Track Pack Spoiler Effectiveness ?

[bmarco]

Has anyone seen any Ford or other source that actually documents the benefits, if any, of the track pack spoiler ?

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[Austinj427]

Ford is pretty tight lipped about that stuff.

There is an "in the know" member on here I spoke to a year or so ago about the R wing, and if I remember correctly, the downforce numbers from the R wing are less than impressive. It sits too low.

The TP wing likely doesn't do much.

 

[nastang87xx]

Ford claims more down force than a 991 GT3 on the GT350R. Which actually isn't all that much to begin with either to be honest.

If anything, the Track Pack spoiler helps with drag reduction and a touch of down force. A real wing will interact with the top and bottom of the airfoil which will cause lift or down force and ALWAYS comes with a drag penalty. Spoilers are made to redirect slip streams which can add an element of SOME down force but usually not much. Then generally don't come with as much of a drag penalty and in some cases can even improve drag coefficient. There was quite a discussion about statics and dynamics a while ago and while some things may seem counter intuitive or not very effective, nothing is cut and dry when it comes to aerodynamics. The smallest things can make a huge difference.

 

[Caballus]

Has anyone seen any Ford or other source that actually documents the benefits, if any, of the track pack spoiler ?

Installed CF TP spoiler this spring. Have the fortune of regularly driving on the autobahn. Can't provide stats, but can definitely tell the difference, especially above 180kph (110) or so. Huge difference from tech spoiler.

 

[firestarter2]

Interesting!

 

[Stuntman]

Ford claims more down force than a 991 GT3 on the GT350R. Which actually isn't all that much to begin with either to be honest.

If anything, the Track Pack spoiler helps with drag reduction and a touch of down force. A real wing will interact with the top and bottom of the airfoil which will cause lift or down force and ALWAYS comes with a drag penalty. Spoilers are made to redirect slip streams which can add an element of SOME down force but usually not much. Then generally don't come with as much of a drag penalty and in some cases can even improve drag coefficient. There was quite a discussion about statics and dynamics a while ago and while some things may seem counter intuitive or not very effective, nothing is cut and dry when it comes to aerodynamics. The smallest things can make a huge difference.

Spoilers are very effective at making downforce by creating a high pressure area at the front of the blade and on top of the trunk. Nascar has used them for decades and the Z28 makes a good amount of downforce and is very stable at speed. They do far more than just "redirect air".

 

[nastang87xx]

Spoilers are very effective at making downforce by creating a high pressure area at the front of the blade and on top of the trunk. Nascar has used them for decades and the Z28 makes a good amount of downforce and is very stable at speed. They do far more than just "redirect air".

I think the distinction we're looking for is that they CAN do more than just "redirect air" but that is their primary function. What the affect of that redirection is will be entirely up to the designers and engineers. The spoiler on the Z06/Z07 is a great example. It provides a ton of down force but also produces a lot of drag. Does it have to be designed that way? Well, honestly no clue because I didn't design it but it was clearly done that way for a reason.

My favorite article on the whole topic that doesn't take things too far nor is just puddle deep: https://oppositelock.kinja.com/wings-spoilers-youre-probably-doing-it-wrong-1665312667

 

[svttim]

Not sure about the track pack spoiler but, I can comment on the GT500 spoiler. I dont have figures but, ford put the standard V6 spoiler on the 500KR because the 500 spoiler resulted in much more drag. I would think any non adjustable spoiler is a compromise between downforce, drag and aesthetics. Recently at Road America, I ran a half degree on my race car. I took it out after being passed by an R. It didn't happen any more

 

[Stuntman]

I think the distinction we're looking for is that they CAN do more than just "redirect air" but that is their primary function. What the affect of that redirection is will be entirely up to the designers and engineers. The spoiler on the Z06/Z07 is a great example. It provides a ton of down force but also produces a lot of drag. Does it have to be designed that way? Well, honestly no clue because I didn't design it but it was clearly done that way for a reason.

My favorite article on the whole topic that doesn't take things too far nor is just puddle deep: https://oppositelock.kinja.com/wings-spoilers-youre-probably-doing-it-wrong-1665312667

Not exactly .their "primary function" is to create pressure differentials. High pressure in front and low pressure behind. This low pressure area helps keep airflow attached in use on an airfoil.

All aero devices have a lift:drag ratio. Pretty much anytime you add downforce you also add drag. Airfoils have a far better l/d than spoilers. This is a big part why the zr1 has a higher top speed and more downforce than the Z06.

 

[bmarco]

I purchased a Track Pack spoiler for my Tech Pack car. One thing I noticed is that my car consistently gets better mileage than what most report here which led me to think that maybe all the Track Pack spoiler was doing was adding drag to no real benefit. I could care less about the mileage but if all the spoiler does is add drag, I can certainly live without it.

 

[Stuntman]

It'll add downforce and stability. If you don't track your car or can use those benefits, then the drag penalty isn't worth it.

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