mph1972

Do it all the time!

Seriously, I was curious too, because I am really thinking about getting fixed lights, because I am not a huge fan of the buildings that pop up when I turn on the headlights.

LTC Z06

At 150mph and over the headlights will not even come up all the way when you turn them on. I never did a top speed run with them up, but they do make a difference.

99torchredlb

Or maybe in the fog

SFengineer

tried going down a hill (the grapevine in so cal) with them up (but not on) and down. The difference was huge! Coasting for three miles at a 6% grade with the lights up, the car stayed at 85 or so. With them down, it went more than double digits. I hate the pop-ups

C5VetteLS1

However this could have been due to headwind vs. tailwind on different particular days You would have had to known the winds velocity and direction for any accuracy. I'm certain that the drag is in part a factor, just don't know how much???

Bounty Hunter 10

My guess is at 175mph when you pop the headlights, they'll quickly separate from the car. Then the two big holes where the lights used to be will allow enough air into the engine bay to separate the hood from the vehicle. Once the hood is gone, the airflow will build up against the firewall until it punches thru and impacts under your seat. At that point, your seat will eject thru the targa top and you've successfully egressed your cockpit. Total time from turning the switch to driver separation is 1.5 seconds. Built in low tech ejection system!



I imagine you could top out your velocity in 6th gear where drag overcomes horsepower and then pop your lights. You should see a significant decrease in your top speed. You could then move the switch to parking lights leaving the housing popped up to isolate the electrical system. Your velocity should then slightly increase with the reduced electrical load.

vetterlatethannever

dbirdhouse1

it's cancelled out by the coiefficient of cool

graysgarage

I've answered this question.

Corvette_Ed

And you felt the need to point that out in a nine year-old thread after already creating a new thread about it?

donald4972

It's an interesting question, for the science of wind drag, and coefficient of friction, and down force (ie from rear spoilers, at speed).
Lots of wind tunnel testing, I remember reading, when C5 was being developed and engineered. I think C5 set some new standards (at that time) for wind tunnel efficiency, I recall reading. I do not remember reading about how the headlights up, effected the wind tunnel efficiency.


But I'd think it has no 'meaningful' effect at all, except at high speeds. Same thing with rear spoilers, have little effect at slow or cruising speeds. Actually, I read that spoilers, are 'inefficient' at low, or normal speed, simply creating drag without useful downforce. I imagine the same would apply to headlights in the up/on position.

Who runs top speed in a C5 Corvette at night? Unless you are in a 24 hour Lemans type race, I suppose....

Most speed runs, and races, at track events I've ever seen were in the daylight. Drag strips are mostly lighted for night events, (at least the ones I've been to were).

Of course, there is amatuer night, when the drunks and fools are out amongst us.

Don