It's nice being Joe's guiney pig, I get to test out cool parts. After developing two different splitters and dive planes for our cars, Joe is currently working on a gurney flap for the stock rear wing. Here are a few pics of his current prototype. It's still a work in progress, and he's currently working to extend the ends so they wrap around the corners a bit. It's not just a strip on the top, but also extends slightly down the back of the wing, so will have good surface area for bonding with thin double-sided tape. Should hopefully be good for a bit more downforce without generating a lot of drag.

Thoughts?

 

Very interested.

Is the ram air duct a Joe Toth part?

 

looks good. Let us know more.

 

The ram air duct was on the car when I bought it, I think it's FVD.

Joe texted me today and says he'll post a photo of the modified gurney flap once he gets some gel coat on it. He's working on forming a smoother transition at the ends.

That's pretty much all I know right now. I'm looking forward to seeing the final product on my car. Joe's interested in any feedback or suggestions that people have, and would like to know how much interest there would be in this piece.

 

Looks great - very interested.

 

does anyone have proof that a gurney provides more df?
I'll explain why I ask ...
I've read - sorry can't remember where - that they only help clear the air behind you
ie leave less swirly air in your wake
and Carrera cup introduced them as they helped with closer racing
as they make it easier for the car behind you to slip stream.
??

 

Although this specific part was obviously not developed with aerodynamic computer models or a wind tunnel, yes they are absolutely proven to generate additional downforce with only a small drag penalty. They're still used in all forms of racing, and you'll find more info on the internet.

http://allamericanracers.com/the-gurney-flap/

http://www.formula1-dictionary.net/gurney_flap.html

 

Okay, here are some new photos I just got from Joe. You can see how the ends of the Gurney flap now transition smoothly into the corners of the wing. I personally think it looks amazing.

What do you folks think? If people like it I think this will be the production piece. Not sure on his ETA as he now needs to make the molds, which I understand is quite time consuming. I don't know what his price will be on this piece (you can contact him at tei@telus.net or 1-604-329-9391), but I'm sure it'll be ridiculously cheap given his time and materials investment.

 

Would love to see one of these made for the lower part of the spoiler similar to a 997

 

I was talking to Joe about a flap for the lower lip, but -

(1) It's benefit would surely be marginal to non-existent for people like me who run a ram air intake.

(2) The gurney flap for the main wing element seems to me to be a great alternative for people who want improved aero on the back, but either don't want to move to an RS wing or can't afford it.

(3) Joe's now developed 4 devices for our cars to increase downforce at the front, so I suggested he consider this as a way to help balance out the front to rear aero. I plan to test this flap next track season by logging laptimes and monitoring high speed turn stability with various shim configurations.

(4) Joe's a busy guy (with a day job) and I can't convince him to do everything. If enough people want a lower flap, I'm sure he'd consider building it. He does this just for fun, so I think he'd consider anything as long as he thinks enough people would be interested for him to at least break even on his time and materials invested. Feel free to contact him if you have any suggestions for parts you'd like to see him build (in fg, cf or urethane).

 

Like that look much better than the first prototype.
Interested in what you find out with track testing.
Nice to see this guy into making things for our cars.

 

looks great if I could just fine a car to buy I'll get one.

 

I'd be in. Good excuse to finally get the canards too.

 

Great looking piece!

 

Not to sound like a negative nancy, but guys w/o some sort of testing of these parts for actual aero effectiveness they are just nice looking. The definition of a Gurney flap isn't testing.