Front winglets

[KPW894]

Sorry but the usual apology about the search facility, as I'm sure this must have been covered before. I've got a pair of front MK2 winglets to fit to my early MK1 and want to know if anyone can help me regarding how to fit them. Are there any reference points on the body that I use to make sure I position them correctly?

Thanks.

Kieron.

[NCE 61]

A couple of photos that may help:-



You can just see the fixing's (plastic covers over bolt heads) on this one:-

[KPW894]

Thanks NCE 61, those pictures are very useful. Did you fit them yourself? Apart from the bolts did you use any other fixing as it looks like yours are stuck or bonded where they meet the body, or is this just a reflection in the picture?

Do you know if there are any fixed reference points for the bolts?

Thanks again.

Kieron.

[NCE 61]

KPW894 said:

Thanks NCE 61, those pictures are very useful. Did you fit them yourself? Apart from the bolts did you use any other fixing as it looks like yours are stuck or bonded where they meet the body, or is this just a reflection in the picture?

Do you know if there are any fixed reference points for the bolts?

Thanks again.

Kieron.

They were factory fitted as part of the S pack. I don't think they are bonded though, but there is a rubber seal between the winglet & the body.

[Cockey]

That rubber stuff might be something like Tiger Seal. It's often used on body kits. It's also the stuff that is used on the A pillar trim next to the windscreen.

[Walford]

Do they generate any down force i think they look better than the mark 1 splitter but cant see how they would work without some kind of end fence

[m4tti]

Thats something im interested in, is there any evidence they generate any downforce.

I know a lot of people who have fitted the mk1 splitter have said it definitely increases high speed stability.

I guess with all things TVR theres not really much empirical evidence

[Walford]

If you look at more modern sports cars, theres a lot under the car

[Robertjp]

Talking to Fibreon last friday as he makes these. (i got some new light inspection covers)

They will fit a mk1 but need the crown of the raised section taking off towards the front on the winglet - they are not a simple bolt on.

Also the mk2 are bolted - not sure that there are any bolt holes readily available in a mk1 so not altogether sure where they mount.

As for downforce - no idea, but i know the splitter does 'work' in so much as it creates downforce. Im put off fitting by the fact it may make the rear more unstable at speed unless matched with a spoiler....and i dont like the mk1 1 spoiler, too big. I often wonder if a spoiler could be fitted under the car to the same effect....but i dont have the aerodynamics skills to know!

I asked him about a mk2 and he said he has never seen one to be able to take a mould - or he would - and create a mk2 smaller lip spoiler that could be bonded on.

[weeman6556]

The winglets do produce downforce. They don't need end fences to produce downforce, this simply increases the efficency and gives more downforce. (Think of a plane not all have wing fences at the end but new ones tend to always have them).

As for your balance yes, adding front downforce acts as a pivot and therfore the rear will lift. But this may only be noticable over 100mph or there abouts.

To rectify this you could fit a spoiler or use a diffuser. A diffuser basically controls the air flowing under the car and gradually reduces its flow rate (hence reduces the pressure) and as a result you create downforce.

[NCE 61]

weeman6556 said:

The winglets do produce downforce. They don't need end fences to produce downforce, this simply increases the efficency and gives more downforce. (Think of a plane not all have wing fences at the end but new ones tend to always have them).

As for your balance yes, adding front downforce acts as a pivot and therfore the rear will lift. But this may only be noticable over 100mph or there abouts.

To rectify this you could fit a spoiler or use a diffuser. A diffuser basically controls the air flowing under the car and gradually reduces its flow rate (hence reduces the pressure) and as a result you create downforce.

Correct you do need the rear spoiler as well for the aero to work on the Tuscan. It is quiet noticable at higher speeds campaired to one without.

[m4tti]

So when you have the front splitter and the rear wing is stability/grip/poise signiifcantly better to the point where it is obvious whilst driving.

[steve-V8s]

weeman6556 said:

A diffuser basically controls the air flowing under the car and gradually reduces its flow rate (hence reduces the pressure) and as a result you create downforce.

I may be wrong here but would have thought that under the car reducing the flow rate would increase the pressure. A front splitter (a proper one close to the ground) generates down force because air speed under that car is increased which reduces the pressure. I thought a Rear Diffuser was about keeping an attached flow as long as possible.

Fitting a splitter to the Griff made the back very floaty at 90 mph or above, a modest boot lip spoiler evened things up.

[weeman6556]

The diffuser itself doesn't create the downforce. It simply makes the car produce more natural downforce by increasing the flow under the car. (Because the diffuser makes it less turbulant when leaving the car)

The problem with a diffuser being its not as simple as bolting a rear wing on. A rear wing produces downforce at the point of the wing. However a diffuser improves downforce up to where it starts to slope (known as the step). What's more a diffuser really needs a flat underbody structure.

You are refering to ground effect when you talk about a low splitter there. But if you get the splitter to low to the ground you drematically reduce downforce.

Edited by weeman6556 on Friday 10th August 14:46

[cookie450]

From a personal perspective I have the splitter fitted to my MK1 without the rear spoiler and have found a much more planted front end at speed with no noticeable adverse impact on rear end grip etc.
I wonder whether anyone has any information about the speed required to make the spoiler effective in terms of extra downforce ?

[jenk0]

KPW894 said:

Thanks NCE 61, those pictures are very useful. Did you fit them yourself? Apart from the bolts did you use any other fixing as it looks like yours are stuck or bonded where they meet the body, or is this just a reflection in the picture?

Do you know if there are any fixed reference points for the bolts?

Thanks again.

Kieron.

[so called]

jenk0 said:

KPW894 said:

Thanks NCE 61, those pictures are very useful. Did you fit them yourself? Apart from the bolts did you use any other fixing as it looks like yours are stuck or bonded where they meet the body, or is this just a reflection in the picture?

Do you know if there are any fixed reference points for the bolts?

Thanks again.

Kieron.

Hello.