Aerodynamics

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 3:05 pm

I was wanting any information on the different aerodynamic effects of the different spoilers ( front and rear ) available for the FTO.
Stephen please do not shift this to styling as this is a discussion about performance.

After reading about the dramatic changes they discovered with the rerelease of the ford GT40 and the effects on airflow. I suddenly realised there is a lot more to looks by having different front spoilers.
I was wondering if anyone had any info about the different brands and the changes in downforce each can bring. Or if there no changes and it is only for looks alone.
The last project I was going to undertake with my FTO was a version R rear spoiler and a new front spoiler, and respray. I was going to choose my spoiler on looks, but seeing I do some circuit work and 1/4 miles I am now keen to change due to aerodynamics. If one particular make had more downforce than the others it would certainly be great to know.
I have looked myself but cannot find any info on aerodynamics from any of the manufacturers or any of the other FTO sites.
If anyone has any info or any ideas on where to look or any contacts with some of the companies that manufacture these could they please post them.
I am sure others would also like to know this information.

Thanks
Jeff

Post by **smorison** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 8:23 pm

hahaha i'm not going to move this

rear spoilers are easier to calculate the downforce on than front bars.... and i'm in the same dilema as you are...

i'm probably going to keep the stock bar as it flows air to the right places and add canards or something like that to improve downforce... i honestly don't believe the makers of aftermarket spoilers put a whole lot of thought into drag and downforce when it comes to their products... if they did they'd publish these figures...

SchumieFan · Post by **SchumieFan** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 9:20 pm

Does the stock Spoiler acctually provide much downforce?
i mean, sure it would supply a certain amount, but youd need to be travelling rather fast for it to have the slightest effect and b) i would have thought it hugs the bodywork too much to disturb the airflow enough?

Hence the point in GT wings i suppose... but they look butt-ugly

Post by **smorison** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 9:23 pm

SchumieFan wrote:Does the stock Spoiler acctually provide much downforce?
i mean, sure it would supply a certain amount, but youd need to be travelling rather fast for it to have the slightest effect and b) i would have thought it hugs the bodywork too much to disturb the airflow enough?

Hence the point in GT wings i suppose... but they look butt-ugly

it will provide some... but no figures so no idea how much....

rear wings only provide downforce to the rear of the car...

DZYRME · Post by **DZYRME** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 12:00 am

SchumieFan wrote: Hence the point in GT wings i suppose... but they look butt-ugly

OOOhh dont tell Mikey that, he may eat you for lunch if he hears that!

TheSentry · Post by **TheSentry** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 10:21 am

I honestly don't think changes to either would make much difference. I mean we're not exactly driving 600+ bhp V8 Supercars here, which benefit from front bars, rear wings and undertrays. Unless you're able to determine how much benefit you'd get from them (any one have access to a wind tunnel?

) it's probably just a waste of money.

Post by **smorison** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 11:31 am

TheSentry wrote:I honestly don't think changes to either would make much difference. I mean we're not exactly driving 600+ bhp V8 Supercars here, which benefit from front bars, rear wings and undertrays. Unless you're able to determine how much benefit you'd get from them (any one have access to a wind tunnel? ) it's probably just a waste of money.

any downforce device won't really be a benefit until about 100km and upwards... you can calculate the amount of downforce and drag (i'll have to look up where again)... and if you determine that a specific type of wing (each design has its own positives and negatives) ... is benefical to you then wewll you might have a winner...

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 11:58 pm

DZYRME,
I notice you have the veilside front bar. Do you do any track work? Did you notice any difference in handling between the stock bar and the veilside?
This is the type of info I was after with this post.
Good to see you were thinking like me Stephen.
Jeff

GPXXX · Post by **GPXXX** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 1:12 pm

since switching from my GT wing to a more sedate spoiler (ala GT2 style), i have noticed considerable stability from 120kph upwards on hard accelleration (rolling start).

With my old GT wing, it felt like the steering wheel was lighter which is possibly due to the extra downforce applied on the rear (generated by the GT wing) which resulted in less frontal grip...

i haven't really experienced any noticeable front end improvements since i fitted the front canards but they look l33t IMO so yerr that sorta makes up for it LoL...

in a nutshell, unless you do plenty of high speed driving (ie: 110kph or above), any aerodynamic mods you carry out will be solely for looks only.

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 6:36 pm

For those interested while I was down at Indy, one of the guys in the same coporate box was the owner of Custom Carbon here in Brisbane. I was wearing my FTO shirt, and he said he has had a few emails from people from this group.
I mangaged to have a bit of a talk to him and he invited me out to his factory to go over things in detail. Heres what I got from him.
In a nutshell ( quite a few beers by this time.)
All the body kits are solely designed for looks only.
Most bonnets for the FTO are all carbon fibre covered fibroglass. ie not as strong or as good as 100% carbon fibre.
He has done quite a few front and back spoilers for the V8 supercars and seems to know about aerodynamics.
He did a one off front spoiler and pan for a monaro that was getting loose in the steering above 200kph and fixed that but cost $2800.
Yes he can do cheaper for group buys.

When I get a chance to get to talk to him at length I will put up some figures in the group buys section,. probably 3 -4 weeks.
Jeff

GPXXX · Post by **GPXXX** » Sun Oct 31, 2004 10:55 pm

I would love to get my hands on one of those rear underbody aero diffusers, in CF of course...