After a trip to SCCA Solo Nationals, we decided to ramp up the performance of our project Formula 500 autocrosser.
With grip being one of the most important aspects of an autocross car, we decided to induce more downforce with a set of wings. To make sure our added aero performed as efficiently as…
That looks like a blast!
You'll get a LOT more out of those wings if they're in ground effect - more AoA before the stall and less drag. Mount the rear wing so that its lower edge "pulls" on the back of the tunnel.
chaparral wrote: You'll get a LOT more out of those wings if they're in ground effect - more AoA before the stall and less drag. Mount the rear wing so that its lower edge "pulls" on the back of the tunnel.
The original intent was to mount the front (at least) in ground effect, but the mounting proved trickier than we originally thought. And for the rear to have any effect on the diffuser it would lose a lot of forward exposure, so the decision was made to get it as high as practical and keep it up in clean air.
Both rear and front mounts need little love before the "official" testing, though. Still, our quick "proof of concept" outing was mighty impressive.
So are you going to stuff 20sq-ft of 6 element wings on it? I applaud the effort. We did something similar to an older FSAE chassis with noticeable gains.
Yes if your going to run A-mod might as well use A-mod sized wings not those little toy units.
The size of the wings was partially dictated by the design goals. JG told me what he wanted and I designed to that limit. Can't wait for the testing phase to begin... I think the numbers will impress a few of you.
Steve Stafford
kevlarcorolla wrote: Yes if your going to run A-mod might as well use A-mod sized wings not those little toy units.
The downside there is I don't have AMod horsepower to push them along.
Although, there was a supercharged jet ski with that 494 Rotax in it at one point... Hmm...
The coolest thing abut driving with aero is it makes you sort of abandon your instincts. If you feel a little slip angle building on the front, where you'd normally back off and let the tires bite again, you have this intense desire to just gun it and try and get more speed to produce more downforce to get those bastards to stick again. Sometimes it works.
JG Pasterjak wrote:kevlarcorolla wrote: Yes if your going to run A-mod might as well use A-mod sized wings not those little toy units.The downside there is I don't have AMod horsepower to push them along. Although, there was a supercharged jet ski with that 494 Rotax in it at one point... Hmm... The coolest thing abut driving with aero is it makes you sort of abandon your instincts. If you feel a little slip angle building on the front, where you'd normally back off and let the tires bite again, you have this intense desire to just gun it and try and get more speed to produce more downforce to get those bastards to stick again. Sometimes it works.
That sounds delightful. I have nothing in my future that sounds like it could get me there, but now I want to see what that's like.
I've driven with 20 sq feet of wing....yes its as awesome as it sounds.
I considered taking my f500 to a-mod(before I found out my neck hated that thing)and it would seem that the rotax engines are very lego like.It sounds like the 800cc twin will exchange with the 494 easily,clearly not up to AM front runner power status but the 800 and big wings with that F500 buy in cost is WAAAY less $$ to run almost as quick.
Oh and since your in AM anyways please please ditch those stupid hockey puck suspension canisters,hit ebay up for some cheap 3 way adjustable sport bike dampers and step into the 20 century.
kevlarcorolla wrote: Oh and since your in AM anyways please please ditch those stupid hockey puck suspension canisters,hit ebay up for some cheap 3 way adjustable sport bike dampers and step into the 20 century.
Don't think I haven't looked :)
JG Pasterjak wrote:kevlarcorolla wrote: Oh and since your in AM anyways please please ditch those stupid hockey puck suspension canisters,hit ebay up for some cheap 3 way adjustable sport bike dampers and step into the 20 century.Don't think I haven't looked :)
Knew I could count on you,I think there is much potential to be unlocked.
I forget cab Amod run direct action aero (loads uprights directly)?
JG a friend and one time F125 champ told me he tried and A-Mod car once and his words were "floor it and steer as fast as you can" the video seems to confirm that, especially in the slaloms.
We have discussed A-Mod as well, I only ever plan to run local autocross and we've been beating up what motor will eventually replace the AMW motor. Going to A-Mod would allow us to do kooky things like run a Yamaha TDM 850 or 750 snowmobile engine.
Tom
JG, has there been any activity on this car? Shelved, sold, or still going and just not writing about it?
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