Spoiler position
Discussion
We all know the strip of metal that is (sometimes) fixed under the front of Griffs. Mine was originally mounted in a slight recess just under the air intake, and it was riveted through to a strip of metal on the other side which also held the lower part of the grille. Here it seemed ideally placed not only to act as spoiler but also to help shove air through the radiator (though not really necessary becasue at speed the engine doesn't get hot anyway)
Then, of course, it got pinged off on a verge when I had to get past a car on a narrow country lane. It has now been refixed by an independent, and I see they've mounted it about 6" further back, right at the rear of that GRP crosspiece. Is this correct?
Then, of course, it got pinged off on a verge when I had to get past a car on a narrow country lane. It has now been refixed by an independent, and I see they've mounted it about 6" further back, right at the rear of that GRP crosspiece. Is this correct?
'In fact, come to think of it, I don't think I've seen a sinlge car with the chin spoiler still on it. Can we see a photo of yours?'
So you're the one who goes crawling along the line of TVRs on his hands and knees eh??!
It's not easy operating a Nikon in 5" ground clearance, but I'll see what I can do. BTW, how do you clever people get photos inserted in your posts? (I got 0% in my uploading exams)
Failing that, the car will be at Duxford - R732. (If the spoiler stays on till then, of course...!)
So you're the one who goes crawling along the line of TVRs on his hands and knees eh??!
It's not easy operating a Nikon in 5" ground clearance, but I'll see what I can do. BTW, how do you clever people get photos inserted in your posts? (I got 0% in my uploading exams)
Failing that, the car will be at Duxford - R732. (If the spoiler stays on till then, of course...!)
As the owner of a number of lip spoilers :-) I can tell you that they do make the car run cooler. I have taken before and after readings on my car and it takes longer to cool down after getting warm in traffic without one.
I'm currently waiting for David (Mod Wise) to release his special one so I can drive out of our carpark at more than 1 mph!
D.
I'm currently waiting for David (Mod Wise) to release his special one so I can drive out of our carpark at more than 1 mph!
D.
There's a piccy of the splitter on my Chimaera on my website - www.motion-lotion.co.uk.
Well the jury is out on this one.
I have heard all sorts of claims for this, including several by owners who insisyed that they were vital only to find their cars didn't have them! That makes me be a little sceptical to say the least.
Still they are cheap and don't do that much damage to the bodywork when they get ripped off on sleeping policemen or when you scoop up road kill. Imagine a week old dead rabbit straight onto the rad for the final broiling....
Steve
I have heard all sorts of claims for this, including several by owners who insisyed that they were vital only to find their cars didn't have them! That makes me be a little sceptical to say the least.
Still they are cheap and don't do that much damage to the bodywork when they get ripped off on sleeping policemen or when you scoop up road kill. Imagine a week old dead rabbit straight onto the rad for the final broiling....
Steve
'Imagine a week old dead rabbit straight onto the rad for the final broiling.... '
This could be a useful trick - I heard a story years ago about a bloke who, before leaving work for the long drive home, would wrap up various items of food in aluminium foil. He stashed them in various places around the engine bay and by the time he got home, it was all nicely cooked.
How's that for environmentally friendly energy saving, lefties??!
This could be a useful trick - I heard a story years ago about a bloke who, before leaving work for the long drive home, would wrap up various items of food in aluminium foil. He stashed them in various places around the engine bay and by the time he got home, it was all nicely cooked.
How's that for environmentally friendly energy saving, lefties??!
When I first acquired my Griff it took me some time to sort a few issues, the main one for me was cooling and my perception of how hot the motor was running and the splitter/spoiler was long gone.
I now have a home made ally splitter fitted as far back as it will go (this reduces the risk of losing it) a fan override switch fitted and all the cooling system leaks sorted. The result being no perceived over heating problems.
My splitter (which I think is similar to TVR std) defiantly reduced the speed at which engine cooling takes place without the fans running by at least 20 mph. There is also supposed to be some high speed stability improvements, I had the front geometry checked/set up around the same time so I couldn’t say for sure if the splitter contributes or not though I think it does.
Cheers,
Simon.
I now have a home made ally splitter fitted as far back as it will go (this reduces the risk of losing it) a fan override switch fitted and all the cooling system leaks sorted. The result being no perceived over heating problems.
My splitter (which I think is similar to TVR std) defiantly reduced the speed at which engine cooling takes place without the fans running by at least 20 mph. There is also supposed to be some high speed stability improvements, I had the front geometry checked/set up around the same time so I couldn’t say for sure if the splitter contributes or not though I think it does.
Cheers,
Simon.
I have already done my evaluation on the subject but if anybody with a digital multimeter would like to confirm also, a simple test.
Splitter on.
Connect long lead from the cabin to the temp sender, connect voltmeter to chassis and when engine warm at a steady 60 mph,very slowly begin to drop in speed and notice the speed when the voltage begins to go down(temp rising). It is only a matter of milli volts(3.8v at start up today, 1.2v at thermosat opening!) but is easily recognised.Repeat test without splitter. Outside temps have little effect as its the change that is being observed. I know where my Griff begins to heat up. Sad, aint I.
Splitter on.
Connect long lead from the cabin to the temp sender, connect voltmeter to chassis and when engine warm at a steady 60 mph,very slowly begin to drop in speed and notice the speed when the voltage begins to go down(temp rising). It is only a matter of milli volts(3.8v at start up today, 1.2v at thermosat opening!) but is easily recognised.Repeat test without splitter. Outside temps have little effect as its the change that is being observed. I know where my Griff begins to heat up. Sad, aint I.
I know mine's a Chimaera but I had been having a very loose bonnet that would wobble and then rise up 5" - 6" on the passenger side above 110 and on the way down to Le Mans it actually came open at 130mph. I asked around whilst down there and was told that the front spoiler helps prevent that and last Tuesday I had it fitted and now it's solid with no scary lifting or wobbling and I got it up to 140mph. I didn't know it was there for cooling reasons though nor was that mentioned by anyone else on the Chimaera forum?!?
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=12746
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=12746
The only issue is...
Why do many other Chimaera reach those speeds, don't have a spoiler and still have a rock solid bonnet?
The second issue is that the Griff bonnet/front end etc is very very different. I don't have a spoiler, have hit 140+ and the bonnet doesn't move.
Steve
>> Edited by shpub on Tuesday 30th July 09:26
Why do many other Chimaera reach those speeds, don't have a spoiler and still have a rock solid bonnet?
The second issue is that the Griff bonnet/front end etc is very very different. I don't have a spoiler, have hit 140+ and the bonnet doesn't move.
Steve
>> Edited by shpub on Tuesday 30th July 09:26
No pics but it's a simple piece of metal, about 3 feet long and 4" wide, slightly bent along its length. Mine is black. Factory position on a Griff is at the front edge of the GRP panel that runs across under the radiator; replacement position is often at the back of the panel as less vulnerable.
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff