front spoiler

[Tomwri]

Only had my Birkin for a few months but Ive learned its squirely above 100mph. Anyone tried front spoilers or air dams? Any info on them?

 

Thanks!

Tom

[Kitcat]

Make sure it is aligned correctly with the specs Dick Brink recommends.Check every nut and bolt in the suspension, check engine mounts, steering rack and anything else that can come loose front and back. My Birkin's squirelyness was always due to something in those areas.

[yellowss7]

Kitcat, he's probably not going off track as much as you. And your car wasn't squirrelly, you are just NUTS. :smilielol5:

[Davemk1]

The Seven shape is pretty darn good at creating front end lift - my Westy would lift and understeer in a big way when accelerating hard above 70 mph.

 

I then made a very simple splitter and the push is gone and things are nice and stable at speed.

 

dave

[xcarguy]

Tom,

 

Hello and welcome to the forum. First, I second Kitcat's suggestions; in short, make sure the car is well sorted and dialed in so to speak. After that, I believe these (see photo) were being made available for Birkins at one time. This may be a good starting point:

 

http://www.texasmotorworks7.com/parts#

 

BTW, Dave, great looking car....and I really like the splitter!

 

:cheers:

[Kitcat]

Dave: I too love the pic of your Westfield. How 'bout some more over in the member rides section? Love the color choice as well, esp with the yellow nose ring. Whole car looks well thought-out. Also looks like you have enough rubber:).

[t walgamuth]

I am considering something like this for my autocross car.

[yellowss7]

Just curious, when I use to autox, top speed was probably around 65-70 for the bigger lots/airstrip that we use to run on. Even that speed was not held for more than a couple seconds. Do you really gain much downforce at the slow speeds of autoxing? Tom

[xcarguy]

Just curious, when I use to autox, top speed was probably around 65-70 for the bigger lots/airstrip that we use to run on. Even that speed was not held for more than a couple seconds. Do you really gain much downforce at the slow speeds of autoxing? Tom

 

Tom,

 

It's all about the looks. Why do you think I really run (ran) wings? :jester: BTW, last photos of the Storker prior to TWS accident.

Edited May 28, 2015 by xcarguy

[yellowss7]

Shane, I was trying to be diplomatic, :bs: You on the other hand, definitely proved to me that down force can make a difference on the track. I know the 500 or so HP of your car helped lower your times a bit, but you were consistently turning 1:09's on Lightning, your first day at the track. The fastest time I've seen from any other Caterham driver without aero, was Dr. Doug in an R500, and his best is 1:13.01 during a time trial event. Your car was just hooked up thru the turns. It's either the car or you are a driving god. :driving: Hope you are getting better. Tom

[xcarguy]

Shane, I was trying to be diplomatic, :bs: You on the other hand, definitely proved to me that down force can make a difference on the track. I know the 500 or so HP of your car helped lower your times a bit, but you were consistently turning 1:09's on Lightning, your first day at the track. The fastest time I've seen from any other Caterham driver without aero, was Dr. Doug in an R500, and his best is 1:13.01 during a time trial event. Your car was just hooked up thru the turns. It's either the car or you are a driving god. :driving: Hope you are getting better. Tom

 

 

Tom,

 

You've gone from diplomatic to modest......I ran 1:09's because I was trying to catch you and that elusive, big sneakered, yellow devil!:jester:

[yellowss7]

I wish. If Croc ever gets off his duff and puts the video together, the tape will not lie. Sorry for the thread Hijack!

 

My question is still a real one, Does aero help at autox speeds???

[Davemk1]

I wish. If Croc ever gets off his duff and puts the video together, the tape will not lie. Sorry for the thread Hijack!

 

My question is still a real one, Does aero help at autox speeds???

 

I solo my Westfield a good bit........it's as much a street car as a race car but I love racing it. We have events that take place at a very large facility and speeds are consistently pretty high with 70 mph slaloms being common. My Westfield would get front end lift and dramatic understeer at 65-70 mph under full throttle and it would barely change direction. I think is is largely due to the rearward weight shift of being full on with the throttle as it will cruise and turn at 70 mph and the front didn't feel overly light.

 

I designed and built the front splitter to reduce the front end lift and it seems to do the job. It feels much more connected and the high speed understeer is gone. On the road it has a more settled and hunkered down feeling at speed.

 

So does aero make a difference in solo? I'd say it depends. If the solo is being held in a small lot with just s short burst to 60 mph in a straight line and turns being taken at 35 mph then I would guess there is little to be gained.......if on the other and the event is big and open and one is making turns at 70+ mph then my experience says that yes it makes a difference.

 

dave

[xcarguy]

Tomwri (and Tom :jester:), this may be worth a visit (revisit), especially post #27 (the three links to the right) in the thread:

 

http://www.usa7s.net/vb/showthread.php?9898-Drag-Drag-and-More-Drag&highlight=caterham+aero

[Tbox56]

Hi Tom,

 

The chin spoilers on the red and the yellow cars shown in one of the earlier post are items I had made, I still have some. If you are interested send me a PM or give me a call.

 

Tom

970-376-5188