ZR1 rear wing Hi/Low Interchangeable ???
#1
Advanced
Thread Starter
ZR1 rear wing Hi/Low Interchangeable ???
I have a ZR1 ordered with all performance packages that will come from the factory with a high rear wing. I will be using the car on numerous racetracks across the USA and for the most part, the high wing will be preferred. I reached out to my dealer to ask if the low wing is available to be purchased as some tracks that I will be running at such as Daytona the low wing would be preferred. I have posted his response below but I would like the members feedback on the interchangeability of the two, and if there could or would be any adverse handling issues to be expected from the heavier suspension components used in the high wing set up no longer having that downforce upon them when the low wing would be in place. Dealer Response Below
So far what I have found on the spoiler is some basic information that may help.
The low spoiler is available as a replacement part and looks like it may be mounted the same way as the high spoiler but I am verifying how the mounting is accessed because typically the bumper needs to be removed to get to the mounts so it may not be an easy swap.
The standard setup has 20% less drag and only puts high-pressure downforce creation at the leading edge of the rear spoiler, the high wing puts high to mid-pressure downforce creation over a majority of its surface and has 5 degrees of adjustability.
As far as racing differences with the spoiler, I have not been able to get in contact with anybody that can give me a good answer.
So far what I have found on the spoiler is some basic information that may help.
The low spoiler is available as a replacement part and looks like it may be mounted the same way as the high spoiler but I am verifying how the mounting is accessed because typically the bumper needs to be removed to get to the mounts so it may not be an easy swap.
The standard setup has 20% less drag and only puts high-pressure downforce creation at the leading edge of the rear spoiler, the high wing puts high to mid-pressure downforce creation over a majority of its surface and has 5 degrees of adjustability.
As far as racing differences with the spoiler, I have not been able to get in contact with anybody that can give me a good answer.
#2
Drifting
I’m pretty sure they are interchangeable. You will need the shorter attachments stands with the smaller wing. I don’t see any reason to remove the rear bumper cover. Also, might want to consider remove the front end plates to better balance the car.
#3
Advanced
OK...I've posted this elsewhere, and do NOT want it to be a definitive answer, but I wanted to share what I know.
The wings are physically interchangeable....they attach to the same points on the rear decklid. And while I personally believe that *ALL* ZR1s have the internal bracing connecting the wing to the frame, due to manufacturing efficiencies and possible lawsuits if one attached a high wing to a "low wing car" (which didn't have the bracing) and the car was subsequently damaged....others believe only the high wing cars have the bracing. In your case, you ordered a high wing, so it's a "don't care"...
Here's where it gets interesting....a good friend who had a press pass to the Detroit Auto show in January got about two minutes to chat directly with Tadge about wing interchangeability. And I found what Tadge told him somewhat surprising....Tadge indicated that the front "underwing" is also different between a high wing and a low wing car, and should also be swapped out when changing the rear wing, or the car would "become unbalanced"...
Now that cars are ending up in customer hands, we can verify the accuracy of the statement, but my friend is an accomplished track person with a significant car collection, and knows what he was told in no uncertain terms...
The wings are physically interchangeable....they attach to the same points on the rear decklid. And while I personally believe that *ALL* ZR1s have the internal bracing connecting the wing to the frame, due to manufacturing efficiencies and possible lawsuits if one attached a high wing to a "low wing car" (which didn't have the bracing) and the car was subsequently damaged....others believe only the high wing cars have the bracing. In your case, you ordered a high wing, so it's a "don't care"...
Here's where it gets interesting....a good friend who had a press pass to the Detroit Auto show in January got about two minutes to chat directly with Tadge about wing interchangeability. And I found what Tadge told him somewhat surprising....Tadge indicated that the front "underwing" is also different between a high wing and a low wing car, and should also be swapped out when changing the rear wing, or the car would "become unbalanced"...
Now that cars are ending up in customer hands, we can verify the accuracy of the statement, but my friend is an accomplished track person with a significant car collection, and knows what he was told in no uncertain terms...
#4
Le Mans Master
I was curious about how it mounts under the bumper, so I looked it up. There was option to select between wing types or RPOs (ZTK or no ZTK). So I'd assume this bracket is the same for both packages.
#5
Originally Posted by pibohmark
I have a ZR1 ordered with all performance packages that will come from the factory with a high rear wing. I will be using the car on numerous racetracks across the USA and for the most part, the high wing will be preferred. I reached out to my dealer to ask if the low wing is available to be purchased as some tracks that I will be running at such as Daytona the low wing would be preferred. I have posted his response below but I would like the members feedback on the interchangeability of the two, and if there could or would be any adverse handling issues to be expected from the heavier suspension components used in the high wing set up no longer having that downforce upon them when the low wing would be in place. Dealer Response Below
So far what I have found on the spoiler is some basic information that may help.
