Tail Recommendation - Open class Race Car

[JohnJL]

Lots of great threads out there, especially the ones where some of you were generous enough to run some CFD simulations. Jack's build-his-own-wing is tops.

I need a recommendation for my track-only car. The engine and suspension mods already put me into open class, so I can go nuts on the tail.

I would very much appreciate recommendations balancing the following priorities (any any other considerations you deem necessary.) I couldnt believe how heavy the 3.0 tailbase with whaletail was when I removed it. It must weigh 35lbs. I don't have a large scale at home now so I can't verify it but I sure would like to lose some weight back there;

weight
ability to clear a large intercooler & supercharger
downforce/drag adjustability

Note aesthetics are not a worry.

I know others have fit big intercoolers under ducktails. I have a spare ducktail also and a whaletail base+tray.

I mostly run supersprints and the longest track I run is Eastern Creek with a main straight max speed of 130-150 mph.

The front spoiler is a narrowbody RSR CF from MA Shaw.

Here's the car now.

[JohnJL]

oops...here's the car now...




Its since been lowered to the deck and a front oilcooler installed.

Your suggestions are most appreciated!

[wastintime]

Actually I think the stock tails are over 40lbs...

I think you've sort of answered your own questions by stating what's important. There are many tail designs that will accomodate an intercooler, so you pretty much have to start there. Off the top of my head, I'd get a 3.8 tail shaped for an intercooler, but instead of the stock wing element I'd get uprights, and get a nice big wing up in the airflow... especially with as much front splitter as you've got. Meets all of the criteria you specified... you can even pick the airfoil you want. That's just me though... I think it really comes down to aesthetics more than anything else. Nothing is going to give you more downforce than a tail that gives you the ability to put a large airfoil up in the airflow though.

Good luck.

[turborat]

When I completed my car, I installed a 3.8 replica glass tail. I found this tail to have too much down force as compared to the front. At speeds above 130 mph, the car's front end was extremely light. I also tried this wing with an IROC front bumpers like yours. I think more splitter is needed with this wing. The front end of my car is much lighter than OE with fuel cell, glass fenders, glass bumpers and no lights.

I went back to an early style turbo replica glass tail and find the car to be stable.

Either tail should accomodate an intercooler

[Cory M]

gt racing sells a gt cup style tailfor 911's (see item 17, 17a, etc on page 2):

http://www.gt-racing.com/pdfs/GTR911.pdf

it is a lot lighter than the 3.8 tail, you can run any wing element you want but if you gt one from gt I'd choose the standard profile over the "predator". the tail will require some massaging to get a good fit.

[wastintime]

GT racing is kind of a crap shoot with quality... not to mention paying $500 extra for the Carbon Fiber option, and finding out all the do is lay a CF decal over HALF the fiberglass wing.

The GT3 style is nice too and the same principal, just wouldn't look quite as correct on the car, I would think.

the 3.8 tail came standard with some pretty small splitters, I know 964s had much better aero, but I'm really surprised to hear it isn't balanced out with the huge front bumpers/splitters you guys are running. Although I have seen even more splitter added to that bumper.

[JohnJL]

Thanks guys. Turborat, where did you get your tail and do you know what it weighed? Could the car have been balanced perhaps with a "chin spoiler" or splitter on the front? my RSR front would easily accomodate an adjustable "boomerang" front which I would think could be dialed in. I guess at that point I'd be questioning overall drag/efficiency?

[turborat]

Both tails are from GT Racing. The turbo tail is part 16A and 16G of the GT catalog. The 3.8 tail is close to part 418 of the same catalog. when I ordered the tail a few years ago, the top wing was optional, so I went without one. I still have the tail. If you are interested PM me.

For my car, a large splitter below the front dam was going to be required to balance to car at high speed. In the end, I preferred the look of the old turbo tail over the 3.8 on my SC. So the large splitter was not needed.

I think part 44c (Page 7) of the catalog is a sufficient splitter for the 3.8 tail.

I do not know the weight of the 3.8 tail, but is is pretty light considering its size.

[wastintime]

Originally Posted by turborat

when I ordered the tail a few years ago, the top wing was optional, so I went without one.

For my car, a large splitter below the front dam was going to be required to balance to car at high speed.

You didn't even have the wing element and you couldn't get enough splitter in the front? That doesn't make any sense unless you'd changed your weight distribution to like 75R/25F