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Posted over in the motorsports section, but figured I'd clean up my thread and re-post it here.
I decided to take on fabrication of carbon fiber parts recently to support aero modifications for my car. As some know on this forum, I track the car regularly at the instructor level and I've been looking at doing aero for a little while here. Since fabricating my own stuff is fun, rewarding, and (sometimes) cost effective, I decided I'd finally pull the trigger and purchase a setup to fabricate carbon fiber parts
First project was canards, which I did earlier this week. I think they actually came out really nice for a first pass. Version 2.0 is already in the making, and if I work out a few minor kinks, I'd seriously consider offering sets for sale too!
The big project that I pretty much wrapped up yesterday was fabricating a rear wing. It came out with some creases as a result of difficulties wrapping the wing tightly, but overall I'm happy with the outcome as a version 1.0. I'll be testing it out (with some data for downforce at various speeds) and of course at the track in the near future.
Anyways, some pictures of the fabrication process and (almost) final results as follows!
And... the wing. It's not fully done yet, as I need to trim some of the mounting bracketry, fabricate and attache the side plates, and paint the brackets. Plus clear coat it all. But the basic idea can be seen, and a few pics I got along the way putting it all together.
Yes, the underside of the trunk is reinforced. Otherwise I'd destroy the trunk
Last edited by dmichaels; Aug 12, 2016 at 11:46 AM.
Picture with representative winglets... working on the real ones today (will be larger and made of CF as well...)
Also below are some pics of the reinforcement plates on the underside of the trunk. These will connect up to the pedestal brackets to take the load, as the trunk cannot withstand the loads
Fun project, although drilling holes in the trunk took some serious commitment!!
Last edited by dmichaels; Aug 13, 2016 at 10:44 AM.
It's an option for some. Too low to be very effective, looks like plastic too, so likely not intended for significant downforce. Also note no trunk lid reinforcement so again maybe 50 lbs downforce. But it's nice looking...
These things he's making are less about looks and more about performance. He tracks his car and is trying to find ways to improve the car's handling. That wing isn't going to provide the downforce that the one he's trying to put together will, and I doubt it has the support underneath it to withstand significant force onto the decklid.
These things he's making are less about looks and more about performance. He tracks his car and is trying to find ways to improve the car's handling. That wing isn't going to provide the downforce that the one he's trying to put together will, and I doubt it has the support underneath it to withstand significant force onto the decklid.
Was just a suggestion. Being from Steeda, I thought it might be more functional.
If it interests you, there is some good reading available online in regards to spoilers and wings and the aerodynamics behind each.
Spoilers (such as what's on the base GT), when designed correctly, essentially create a "pocket" of high pressure air just forward of the spoiler, which reduces the amount the airflow over the roof flows downward, which decrease the effectiveness of the car as a wing. This in turn reduces lift. It doesn't create downforce like an actual rear wing does
If it interests you, there is some good reading available online in regards to spoilers and wings and the aerodynamics behind each.
Spoilers (such as what's on the base GT), when designed correctly, essentially create a "pocket" of high pressure air just forward of the spoiler, which reduces the amount the airflow over the roof flows downward, which decrease the effectiveness of the car as a wing. This in turn reduces lift. It doesn't create downforce like an actual rear wing does
Some CFD as well as wind tunnel testing is shown and explained. Interesting reading if you're into engineering and aerodynamics
This is a good point. Also, Look at the spoilers on GT's and compare them to the one, for example, on my '13 GT500. That car is designed to go 200mph, and to do so, requires a great deal of down-force to keep the car stable. The spoiler on my 500, while not nearly as effective as the one being made in this thread, is designed specifically for that purpose. Aero on a high-performance car is one of the areas with the tightest of tolerances in terms of effective down-force and manipulation of the vehicle.
Really...they do!