The low spoiler is available as a replacement part and looks like it may be mounted the same way as the high spoiler but I am verifying how the mounting is accessed because typically the bumper needs to be removed to get to the mounts so it may not be an easy swap.
The standard setup has 20% less drag and only puts high-pressure downforce creation at the leading edge of the rear spoiler, the high wing puts high to mid-pressure downforce creation over a majority of its surface and has 5 degrees of adjustability.
As far as racing differences with the spoiler, I have not been able to get in contact with anybody that can give me a good answer.
So far what I have found on the spoiler is some basic information that may help.
The low spoiler is available as a replacement part and looks like it may be mounted the same way as the high spoiler but I am verifying how the mounting is accessed because typically the bumper needs to be removed to get to the mounts so it may not be an easy swap.
The standard setup has 20% less drag and only puts high-pressure downforce creation at the leading edge of the rear spoiler, the high wing puts high to mid-pressure downforce creation over a majority of its surface and has 5 degrees of adjustability.
As far as racing differences with the spoiler, I have not been able to get in contact with anybody that can give me a good answer.
#6
Le Mans Master
OP, the wings are interchangeable.
#7
Drifting
OK...I've posted this elsewhere, and do NOT want it to be a definitive answer, but I wanted to share what I know.
The wings are physically interchangeable....they attach to the same points on the rear decklid. And while I personally believe that *ALL* ZR1s have the internal bracing connecting the wing to the frame, due to manufacturing efficiencies and possible lawsuits if one attached a high wing to a "low wing car" (which didn't have the bracing) and the car was subsequently damaged....others believe only the high wing cars have the bracing. In your case, you ordered a high wing, so it's a "don't care"...
Here's where it gets interesting....a good friend who had a press pass to the Detroit Auto show in January got about two minutes to chat directly with Tadge about wing interchangeability. And I found what Tadge told him somewhat surprising....Tadge indicated that the front "underwing" is also different between a high wing and a low wing car, and should also be swapped out when changing the rear wing, or the car would "become unbalanced"...
Now that cars are ending up in customer hands, we can verify the accuracy of the statement, but my friend is an accomplished track person with a significant car collection, and knows what he was told in no uncertain terms...
The wings are physically interchangeable....they attach to the same points on the rear decklid. And while I personally believe that *ALL* ZR1s have the internal bracing connecting the wing to the frame, due to manufacturing efficiencies and possible lawsuits if one attached a high wing to a "low wing car" (which didn't have the bracing) and the car was subsequently damaged....others believe only the high wing cars have the bracing. In your case, you ordered a high wing, so it's a "don't care"...
Here's where it gets interesting....a good friend who had a press pass to the Detroit Auto show in January got about two minutes to chat directly with Tadge about wing interchangeability. And I found what Tadge told him somewhat surprising....Tadge indicated that the front "underwing" is also different between a high wing and a low wing car, and should also be swapped out when changing the rear wing, or the car would "become unbalanced"...
Now that cars are ending up in customer hands, we can verify the accuracy of the statement, but my friend is an accomplished track person with a significant car collection, and knows what he was told in no uncertain terms...
Small wing = No end plates.
Convertible = No end plates(because the roof interferes with the efficiency of the rear large wing).
large wing coupes = end plates
#8
Drifting
#10
Le Mans Master
One of the YouTube videos said it was a 5 lobe security screw rather than the typical 6 lobe security Torx. Not like you can't buy one, but they're not exactly common right now.
#11
Advanced
Thread Starter
That's good to know they are interchangeable. I guess in theory that if the rear wing is creating that much downforce, the front spoiler would be there to create downforce so the nose does not become light and want to push in the longer faster corners. If you switched to the smaller wing for the speed it would seem not removing the front aero would just make the front wheels bite harder? Anyone's thoughts?
#12
That's good to know they are interchangeable. I guess in theory that if the rear wing is creating that much downforce, the front spoiler would be there to create downforce so the nose does not become light and want to push in the longer faster corners. If you switched to the smaller wing for the speed it would seem not removing the front aero would just make the front wheels bite harder? Anyone's thoughts?
I'm the guy that ALF01 referenced as having had briefly chatted with Tadge about this at DIAS. You have the right idea, but perhaps from too positive a perspective. Tadge expressed concern that the car would oversteer (presumably, significantly); at the high speeds that we are talking about here, the results could result in a world of hurt (or worse).
The very clear message that I received was to have one aero package or the other in place, not to try and mix them.
A final point, the standard front underpan (for use with low wing) may not have the same mounting structure as that used for the inverted airfoil used with the high wing. This is conjecture on my part; I hope that this is not correct, as it will make swapping much easier if they are the same.
