C6 Radar Cross Section
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
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Re: C6 Radar Cross Section (LymanSS)
In Dave MclCelland's book, he says that a 22 degree tilt was chosen for the radiator after testing it in real world conditions with all existing radar guns. This angle seemed to reflect back the least amount of beams.Is that really true? I haven't read his book yet (was hoping to get it for christmas....but didn't). I'd be amazed and pleased to discover that they actually put effort into reducing the car's radar signature.
Scott
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
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From: San Diego CA
Re: C6 Radar Cross Section (LongTimer)
In Dave MclCelland's book, he says that a 22 degree tilt was chosen for the radiator after testing it in real world conditions with all existing radar guns. This angle seemed to reflect back the least amount of beams.
[Modified by John Row, 7:53 AM 4/11/2004]
Team Owner
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From: Texas
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
Re: C6 Radar Cross Section (LongTimer)
In Dave MclCelland's book, he says that a 22 degree tilt was chosen for the radiator after testing it in real world conditions with all existing radar guns. This angle seemed to reflect back the least amount of beams.Is that really true? I haven't read his book yet (was hoping to get it for christmas....but didn't). I'd be amazed and pleased to discover that they actually put effort into reducing the car's radar signature.
Scott
Absolutely true Scott, MclCelland made it very clear that they were aware that the typical vette buyer needed all the radar stealth they could reasonably provide in the engineering, and radiator angle was a no-brainer, starting with the C4s.
. I knew they were slanted but always thought it was due to packaging limitations. 
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,419
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From: Mississauga Ont
Re: C6 Radar Cross Section (LongTimer)
The C5's plastic had nothing to do with its radar signature. Radar passes through the plastic with very little, if any, bounce. The reason that the C5 was so stealthy was because of the radiator's angle.
In Dave MclCelland's book, he says that a 22 degree tilt was chosen for the radiator after testing it in real world conditions with all existing radar guns. This angle seemed to reflect back the least amount of beams.
As far as paint, it doesn't make any difference with laser guns does it? That's just about all they use in so cal now.
In Dave MclCelland's book, he says that a 22 degree tilt was chosen for the radiator after testing it in real world conditions with all existing radar guns. This angle seemed to reflect back the least amount of beams.As far as paint, it doesn't make any difference with laser guns does it? That's just about all they use in so cal now.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 158
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From: Las Vegas - Winter Vancouver - Summer
Re: C6 Radar Cross Section (mapman)
I live in a gated community that has an over-zealous security force that uses a hand held radar gun to enforce the 20 MPH speed limit. I have been admonished (or cited) on several occasions while driving my ML-500. In my 1999 coupe I have gotten within two house widths before noticing him, he simply can't read me with his gun. Mind you, I was traveling at the "dizzying" speed of about 30 when I hit the brakes. On one occasion he started banging the radar gun on the dashboard of their Jeep Cherokee in frustration of not being able to read me. I hope the C6 doesn't alter my fun of frusterating this guy.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Rapid City SD
Re: C6 Radar Cross Section (Kenny94945)
And when with military steath paint become available? What's that stuff made of? Perhaps a valentine stealth material bra (commission for me?).
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 254
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From: Dallas TX
Re: C6 Radar Cross Section (Bilyk)
The C5's plastic had nothing to do with its radar signature. Radar passes through the plastic with very little, if any, bounce. The reason that the C5 was so stealthy was because of the radiator's angle.
In Dave MclCelland's book, he says that a 22 degree tilt was chosen for the radiator after testing it in real world conditions with all existing radar guns. This angle seemed to reflect back the least amount of beams.
As far as paint, it doesn't make any difference with laser guns does it? That's just about all they use in so cal now.
what book is this?
In Dave MclCelland's book, he says that a 22 degree tilt was chosen for the radiator after testing it in real world conditions with all existing radar guns. This angle seemed to reflect back the least amount of beams.As far as paint, it doesn't make any difference with laser guns does it? That's just about all they use in so cal now.
what book is this?
Great book, good techincal bits about Corvette development. One of the guys did a few experiments at the proving grounds with a radar gun and found that the leaned back radiator reduced the radar range dramatically. They took that info and applied it to every metal bit on the C4 that they could, tilting things up or down a bit whenever possible.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,592
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From: Wheaton,IL USA IL
Re: C6 Radar Cross Section (TTopJohn)
Corvette From the Inside
Great book, good techincal bits about Corvette development. One of the guys did a few experiments at the proving grounds with a radar gun and found that the leaned back radiator reduced the radar range dramatically. They took that info and applied it to every metal bit on the C4 that they could, tilting things up or down a bit whenever possible.
Great book, good techincal bits about Corvette development. One of the guys did a few experiments at the proving grounds with a radar gun and found that the leaned back radiator reduced the radar range dramatically. They took that info and applied it to every metal bit on the C4 that they could, tilting things up or down a bit whenever possible.
Steeply angled surfaces also can fool laser guns. Unlike other guns, lasers only measure distance. To get speed they have to hit you twice within a very short time span. Distance 1 less Distance 2 divided by time yields your speed. To do this accurately, the beam must hit you twice in the same place which is almost impossible with a sloped front end like the C5/C6 at speed. A difference in the spot hit by only an inch or so can give widely inaccurate speed measurements.
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☠☣☢ Semper Ebrius ☢☣☠
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Virginia
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII Veteran
St. Jude's Donor '06
Re: C6 Radar Cross Section (Timmy's C5)
To do this accurately, the beam must hit you twice in the same place which is almost impossible with a sloped front end like the C5/C6 at speed. A difference in the spot hit by only an inch or so can give widely inaccurate speed measurements.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Wheaton,IL USA IL
Re: C6 Radar Cross Section (Scissors)
The police in Maryland got a dead-on accurate measurement on my C5 at 85 MPH from over 1000 feet. Bastards.
☠☣☢ Semper Ebrius ☢☣☠
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From: Virginia
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII Veteran
St. Jude's Donor '06
Re: C6 Radar Cross Section (Timmy's C5)
Nah, this was a while ago. Besides, I really didn't want to fight it in court. There are other things that the police were nice about that they didn't have to be. 
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: CA
Re: C6 Radar Cross Section (Timmy's C5)
There are all kinds of reasons to get a laser ticket thrown out. Not only does the officer have to have dead on steady aim, but the placement of the gun relative to the axis (vertical and horizontal) of highway has to be very precise to avoid something called cosign error. Got my last thrown out when we illustrated that the officer was too far off the highway in the weeds to get an accurate reading.
Michael
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From: Texas
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Re: C6 Radar Cross Section (Scissors)
There are other things that the police were nice about that they didn't have to be.
