Downforce

[Guest]

Hi all,
As a none sport carrera owner but hoping to acquire the chin and rear spoilers,I was wondering just how much difference these items make to "high" cruising speed stability?
On the return trip from Brands this year a bespoilered carrera passed me at a higher and seemingly more relaxed pace whilst I was battling with a crosswind and a very light/twitchy car!!!!
In every other respect my car handles superbly and without "scary" crosswinds, high speed cruising is comfortable and relaxed.
Hopefully once I have the sport option spoilers fitted and possibly a damper upgrade I will see a big difference.Yes? No?
Hope this isn't going to prove too big of "a can of worms".
Ian(CTJM)[]

 

[steh]

hi ian, i have a sport model and a friend has a non sport model. its not just the spoilers that make the car look different but the wheels are bigger with lower profile tyres on the sport model so that might explain why the other car looked as it did.

steve

 

[Guest]

Someone with a better memory or the right reference books can answer this with more accuracy but IIRC, the front lip spoiler reduces lift by something like 50lbs and the rear spoiler by something like 100lbs with minimal effect on drag - it really is something for nothing. The spoilers do not produce downforce but do cancel lift, though not entirely. Even with the spoiler package there is still a little front and rear axle lift - just a lot less.

I am sure this makes a difference at say 120+mph, whether it makes a difference you can feel at say under 100mph, I'm not sure. I suspect crosswinds are one area where it does make a difference you can feel. I seem to recall one of the original UK roadtests of a non-sport 3.2 making this comment.

Damping, ride height, suspension alignment and corner weights will all make a difference to the way your car feels.

Richard

 

[Guest]

Thanks for that,Richard & Steve.
I do have the 16" wheels and associated rubber already fitted so the wings & fins are really the issue.However,a welcome email arrived yesterday with a rear 3.2 spoiler and lid offered so hopefully along with the "chin" I'll be able to sample the pudding!
Appreciate the tech input Richard,there's definitely no ignoring those figures.
Thanks chaps,
Ian(CTJM)

 

[Greg Park]

Ian,
Are you looking to sell your non-sport lid?

 

[Guest]

Hi Parky,
Yes, I probably will be selling my original lid once the new items arrive.Provided that I'm happy with them and have them repainted and fitted then the lid will be for sale.It's in guards red and pretty much unmarked/immaculate.Would you like me to email you nearer the time or you would you prefer to email me with your budget/requirements.
Ian