 73 454)

I"ve got one on the 385cid '73, i like the look alot, really complements the l88 hood.
http://www.carnite.net/i885744/vette5.htm

May 6, 2004 | 02:13 AM

#55

Quinn_Seipp

Instructor

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 135

Likes: 0

From: Estevan SK

Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (MN-Brent)

Quote:

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...

THIS is why the superbird had such a huge wing, not necesarily to clear the trunk, it was made for performance not looks which is why it isn't rice. I feel a nice low spoiler on the back of any car makes it look good, as long as its not huge like is demonstrated with these large retarded aluminum contraptions.

May 6, 2004 | 09:04 AM

#56

big632

Burning Brakes

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 958

Likes: 0

From: shawnee ks

Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (i885744)

Lota work went into that, looks great. :flag

May 6, 2004 | 01:11 PM

#57

Tele_Man

Pro

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 581

Likes: 0

From: Southeast WI

Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (Wrencher)

Folks... when I stomp on my L-36, I don't need any additional downward force on the rear end of my car. Indeed, I need something to hold the front wheels down on the road! Woo-hoo!

:rofl:

May 6, 2004 | 01:47 PM

#58

Solid LT1

Le Mans Master

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 5,727

Likes: 38

From: Fremont CA

Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (robertmc48)

Quote:

I'm going to gather a lot of hate with this. Most of the C5 guys I have met were not Corvette guys. Around here many of them are bought on leases. They walk into a showroom and point it out. I could have done that too. I took on out for a ride. It was fast but "empty". Wings on C5s don't surprise me at all.

I am going to have to agree with you, the new Corvette owner has little invested in his auto but the monthly payments. I am often amused at the garbage they buy to try and individualize their cars. I bleed for my Vette at times and know it inside and out. That being said, I still marvel at the accomplishment of the Z06 Vette with it's performance, comfort and great mileage. I prefer the company of C1,2&3 owners because we have simular interests, and never complain about lousy service at the dealership because we do our own work! Here is a Vette with a wing on it! The IMSA AAGT cars of Pickett and Rich Sloma also had some wild wings for that era as did the Lee Dykstra designed Dekon Monza Chevys even Camaros sprouted wings that would make a Ricer jelous with envy! Here is on of the best street Vettes from that era:

[Modified by Solid LT1, 11:01 AM 5/6/2004]

May 6, 2004 | 03:08 PM

#59

Z-man

Race Director

Joined: Nov 1999

Posts: 10,643

Likes: 8

From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible

Re: Wings - do they actually do anything? (Wrencher)

Quote:

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

:iagree: :lolg: :lolg: :lolg: