TurboS Aerodynamics
08-24-2014, 06:11 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
TurboS Aerodynamics
I thought there was something wrong with my rear spoiler. I have been blessed to have owned 996 and 997 turbos in the past. In the past I was able to clearly see the rear spoiler when I got over 75 mph. My wife and I took the S out for a drive, and while over 75mph, I could see the rear spoiler raised very slightly, and I was able to see it with my side mirror, but not the rear view mirror. I thought something was wrong with the spoiler. I then hit the sports plus button, and was able to see the spoiler easily, in my rear view mirror. I was still confused, so I googled it and ran across this video. I'm sure most of you know this already, but I was amazed! I'm still not clear as to what speed you have to hit to get the spoiler to full retract. This car is amazing! I had an Escort 9500ci installed, with the escort live module. I will try to post pics soon....
Last edited by TestnDoc; 08-25-2014 at 11:52 PM.
08-25-2014, 01:09 PM
#3
Rennlist Member
Initially I had the same concern -- seems like 78mph is the magic number in my car to get the rear spoiler to deploy in SPORT mode. As I slow below 50mph, then I can see it scoot down again. At first I wasn't sure it was working because I didn't immediately see it the way you obviously can in SPORT PLUS when it pops right up.
I did figure out though that I _can_ just about see it deployed in SPORT -- in the center along the edge of the rear screen as you look at it in the rear view mirror there's a body color 2-3" box-like structure that's part of the rear deck. When the spoiler is not deployed, all I can see on either side of that is the road surface behind me. If I sit up tall when in SPORT and the wing is deployed, I can see a thin band of body color either side of that box -- the top surface of the tailing edge of the wing.
By the way, if you have the roof there's an easier way to test the SPORT mode wing operation. If you open the roof and crack on through 75+ mph then the wing pops up much more; probably to the same height as the SPORT PLUS position and then of course it's much more obviously visible without any neck-craning.
I did figure out though that I _can_ just about see it deployed in SPORT -- in the center along the edge of the rear screen as you look at it in the rear view mirror there's a body color 2-3" box-like structure that's part of the rear deck. When the spoiler is not deployed, all I can see on either side of that is the road surface behind me. If I sit up tall when in SPORT and the wing is deployed, I can see a thin band of body color either side of that box -- the top surface of the tailing edge of the wing.
By the way, if you have the roof there's an easier way to test the SPORT mode wing operation. If you open the roof and crack on through 75+ mph then the wing pops up much more; probably to the same height as the SPORT PLUS position and then of course it's much more obviously visible without any neck-craning.
Last edited by boxer-11; 08-25-2014 at 01:10 PM. Reason: added note about speed at which the wing drops
08-25-2014, 04:31 PM
#5
I'm pretty sure I read in one of the manuals that the spoilers deploy differently for fuel efficiency than they will for track use.
For fuel efficiency like on the highway it most likely won't deploy all the way because it is working to maximize gas mileage. The front spoiler will also deploy somewhat but not fully to help with gas mileage. SO the little bit it does deploy means it's doing what it intends to do.
In Sport Plus mode the spoilers, front and back, deploy fully to maximize downforce to keep you stuck to the road. Hope this helps.
For fuel efficiency like on the highway it most likely won't deploy all the way because it is working to maximize gas mileage. The front spoiler will also deploy somewhat but not fully to help with gas mileage. SO the little bit it does deploy means it's doing what it intends to do.
In Sport Plus mode the spoilers, front and back, deploy fully to maximize downforce to keep you stuck to the road. Hope this helps.
08-25-2014, 05:25 PM
#6
Rennlist Member
My understanding is similar to robziv's. I wouldn't claim that this is definitive; it's an amalgam of what I've read in the manual and various other journalist sources. I could easily be wrong on some of this but FWIW, here's what I _think_ I know:
I was under the impression that in normal mode the active aero, front splitter and rear wing, do not deploy at all.
In SPORT mode the left/right side portions of the front splitter deploy (but the center part of that remains stowed) and the rear wing will pop up a bit. I read in the manual 75mph for this but like I said, it seems I have to be over 78mph for more than a couple of seconds [there's some hysteresis in the algorithm, I'm sure] for the aero elements to deploy. I further understood that this isn't progressive...the splitter and wing move from stowed to one fixed position and that's it.
In SPORT PLUS the design objective is more track oriented, which brings in cornering performance and argues for more down force. Here out-and-out straight line speed is less of a concern so accepting a bit more drag for the extra down force is an OK trade off. Thus in SPORT PLUS the wing pops up higher and tilts to a higher angle of attack and the entirety of the front splitter deploys. More down force is generated but equally more drag results. Again, it's my understanding that the positions the aero elements move to is fixed though -- it's just different to the positions used for SPORT.
I'm fairly sure I read that the absolute straight line top speed of the car will be reachable in SPORT, _not_ SPORT PLUS owing to the extra drag of the front splitter and high placement and angle of attack for the rear wing.
I was under the impression that in normal mode the active aero, front splitter and rear wing, do not deploy at all.
In SPORT mode the left/right side portions of the front splitter deploy (but the center part of that remains stowed) and the rear wing will pop up a bit. I read in the manual 75mph for this but like I said, it seems I have to be over 78mph for more than a couple of seconds [there's some hysteresis in the algorithm, I'm sure] for the aero elements to deploy. I further understood that this isn't progressive...the splitter and wing move from stowed to one fixed position and that's it.
In SPORT PLUS the design objective is more track oriented, which brings in cornering performance and argues for more down force. Here out-and-out straight line speed is less of a concern so accepting a bit more drag for the extra down force is an OK trade off. Thus in SPORT PLUS the wing pops up higher and tilts to a higher angle of attack and the entirety of the front splitter deploys. More down force is generated but equally more drag results. Again, it's my understanding that the positions the aero elements move to is fixed though -- it's just different to the positions used for SPORT.
I'm fairly sure I read that the absolute straight line top speed of the car will be reachable in SPORT, _not_ SPORT PLUS owing to the extra drag of the front splitter and high placement and angle of attack for the rear wing.
08-25-2014, 06:13 PM
#7
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Interesting. My rear spoiler does rise about 20mm in normal mode, when I hit about 75mph. In my turbo, I do not have to be in sport mode to actuate the rear spoiler. Thanks.
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08-26-2014, 01:06 AM
#9
Rennlist Member
Seems like I am learning something new and interesting about this car every day.
08-30-2014, 05:01 PM
#10
Rennlist Member
Sure enough -- I ran a test in normal more (no SPORT or SPORT PLUS lights): the rear wing moves at just the same speed thresholds as in SPORT mode. I stand corrected!