Quote:
Originally Posted by Hermie
Obviously, I'd balance out the front. I've already got hood vents, which reduces front end lift, and I'll also be adding a front air dam, angled forward, to further reduce front end lift, as well as side skirts to create a low-pressure zone under the car.
VGs have been shown to increase downforce when paired with spoilers, because it increases the pressure of the air flowing over them. Without a spoiler, I do believe it will add to lift. I got some info on that from a Porsche 914 racing forum. The 914 has a flatter rear end than mine, so if it plants the back end on those, it should definitely help for me!
Also, the rear bumper isn't exactly smooth. I'll take a picture soon.
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Dr.Alberto Morelli,working at the wind tunnel of Pininfarina,Turin,Italy,had developed a zero-lift car by 1978.
Dubbed the "banana" car,the car exhibited no lift,and without the use of any add-on devices.
The news was carried in all the US Pop Sci types of Magazines.Everybody new about it.I presume that Morelli attended the annual SAE Congress and presented his results.
Since lift would incur risk,and risk incurs liability,it would be difficult to imagine that this resource info passed without note.
Many carmakers would soon have wind tunnels of their own with which to refine their designs.
I would suspect that Ford Motor spent millions in the wind tunnel on your car's development.
I believe that Jack Telnack was head of design at the time of your car's genesis and he's no slacker,and certainly would have been attuned to aspects of vehicle stability.
My opinion is that you have nothing to fear from your Tempo.It would have received the same consideration as a racing Cosworth rally car.
Product liability suits and expensive recalls aren't the sort of thing an automaker would bring upon themselves in a time when technology could easily prevent problems before the fact.