Convertible Drag Coefficient
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 638
Likes: 115
From: The High Mountains of North Texas
Convertible Drag Coefficient
Anyone ever seen the CD for the C6 convertible? As far as I have found in a lot of searching, GM doesn't publish it, and maybe they don't know. I know that a Mercedes AMG I was looking at had the exact same CD between the coupe and convertible, but I don't about the Vette.
I can always back calculate it from the top end number and horsepower, I suppose, but if someone's already found this . . .
Thanks
I can always back calculate it from the top end number and horsepower, I suppose, but if someone's already found this . . .
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,276
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From: Ambler Pa.
Anyone ever seen the CD for the C6 convertible? As far as I have found in a lot of searching, GM doesn't publish it, and maybe they don't know. I know that a Mercedes AMG I was looking at had the exact same CD between the coupe and convertible, but I don't about the Vette.
I can always back calculate it from the top end number and horsepower, I suppose, but if someone's already found this . . .
Thanks
I can always back calculate it from the top end number and horsepower, I suppose, but if someone's already found this . . .
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,246
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From: Short Hills, NJ
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
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Seriously I wouldn't take my convertible past 130, be it top on or down, because um, if you roll, um, you're dead either way?
Imagine having to swerve going 130, tires lose traction, you start spining, and flip. Well it was nice knowin' ya!
Le Mans Master<br><img src="/forums/images/ranks/5k-6k.gif" border="0">
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09
As for drag, the vert with top up would definitely have more drag than a coupe, but I'd want to see wind tunnel data with the top down to believe any number. I can tell you that go fast speeds are much more comfortable with the top down as the soft top vibrates badly otherwise.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,246
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From: Short Hills, NJ
I too have been correcting people for years when they've tried to claim that the C6 (and especially C5) covertibles weighed so much more than the coupes. 
I was of course referring to the Mercedes SL line when I said that above. At one point in the model run the C5 coupe and convertible were listed as within only one pound
of each other. 
Various options can alter the exact weights of either body style of course.
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Pro
Joined: May 2008
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From: The High Mountains of North Texas
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2008
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From: The High Mountains of North Texas
I asked this question over a year ago, never did get a definitive answer. I to would like to know, I couldn't even get the top speed number to do the calculations. Perhaps someone will enlighten us. Or we could just reserve some closed course time, run them flat out, and then do the math .
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
I think you'd be surprised how little the difference in weight there is between a coupe and vert. My 2007 M6, 3LT weighed 3350 at the end of eTown (with my fat 230 lb butt sitting in it).
As for drag, the vert with top up would definitely have more drag than a coupe, but I'd want to see wind tunnel data with the top down to believe any number. I can tell you that go fast speeds are much more comfortable with the top down as the soft top vibrates badly otherwise.
As for drag, the vert with top up would definitely have more drag than a coupe, but I'd want to see wind tunnel data with the top down to believe any number. I can tell you that go fast speeds are much more comfortable with the top down as the soft top vibrates badly otherwise.
I haven't really noticed much difference in my trap speeds for my mods compared to others with coupes. I think the CD difference is pretty negligible.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 31
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From: College Park Maryland
It would be interesting to compare top down windows up, top down windows down, top up windows up, and top up windows down. My guess is that the most drag would occur with the top down and the windows down.
Does anyone have a windtunnel handy?
Does anyone have a windtunnel handy?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2008
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St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
No windtunnel but gas mileage does seem to agree with your guess. I get the worst with the top down and the windows down. I guess it's like driving a bucket down the street.
