Functional Aero Parts and their effects ?

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

I think that was his rear bumper, not a diffuser. I can see what you're saying though, it hangs down a lot further than the OEM departure angle was designed for, and on a street that could have adverse effects. I had been considering a Driveway Labs type 2, because it follows the car's lines more closely, but then I decided that I just don't play those kinds of games and it would only be an aesthetic mod for me.

I love watching your videos. Yours and @ATL BRZ's are always fun. There's some nice sideways S2K action at 2:14, too.

Well, the car had an authentic Spoon diffuser on, and it caught the ground because it was so low when he went 2 off from understeering. Had the diffuser not been there, he would have ripped off the diffuser and bumper.

The diffuser was specifically mounted so that the front clips would fail, and ONLY the bumper would be lost if something like the incident in the video happened.

I love seeing fireballs coming out of the tailpipe on that S2k... it's running a Vortech 1200 at 5.5 psi.

[gramicci101]

Is that your S2K?

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

The diffuser was specifically mounted so that the front clips would fail, and ONLY the bumper would be lost if something like the incident in the video happened.

I love that they planned for this contingency. That's the kind of thing I do at work, and it makes me warm and fuzzy to see it in the civilian world as well.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

Is that your S2K?




I love that they planned for this contingency. That's the kind of thing I do at work, and it makes me warm and fuzzy to see it in the civilian world as well.

Nope not my S2k; it's built by Sport Car Motion in San Diego.

Built-in failure points are good. We try to do it whenever it's feasible, particularly with splitters. I try to avoid diffusers altogether, unless we have no other option.

[gramicci101]

Would they not help keep the rear of the car planted on the track though? Is there a benefit to a diffuser vs. a bigass wing?

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

Would they not help keep the rear of the car planted on the track though? Is there a benefit to a diffuser vs. a bigass wing?

Yes, but for most street cars, a wing is more effective than a diffuser.

[gramicci101]

Now just for fun, what about canards vs. a front splitter? Canards are much less likely to be damaged, but I don't think they'd be as effective.

[Wonderbar]

Hate to jump on here so late, and I'm not trying to promote my diffuser. I only found the thread by mistake trying to search for a different thread.

My type 1 diffuser has 5-6 inches of ground clearance on my car (stock size wheels, h&r super sport springs). The type 2 has about 2-3 more inches of ground clearance. The leading edge is mounted to the frame and is designed as a failure point in case of an off. Also, I build mine from aluminum, not cf. Aluminum can be bent and repaired easily. All the strakes come off with a drill and can be replaced easily. I've personally tore mine off on a deer carcass that was hiding mid apex on the way to work; it broke the mounting tabs and popped the diffuser off the car with zero damage to my bumper cover. But on the same token, I can do pull-ups on the diffuser with the car on a lift.

I have tons of track and street cars that have given great feedback as to the added stability, and reduced drag (improved highway mpg).

[gramicci101]

Have you noticed if the type 2 is more or less effective than the type 1? I'm interested in the benefits you mentioned, but don't want the huge square diffuser racecar look.

[plucas]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

Now just for fun, what about canards vs. a front splitter? Canards are much less likely to be damaged, but I don't think they'd be as effective.

These do serve different purposes. It all depends on what you are trying to accomplish with the aero on your car.

[gramicci101]

Originally Posted by plucas

These do serve different purposes. It all depends on what you are trying to accomplish with the aero on your car.

Do they? Splitters work with the front of the car to create a low pressure zone under the car, which creates downforce. I thought canards created downforce because they were angled down and forced air upwards?

I'm not trying to accomplish anything with aero on my car, I'm just interested in how it all works. Thanks for answering.

[ZionsWrath]

How would OEM vs a bolt on GT type wing compare? Would have either without a front splitter adversely effect the car if the rest of the aero was stock?

[plucas]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

Do they? Splitters work with the front of the car to create a low pressure zone under the car, which creates downforce. I thought canards created downforce because they were angled down and forced air upwards?

I'm not trying to accomplish anything with aero on my car, I'm just interested in how it all works. Thanks for answering.

Canards can create a little downforce and can be used to adjust aero balance. They are/should be used more to direct airflow to other parts to create more downforce. Also good at decreasing front wheel well pressure decreasing lift there.

[Wonderbar]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

Have you noticed if the type 2 is more or less effective than the type 1? I'm interested in the benefits you mentioned, but don't want the huge square diffuser racecar look.

Type 2 should be marginally less effective, but will be so because of the slightly shorter body and smaller strakes. Maybe @plucas can plug some insight to the theory.

[gramicci101]

Originally Posted by plucas

Canards can create a little downforce and can be used to adjust aero balance. They are/should be used more to direct airflow to other parts to create more downforce. Also good at decreasing front wheel well pressure decreasing lift there.

That makes sense. What other aero parts are there on the front end for them to direct aero to?

Also, interestingly, the GT300 BRZ doesn't seem to use them, from a brief image search. And my ipad doesn't seem to realize that brief is actually a word and I didn't really mean to say grief. Dammit.