#13
I once tried running my C7 Z06 with stage 3 front and stage 1 rear aero. Let's just say that T10 at summit point which is a ~90 MPH apex corner was super sketchy.
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Plstxmd (04-30-2018)
#14
Burning Brakes
I'm the guy that ALF01 referenced as having had briefly chatted with Tadge about this at DIAS. You have the right idea, but perhaps from too positive a perspective. Tadge expressed concern that the car would oversteer (presumably, significantly); at the high speeds that we are talking about here, the results could result in a world of hurt (or worse).
The very clear message that I received was to have one aero package or the other in place, not to try and mix them.
A final point, the standard front underpan (for use with low wing) may not have the same mounting structure as that used for the inverted airfoil used with the high wing. This is conjecture on my part; I hope that this is not correct, as it will make swapping much easier if they are the same.
The very clear message that I received was to have one aero package or the other in place, not to try and mix them.
A final point, the standard front underpan (for use with low wing) may not have the same mounting structure as that used for the inverted airfoil used with the high wing. This is conjecture on my part; I hope that this is not correct, as it will make swapping much easier if they are the same.
The following users liked this post:
pibohmark (04-05-2018)
#15
Burning Brakes
So what do you guys think, would it be safe to take the big wing off for day to day stuff, like groceries, quick acceleration runs and maybe some light canyon stuff? Or do you think it would upset the car too much? Obviously reinstall wing for track days. I just love the look without the wing out back not too mention it it’ll be a lot easier getting in and out of the trunk!!
#16
Advanced
Thread Starter
So what do you guys think, would it be safe to take the big wing off for day to day stuff, like groceries, quick acceleration runs and maybe some light canyon stuff? Or do you think it would upset the car too much? Obviously reinstall wing for track days. I just love the look without the wing out back not too mention it it’ll be a lot easier getting in and out of the trunk!!
#17
Race Director
maybe this is why GM gave that driver such a hard time when he pulled the high wing off to run that mile run? gained 8 or 9mph by removing it iirc?
Also, just noticed what poor-sha said regarding his experience using stage III front & stage I rear for a Z06. from what i've read, the low ZR wing has 70% more downforce than a stage II Z06 spoiler. and the downforce created by stage II Z06 rear is something like 250lbs (stage III is around 500lbs). so the low wing is around 425lbs.
so if you had a ZTK package ZR and put the low wing out back, running high speed would, you notice an instability having all that extra front downforce and not as much out back? and imagine removing the rear wing all together and leaving the front? 425lbs downforce removed from the rear? and at what speed would it be dangerous? 120 140? or higher?
Also, just noticed what poor-sha said regarding his experience using stage III front & stage I rear for a Z06. from what i've read, the low ZR wing has 70% more downforce than a stage II Z06 spoiler. and the downforce created by stage II Z06 rear is something like 250lbs (stage III is around 500lbs). so the low wing is around 425lbs.
so if you had a ZTK package ZR and put the low wing out back, running high speed would, you notice an instability having all that extra front downforce and not as much out back? and imagine removing the rear wing all together and leaving the front? 425lbs downforce removed from the rear? and at what speed would it be dangerous? 120 140? or higher?
#18
Instructor
EMAIL CONVERSATION WITH PEOPLE IN THE KNOW:
Engineering is holding firm that we do not recommend adding the larger rear wing on a “base” ZR1. Specific tires, chassis tuning and stability control systems are developed in conjunction with the large wing thus they are not willing to support a change to the original design intent.
Engineering is holding firm that we do not recommend adding the larger rear wing on a “base” ZR1. Specific tires, chassis tuning and stability control systems are developed in conjunction with the large wing thus they are not willing to support a change to the original design intent.
#19
I don’t believe it... the high wing has variable pitch. I bet the high wing minimum angle of attack is very similar to the low wings performance. You will need to be driving ***** out to measure the difference.
In the real world you have cross winds, gusty conditions, pressure from 18 wheelers, and traffic in front and behind you that all disturb the air around your car. The big and small wing are all living in that turbulent world. On a track with tires at temp and a proper alignment the GM engineer can measure the difference but for 99% of us put on whatever wing you want.
In the real world you have cross winds, gusty conditions, pressure from 18 wheelers, and traffic in front and behind you that all disturb the air around your car. The big and small wing are all living in that turbulent world. On a track with tires at temp and a proper alignment the GM engineer can measure the difference but for 99% of us put on whatever wing you want.
Last edited by CitationZ06@yahoo; 04-10-2018 at 08:24 PM.
#20
Burning Brakes
I have not found any engineer or friends who work on or manage race teams that have expressed that they would have any concerns with normal operations switching to a low wing. We do not have enough info to determine track performance. I will be trying mine and will report back.