front spoiler feedback
Discussion
After digesting loads of info about the front spoiler it appears it:
- may improve engine bay cooling
- may improve high speed handling
- may stop the bonnet from flapping about
- always gets ripped off!
My idea is to make a similar spoiler out of ally but with less depth. The idea being I would partly benifit from any advantages it provides... while the improved ground clearence may give it a fighting chance to stay on for more than 3 days.
What do you guys think???
Cheers
Matt T
Interesting idea. I took a different approach. Although I haven't got round to reattaching mine (and I'm not sure I will bother), the last time it got ripped off, I hammered it back into shape and had to cut a slot out of the bent section where the metal had been stretched in order to flatten it.
It struck me that what I wanted to do was to leave its aerodynamic characteristics unchanged, but weaken it so that if it hit a rock a small area would easily give way without ripping the whole thing off or damaging the GRP. I therefore put a series of cut from the leading edge of the spoiler to the fold where it meets the GRP. I guess I did this about every 20cm along the spoilers length. I put a bit of sealant along the cuts so they won't whistle in the airflow.
When the spoiler is loaded by the air flow along its entire length, these cuts will have no effect on the spoilers stiffness. But if a particular area gets smacked by a rock, the 20cm wide panel will be substantially less stiff than before and should give. Hopefully it could be bent back into place, but even if it snaps off, the downside of having to replace the whole wing is no worse than before.
It struck me that what I wanted to do was to leave its aerodynamic characteristics unchanged, but weaken it so that if it hit a rock a small area would easily give way without ripping the whole thing off or damaging the GRP. I therefore put a series of cut from the leading edge of the spoiler to the fold where it meets the GRP. I guess I did this about every 20cm along the spoilers length. I put a bit of sealant along the cuts so they won't whistle in the airflow.
When the spoiler is loaded by the air flow along its entire length, these cuts will have no effect on the spoilers stiffness. But if a particular area gets smacked by a rock, the 20cm wide panel will be substantially less stiff than before and should give. Hopefully it could be bent back into place, but even if it snaps off, the downside of having to replace the whole wing is no worse than before.
Knocked mine off on I think day two of owning the car. I was not aware it even existed until I saw a strip of metal flying out the back. You can imagine my shock!
Chris at TMS told me instinctively what had happened and summarised the effect as with the original note above. Having just returned from the continent, after blasting 145 - 150 down the autobaurn, the only noticeable difference was the bonnet bobbing slightly.
Chris says 8/10 cars he sees for a service it's broken off!
Chris at TMS told me instinctively what had happened and summarised the effect as with the original note above. Having just returned from the continent, after blasting 145 - 150 down the autobaurn, the only noticeable difference was the bonnet bobbing slightly.
Chris says 8/10 cars he sees for a service it's broken off!
quote:
Knocked mine off on I think day two of owning the car. I was not aware it even existed until I saw a strip of metal flying out the back. You can imagine my shock!
Chris at TMS told me instinctively what had happened and summarised the effect as with the original note above. Having just returned from the continent, after blasting 145 - 150 down the autobaurn, the only noticeable difference was the bonnet bobbing slightly.
Chris says 8/10 cars he sees for a service it's broken off!
they are a consumable item at every service - mine has been through 3 spoilers in 20,000 miles. Luckily they are about £20 to replace so no great hardship. I should really send the bill to the local council as they have put in loads of speed humps.
Lots of good ideas here... I was also thinking of cutting slots into mine to limit damage... but mine is soo buckled now... and have sheets of ally in the garage..
The idea of a strong rubber spoiler is a very good one!! but would be diff to get it hard enough not to flex at speed
One idea might be a rubber coated plastic spoiler?? for flex and ridigity.... anyone interested if I can get some made up?????
In the mean time i will give the ally idea a try... and feedback the results.
Cheers
Matt T
don't know if this has ever happened to anyone else, but on one occaision I hit a big rock which put a great round dent in the splitter. As the splitter got shoved backwards, the horizontal bit that is flat against the GRP got folded upwards cracking the GRP around one of the bolt holes for the bodywork. Turned into an expensive GRP repair. SO far replacing the splitter has cost me about £30, £30, £230. Haven't reattached it since 4th time.
Have recently had a new spoiler fitted however I think it has been fitted back to front. ie. not snow plough loof a like but lowest part facing backwards....helps lift off and under steer at speed.
Am I correct in that it should face forward looking lke a snow plough therefore very vunerable????!!!
Thanks all
Am I correct in that it should face forward looking lke a snow plough therefore very vunerable????!!!
Thanks all
What's all this about spoilers? I ain't got a spoiler - should I have? If so where does it go? I can't recall ever having seen one on a Chimaera.
My last 150+ mph jaunt on the continent seemed to suggest my 96'500 is pretty stable, but am I missing some important aerodynamic improvement?
My last 150+ mph jaunt on the continent seemed to suggest my 96'500 is pretty stable, but am I missing some important aerodynamic improvement?
After carefully choosing only roads with no sleeping policemen to keep my spoiler intact I went into the PC World car park yesterday and was chatting to the missus as we parked up and smashed the thing against the kerb when we stopped 
Tw@t.
Anyway, have pulled two of the 'rivets' from the GRP on the left hand side – I'm gonna jack it up and have a look later after the GP but should I just loose the rivets and self-tap it back on?
Should be OK I'd have thought. Any comments?
Tw@t.
Anyway, have pulled two of the 'rivets' from the GRP on the left hand side – I'm gonna jack it up and have a look later after the GP but should I just loose the rivets and self-tap it back on?
Should be OK I'd have thought. Any comments?
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