Front wing
05-27-2013, 03:11 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Northridge, CA
Posts: 842
Total Cats: 412
Front wing
Came back from the 4th round of the Miata Challenge after a weekend full of aero testing fun.
Spent a few sessions playing with both front and rear wing adjustments.
More testing is needed for sure, but the front wing definitely made an impact on aero balance and grip levels.
The car was very neutral and balanced in Laguna last month and the only change I made in it since was the front wing.
Before going out on track for the first time during the weekend, I cranked the rear wing's AOA up by a good bit with the understanding that if the front wing worked as expected, I'll encounter oversteer unless the rear wing was set more aggressive.
And boy was I right..
Even with the steeper AOA on the rear wing, the balance shifted to the front enough to get the rear end to step out and make me look like a hero in a bunch of corners.
So yeah, it may have the look that only a mother can love and a face for the radio, but the thing works.
Moti
Spent a few sessions playing with both front and rear wing adjustments.
More testing is needed for sure, but the front wing definitely made an impact on aero balance and grip levels.
The car was very neutral and balanced in Laguna last month and the only change I made in it since was the front wing.
Before going out on track for the first time during the weekend, I cranked the rear wing's AOA up by a good bit with the understanding that if the front wing worked as expected, I'll encounter oversteer unless the rear wing was set more aggressive.
And boy was I right..
Even with the steeper AOA on the rear wing, the balance shifted to the front enough to get the rear end to step out and make me look like a hero in a bunch of corners.
So yeah, it may have the look that only a mother can love and a face for the radio, but the thing works.
Moti
Last edited by Braineack; 05-27-2013 at 11:54 AM.
Reply
1
1
05-27-2013, 12:25 PM
#6
Elite Member
iTrader: (15)
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 4,847
Total Cats: 27
All of your browsers suck. I can clearly see small image icons with a little moon and a mountain. Obviously these images are meant to illustrate... well, something...
Reply
0
0
05-27-2013, 02:39 PM
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Northridge, CA
Posts: 842
Total Cats: 412
Massive fail seems to work alright on other forums using the same links... 
Let's try attachments instead.
Moti
BTW, if any mod or admin wants to edit the OP to show the pics somehow using the original links, here they are -
http://www.blackbirdfabworx.com/SRP2013-049w.jpg
http://www.blackbirdfabworx.com/SRP2013-083w.jpg
http://www.blackbirdfabworx.com/SRP2013-081w.jpg
Let's try attachments instead.
Moti
BTW, if any mod or admin wants to edit the OP to show the pics somehow using the original links, here they are -
http://www.blackbirdfabworx.com/SRP2013-049w.jpg
http://www.blackbirdfabworx.com/SRP2013-083w.jpg
http://www.blackbirdfabworx.com/SRP2013-081w.jpg
Reply
0
0
05-27-2013, 02:54 PM
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Northridge, CA
Posts: 842
Total Cats: 412
Yep, my design and execution.
It's 28" wide and the cord length is 8".
Given that I didn't have a very good idea with regards to what AOA is actually zero to start with (air does not flow @ 0 at the chosen location), I made the wing highly adjustable with a range of 0-35 degrees.
Moti
It's 28" wide and the cord length is 8".
Given that I didn't have a very good idea with regards to what AOA is actually zero to start with (air does not flow @ 0 at the chosen location), I made the wing highly adjustable with a range of 0-35 degrees.
Moti
Reply
0
0
05-27-2013, 03:22 PM
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Northridge, CA
Posts: 842
Total Cats: 412
I designed the uprights so they can be used for a wing at the center only or with extensions on both sides, so in theory I can run a 7' wide wing if I wanted and even make the sides adjustable independently of the center.
The airfoil itself is a prototype and the finish is okay, not spectacular or anything.
I'll most likely build more wings to try, now that all the architecture is there.
Moti
Reply
0
0
05-27-2013, 05:56 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: The Race Track & St Pete FL
Posts: 638
Total Cats: 57
What AOA (rear wing) were you at previously with the neutral balance? After playing with your current unfinished design what AOA are you at front and rear? I am at 7 degs now with the front splitter and under aero. I have a quite bit of understeer and am looking for some more front downforce, but I think I'm going to try something different that I have seen anyone on here try yet.
Last edited by 1993ka24det; 05-27-2013 at 06:08 PM.
Reply
0
0
05-27-2013, 06:12 PM
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Northridge, CA
Posts: 842
Total Cats: 412
The question is where you're encountering understeer.
If it's slower corners, downforce is less likely to help you and you need to dial in your mechanical grip better.
For high speed stuff, you can always dial out your rear wing a little for improved balance.
My AOA angles are pretty much irrelevant for you because I don't have a windshield and you don't have a front wing.
Moti
If it's slower corners, downforce is less likely to help you and you need to dial in your mechanical grip better.
For high speed stuff, you can always dial out your rear wing a little for improved balance.
My AOA angles are pretty much irrelevant for you because I don't have a windshield and you don't have a front wing.
Moti
Reply
0
0
05-27-2013, 06:24 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: The Race Track & St Pete FL
Posts: 638
Total Cats: 57
The question is where you're encountering understeer.
If it's slower corners, downforce is less likely to help you and you need to dial in your mechanical grip better.
For high speed stuff, you can always dial out your rear wing a little for improved balance.
My AOA angles are pretty much irrelevant for you because I don't have a windshield and you don't have a front wing.
Moti
If it's slower corners, downforce is less likely to help you and you need to dial in your mechanical grip better.
For high speed stuff, you can always dial out your rear wing a little for improved balance.
My AOA angles are pretty much irrelevant for you because I don't have a windshield and you don't have a front wing.
Moti
Reply
0
0
