at what point does a Turbo SE spoiler actually work

[benjamincalleja]

hey just wondering if the SE spoiler does much at legal speeds.  When does it actually start producing downforce?

[mpesik]

Hello.

I am not a scientist but I compare the rear wing design to my 928 s4 and my 928 GT....that I had.

I just sold my 89 Esprit with the same wing design.

From what I know about the 928 wing, the downforce at speed..plus 100 mph was less than 70 pounds.

I figure the same for the Esprit.

Cosmetic and down force is negligible.

[DanR]

Most downforce occurs when closing the boot.

[ramjet]

I believe Bibs said on the forum once before that the only Esprit wing that really had any effect was the Sport 350 wing and even then only the outer ends of it.

 

At legal street speeds, they look nice. Especially the S4 one.

[Bibs]

It's a spoiler so it's job is to smooth the airflow to reduce drag. Its not a wing as such.

You can tell the difference as a spoiler will be pretty much parallel to the ground and a wing will have an angle, even if just on it's trailing edge.

The only down force it provides on most Esprit's apart from the 350 as noted is the weight of it! The duck tail on the early turbos and GT3 provides significantly more aerodynamic downforce.

[ramjet]

but the S4 wing is the besterest looking one...............

[Bibs]

True, it's just a shame where they mounted it!

[Vanya]

Highwing 4ever.

[arbell9]

Discussion on wings

 

http://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/topic/20647-wings/page-1

 

http://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/topic/20647-wings/?p=207374

[Exploded]

I believe fifth gear did some testing on spoilers, when they did the piece about the 200mph Esprit.
The best thing was to remove any spoiler and cover the boot, like the early Stevens had, if I'm not mistaken.
 
Edit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM7NbL9Be0s

Edited August 4, 2014 by Exploded

[ramjet]

True, it's just a shame where they mounted it!

 

Could Teigan please come to the front counter? I repeat, Could Teigan please come to the front counter?

[Bibs]

Thrown your own handbags!

[benjamincalleja]

Hehe. Soooo removing the wing will theoretically then increase my accelerations times by removing drag....O_o?? Problem with that I then I have holes in my boot .... It may not be a problem though, if anyone is interested I'm looking into getting the bonnet, rear hatch deck and both doors remade in carbon fiber. With the whiz bang 3D printing these days making the mould (the expensive part) is now affordable, I'm seeing the guys next week. Total cost might only be 9-10k. Anyone want a copy?? I will paint over mine in original pearl white, I just want my esprit to weigh the 1290kg it's meant to, rather than the 1400kg wet tare weight I discovered it actually is...

The headlamp pods might be able to be done in carbon fiber too, as well as front and rear spoilers but I'm hesitant there given they are rubberised impact structures.

[Bibs]

Exactly the opposite. Removing the wing will increase drag which is why I said up there that its job is to reduce drag.

Just as an aside, rather than spending $10k on carbon fibre, spend some money on driver training you you want to go faster

[Advantage]

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/

[benjamincalleja]

lol, the point is more weight than anything else, and i held a few lap records in the day here and there so i do ok

[rogerch]

The wing does nothing, it doesn't produce down force, it doesn't smooth out air flow, with the exception of the 350 by Lotus's own admission wings are cosmetic. Mine rests nicely on top of my home aircon unit.

The holes in rear deck are filled with little rubber stoppers from Clarks Rubber, just in case the next possibly idiot owner wants to put it back on.

Oh it does have one use, if you gas struts are buggered it makes a good handle to lift the boot with. I got new struts.

Wings are for boy racers, leave it to the boys.

[Vanya]

Didn't the Highwing raise its top speed to 165 km/h from 163 km/h thanks to the wing and bib?

I would also argue the wing makes a difference from 0 km/h just by looking awesome. The SE wing gets a lot of compliments for being so old school and discrete.....

The bombastic wrap-around thing on the back of the early V8s is even cooler

[Jacques]

I fully agree with Vanya

 

Cheers,

Jacques.

[Escape]

I fully agree with Vanya

 

Cheers,

Jacques.

 

So do I!

But the Sport 350 spoiler is very tempting as well...

 

Filip