Evo VIII Aero
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
This is a very interesting post and I have enjoyed the conversations that have taken place because if it.
DHP Composites started back in FSAE when we were approached to build the schools first “aero package” as in the above picture. This packaged weighed in at approximately 28 pounds and was installed on the non aero designed 465 pound race car. The first aero test weekend netted a 11% decrease in lap times with simply bolting the system on the car. This testing was done at auto X speeds for FSAE (25 – 32 mph average speed courses). The greatest improvements we could get out of the package in the limited testing were approximately 15% faster on the track than without the aero.
Evolutionary has a great car and has had a couple different aero packages and has done a lot of R&D testing for DHP at his autocross speeds. I guess I will just throw this out the aero package on Evolutionary’s car helps make him 2 - 5% faster than without the package at his normal autocross speeds. This can be found many different ways. I guess one way you could look this up is to compare his times at the latest 2008 Topeka Nationals. If you look at the “full bodied” cars in the North Final Results and their combined times Evolutionary’s car was two of the 8 cars to run times sub 80 seconds. This puts his times about mid to 2/3 pack for the FSAE cars around the same course.
I am not claiming that aero packages are the only items to help cars go fast, but it does definitely help the cars to get to another level of performance and a 2% improvement is enormous in any form of racing.
Sincerely,
David
DHP Composites
DHP Composites started back in FSAE when we were approached to build the schools first “aero package” as in the above picture. This packaged weighed in at approximately 28 pounds and was installed on the non aero designed 465 pound race car. The first aero test weekend netted a 11% decrease in lap times with simply bolting the system on the car. This testing was done at auto X speeds for FSAE (25 – 32 mph average speed courses). The greatest improvements we could get out of the package in the limited testing were approximately 15% faster on the track than without the aero.
Evolutionary has a great car and has had a couple different aero packages and has done a lot of R&D testing for DHP at his autocross speeds. I guess I will just throw this out the aero package on Evolutionary’s car helps make him 2 - 5% faster than without the package at his normal autocross speeds. This can be found many different ways. I guess one way you could look this up is to compare his times at the latest 2008 Topeka Nationals. If you look at the “full bodied” cars in the North Final Results and their combined times Evolutionary’s car was two of the 8 cars to run times sub 80 seconds. This puts his times about mid to 2/3 pack for the FSAE cars around the same course.
I am not claiming that aero packages are the only items to help cars go fast, but it does definitely help the cars to get to another level of performance and a 2% improvement is enormous in any form of racing.
Sincerely,
David
DHP Composites
Here are a couple more pics of my car in action. The first is trail braking into a high "G" corner. The second is at steady state or accelerating slightly. You can see that even with the very stiff springs we run, there is still a bunch of body roll.
I've seen pics of the Cyber EVO, whose splitter is about 6" wider than mine, and it appears to have almost NO body roll in corners. It would be interesting to see how their suspension is set up to make best use of their aero . . .
I've seen pics of the Cyber EVO, whose splitter is about 6" wider than mine, and it appears to have almost NO body roll in corners. It would be interesting to see how their suspension is set up to make best use of their aero . . .
12K-F/16K-R? Or higher....
It's not like posting your spring rates is going to make you less competitive. I think it will be helpful to put some metric behind the amount you can lower the car/mount a splitter vs body roll and spring rates.
It's not like posting your spring rates is going to make you less competitive. I think it will be helpful to put some metric behind the amount you can lower the car/mount a splitter vs body roll and spring rates.
Evolving Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 398
Likes: 0
From: Dubai
I love Evolutionary's setup and would LOVE to see how those side skirts and splitter were made and attached to the car. *hint* *hint* 
Has anyone experimented with the idea of active aero? A buddy of mine who set up Formula 2 cars was suggesting I modify my rear wing by adding springs to the trailing edge mounts and a bearing setup to the leading edge mounts...idea being that, by using different springs, that the wing would flatted out on high speed sections and the angle attack would increase in lower speed corners, giving more downforce.
Would something as simple as that work? No electronics etc, just springs.?
Has anyone experimented with the idea of active aero? A buddy of mine who set up Formula 2 cars was suggesting I modify my rear wing by adding springs to the trailing edge mounts and a bearing setup to the leading edge mounts...idea being that, by using different springs, that the wing would flatted out on high speed sections and the angle attack would increase in lower speed corners, giving more downforce.
Would something as simple as that work? No electronics etc, just springs.?
Here are some pics of when I first got the whole thing built. The lower skirts are slotted so they can be raised or lowered.
Last edited by EVOlutionary; Dec 9, 2008 at 10:05 AM.
Similar to the idea that I have... taking the side skirt extensions that I have coming, and making some channels that guide air from under the car.
Do you have any documentation on how that helps, or efficiency ideas?
Do you have any documentation on how that helps, or efficiency ideas?
