Discussion
After adding a diffuser to my previous westfield and feeling it made a fair difference (if nothing else stopping the parachuting effect of the rear end) I decided to do the same with the Caterham.....so here it is:
It was pretty easy to fit (and pleasingly required no drilling/modification of the car, so can be removed at a moments notice if needed) and I think it looks rather good.
I'm now on a search for a good looking chin spolier/splitter to stop so much air going under the car in the first place, rather than using a low numberplate.
I'll report back once I've had it on track to see if I can feel a difference.
It was pretty easy to fit (and pleasingly required no drilling/modification of the car, so can be removed at a moments notice if needed) and I think it looks rather good.
I'm now on a search for a good looking chin spolier/splitter to stop so much air going under the car in the first place, rather than using a low numberplate.
I'll report back once I've had it on track to see if I can feel a difference.
I'll be interested to hear the results, but I suspect the fuel tank was, more or less, doing the same job. I'd like to sheet more of the underside at some stage to see what happens.
IMHO a full numberplate fitted as low as possible certainly helps stability (and my confidence) at high speed.
IMHO a full numberplate fitted as low as possible certainly helps stability (and my confidence) at high speed.
IBDAET said:
DCL - I'm confused by your bnumber plate theory - surely this would increase the air pressure under the car, thus doing the opposite to any effective diffuser?
I've dug myself a hole over this one in the past, so I'll go carefully 
. The S3 nose is wedged shaped and tends to introduce lift. The numberplate just acts as a spoiler to break this down. There have been people out there that have done proper wind tunnel testing so it's a little more than a theory.Aha, so the numberplate is at the front? That will be correct.
When I made carbon nosecones for Sevens, Activa, DITP, Carbon Component Co, we had an aerodynamicist from Jordan look at the shape and reccomend some changes - we were getting 140mph out of therse cars even back in 1995. If you see one of these items (moulds now destroyed) you will notice it has a flat front for precisely this purpose.
I found a pic....
When I made carbon nosecones for Sevens, Activa, DITP, Carbon Component Co, we had an aerodynamicist from Jordan look at the shape and reccomend some changes - we were getting 140mph out of therse cars even back in 1995. If you see one of these items (moulds now destroyed) you will notice it has a flat front for precisely this purpose.
I found a pic....
DCL said:
I'll be interested to hear the results, but I suspect the fuel tank was, more or less, doing the same job. I'd like to sheet more of the underside at some stage to see what happens.
IMHO a full numberplate fitted as low as possible certainly helps stability (and my confidence) at high speed.
I'm going to spa in a couple of weeks, so will have ample opportunity to test....if I can be bothered I will try the car with and without and compare the data logger. It definitely made a difference in my westfield, so hoping for the same here.IMHO a full numberplate fitted as low as possible certainly helps stability (and my confidence) at high speed.
damdy-cash said:
...if it makes such a difference I bet that car in the pics performs really badly then given the splitter isn't even fitted on straight! Hopeless!!!Mellow7 said:
damdy-cash said:
...if it makes such a difference I bet that car in the pics performs really badly then given the splitter isn't even fitted on straight! Hopeless!!!rubystone said:
GreigM said:
Given thats a Levante so that one would be fitted by Caterham, I'd hope it does make a difference.
Eh? Maybe I've misunderstood what you have posted? Are you suggesting that the item in the link is a Caterham OEM part?GreigM said:
The photo is of a Levante, which has that wing fitted in the factory, so yes. It may be a reproduction of the caterham part that is being sold, but the pic is of the real deal.
Nice to know that Russ is now running "the factory" I'll give him a bell right now and let him know the good news...GreigM said:
Yes, you are of course correct, I forgot the Levante was "caterham approved" rather than built. However the general gist still stands that its a Caterham "approved" part, so hopefully it would be somewhat effective.
AFAIK Caterham have never, and will never, "approve" the Levante. Doesn't stop it being a nice piece of engineering (divided over its looks, yes, but engineering is first class). As to whether any of these addenda are "effective" - Russ hasn't run the Levantes in any wind tunnels and I am not aware of whether anyone else has. I'd assume some CFD work was undertaken though by those who may have released this type of kit.
Arnie?....
Never quite got a diffuser on a Caterham. They look smart but wasn't convinced by their effectiveness. I'm sure it's better with that without but if looking for gains I would've thought it to be low down on the list.
I did however look at an engine bay under tray and was very tempted.
http://www.fluke-motorsport.co.uk/carbon-fibre-und...
I did however look at an engine bay under tray and was very tempted.
http://www.fluke-motorsport.co.uk/carbon-fibre-und...
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