www.massgsm.com/redhottips/


 
 

< HOMEPAGE

Optimizing the Aerodynamic Balance of your Car
By: Miroslav Ovcharik

Aerodynamics can be used to control the handling of a car in high-speed corners (greater than approximately 60 mph). Aerodynamic components push down on the car, or create downforce, which helps the tires maintain better traction. The two main aerodynamic upgrades are front bumpers and rear wings. While these two components can increase cornering speeds when installed on your car, they will also increase drag and limit your top speed.

Aerodynamic components should only be used to tune high speed cornering characteristics. They will have little or no effect on low-speed handling. Additionally, aerodynamics should be relied upon to increase the overall grip of your car. It should not be used to correct severe understeer or oversteer. Try to rely upon mechanical suspension tuning to control understeer/oversteer. Only turn to aerodynamics as a last resort. This is because aerodynamic grip cannot always be relied upon in a racing situation. For instance, if you are closely following another car, there will be less air flowing over your car because the car in front is breaking through the air for you. The reduced airflow (and therefore downforce) on your car will cause you to lose grip. If you rely heavily on aerodynamics to improve handling, your car will become difficult to drive when you are in close proximity with other cars.

Aerodynamic components work by deflecting air in a way to create a downward force on the car. Air hits the car at an angle, which pushes the car into the ground. At the same time, the air gets deflected up and over the car. Aggressively sloped front bumpers and large wings will generally create more downforce than small wings and mild front bumpers.

Usually, it is not possible to adjust the amount of front downforce without changing your front bumper. However, wings often have inserts and angle adjustments that can be used to change rear downforce. By increasing wing angle or adding wing inserts, you increase downforce on the rear of the car. This pushes the rear wheels more firmly into the ground and prevents them from slipping. Oversteer can be corrected in this way. If your car understeers in high-speed corners, you can reduce the angle of the wing or take out wing inserts to reduce rear downforce and correct the understeer. Keep in mind that adding downforce will help you increase your cornering speeds but will lower your top speed due to the extra drag. Still, you will usually want to maximize the downforce because the majority of road courses do not have very long straights. On a track with long straights, reducing downforce (and therefore drag) may improve your lap times.

Visit my website for more information about tuning for aerodynamic balance: www.240edge.com

About The Author

Miroslav Ovcharik

I have been an automotive enthusiast throughout my life and have participated successfully in various amateur racing series. I specialize in tuning the Nissan S platform cars, particularly the US domestic market Nissan 240SX. Visit my website www.240edge.com, which focuses on Nissan 240SX modifications, to get information about suspension setup, quality upgrades, and general 240SX tuning.

Feel free to republish my articles, but please include a text link to my website www.240edge.com.


Return to Index

NAVIGATION


Fuel Tips For The Car
Consumer Update The 2007 Shelby Mustang Cobra
Simple Tips To Save Gas
Gas Costs Need Not Break Your Bank
Hybrid Cars Save Money
Some Important Things To Remember When You Buy Used Cars
A Car Donation in Boston the Easy Way
Land Rovers Resilient But Absent Defender
BMWs Hydrogen Fuel Quest
Save on Gas Sensibly and Sanely
The Characteristics of Antique Cars
Controversial Rolls Royce Plant Delayed
Motor Sports Goes Online
Porsche 911 Performs Best Over Others
Car Navigation Sytem Your New Driving Personal Assistant
Dodge SRT8 Charger Not Just Another Family Sedan
Tricking Out Your Dodge Ram SRT10
Mercedes Blue New Diesels Miss the Mark
Chryslers Rip Roaring SRT Family of Vehicles
Be Safe Dodge the Most Common RV Claims
RV Windshield Damage Repair Options
Save Fuel Save Money
How To Get Your Cars Engine To Temperature
The Importance of Car Information
Switch Grass As A Possible Alternative Fuel
Custom Wheels And Rims Sizes Colors And Specifications
The Budget way to Modifying your Car
Several Car Web Sites
Scooter Buying Tips Finding A Light Weight Scooter
Cheap Car Insurance Online
I Finally Found a Polaris Youth ATV
Golf Cart Seat Covers
Golf Cart Rims
Car Alarm Systems Come Under Fire
Car Alarm Reviews
Choosing the Right Horse Trailer
Tuning Adjustable Shock Absorbers
Finding the Optimum Gear Ratios for your Car
The Brand New Lexus ES 350
Optimizing the Aerodynamic Balance of your Car
Using Brake Bias Adjustment to Improve CornerEntry Handling
Choosing an Appropriate Body Kit for your Car and Applicatio ...
Using GPS Tracking to Protect Your Vehicles
Keep Your Investment Safe With Vehicle Tracking
Vehicle Tracking System
Suspension Alignment Understanding and Adjusting Caster
Suspension Alignment Understanding and Adjusting Toe
Choosing the Right Aftermarket Springs for your Car
Selecting and Adjusting Aftermarket AntiRoll Bars
Used Car Buyers Get Relief from California Bill of Rights
Nissan Micra CC Pink Is Back
Front Bias Left Bias and Cross Weight Suspension Tuning with ...
Suspension Alignment Understanding and Adjusting Camber
Selecting Tires for RaceStreet Use and Adjusting Tire Pressu ...
Boat Trailers For Sale Finding a Good Deal
Boat Trailers A Must Have For Boat Owners
Coming Soon To A Garage Near You The Hybrid Car
Repairing or Replacing Your Automotive Headliner
Auto Transport Tips For Transporting Your Vehicle
Understanding Handling Characteristics in Relation to Race S ...
Semi Truck Accessories 5 Trick My Truck Tips For Truckers
Cars Gas Mileage Estimation
Explaining The World Of Gas Scooters
The Oil Change Sticker A Low Cost And Effective Sales Tool
Automobile Financing Know Your Options
Antique Classics Cars That Last
Different Tonneau Covers For Different Trucks
Types Of Scooters Know The Importance Of Electric Scooters
Repairing Scooters Ways To Keep Your Scooter Alive
Boat Propellers First Time Prop Replacement
Tips to Search for an Auto Insurance Policy
Automobile Financing Know Your Options
Auto Auction
Leasing a Car the Smart Way
Classic Car Insurance Discover The Essential Facts
Car Safety
Fitting Auto Body Kits
Biodiesel And Its Many Uses
Using Byproducts to Fuel Hydrogen Cars
All About Hybrid Cars
Orgs And Services For Vintage Buick And Chevrolet Enthusiast ...
Getting The Right Skid Plates
Auto Insurance The Internet A Marriage Made In Heaven
Repair Shops Ordering Tires For Your Car
Handguard Installation Made easy
Tonneau Covers Protection For Your Truck
Buying Car
Car Insurance What Is Liability And Collision Insurance
Naming A Car After A Boat Chevrolet Corvette
Expansion Of Auto Industry In Russia

© 2006 - www.massgsm.com/redhottips/ - All Rights Reserved