As the topic states is the 91-92 Z 28 high rise spoiler functional like the Trans Am spoilers are? I am concidering making a switch to the high rise due to cost and I just love that spoiler. Anyone know?

 

I highly doubt it, but I want one anyway

 

actually I believe I read (could be wrong) that they are, but at like speeds of 150+ , well it would be fun to try out anyway

 

The hise rise spoiler is just for show. It doesnt keep the rear down at high speeds. If anything, the Iroc spoilers is more functional then the hise rise one. just my opinion though

 

the high rise spoilers ive heard are function at speeds of 100+mph.

 

well, u could always go with a high rise that imports use, i would go with one but i know that i would get made fun of

 

I know that the one on my gta is supostd to be the most functunal one for thirdgens but I dont' want to shell out the cash to get the fiberglass one and I really like the looks of the z high rise.

 

neither wing is functional , they might have some affects at high speeds, the second gen wings are more fuctional then the third gens

 

There is a guy who runs the Pony Express race out west, and he put one of the GTA, Firebird, help me here, spoilers on his Camaro b/c he said in Car Craft that at higher speeds, it helped stabalize the car a lot more than any others he had tried. Now we all know that if its printed in a car mag, it has to be true!!!

 

They may be a little functional, like at speeds going over 150 mph.

Wich is why I find import spoilers so funny, they are huge and don't work for crap unless they plan on going to the grocery store at 160 mph. just weigh down the car.

 

Yes, the 3piece spoiler (RS and pre-91 z-28 spoilers) are more functional than the high rise. I mean its just commen sense.

 

 

Yeah, maybe some are more so than others, but still, in the real world they won't be making any difference I don't think other than looks. My car can't even reach a speed where it would start to have any use.

 

I'm no expert here, but i think that they help stabilize the car at high speeds, A LITTLE, not too much and maybe there needs to be a wind to even make a difference.

Also, If wings aren't functional, then why does a wing come out of the back of certain porsche's when it hits about 95 mph?? I'm sure that company knows what they are doing.

Just my .02

 

The wing on a porsche is desinged to create down force, the wing on a firebird epescially creates more turbulance than down force most cars that have a wing are for looks , most have no areo dynamic influence on the air flow over the car , look at any of the salt flat spped cars , when they use a firebird or camaro they never have a wing on them

 

Ok, Forza, I stand corrected

I never thought of the salt flat cars, i guess they are concerned about down force and i have yet to see one with a wing on it.

 

Here is an except from the makers and driver of the worlds fastest stock bodied car,
"The key to keeping the car on the ground at those kind of speeds is its weight," explained Jeff Kugel. "Downforce works up until a certain speed, but then the car starts going so fast through the air that the aerodynamics have it almost flying. What keeps it on the ground is its weight. You’re okay until about 280 or 290 mph, but when you hit 300 mph the wind tunnel tests on this car say it should be air borne. But the car is heavy enough that it stays glued to the surface. Even at 307 mph, the Firebird was showing absolutely no signs of getting light on the front."

"We also run the stock rear spoiler from a 1990 Pontiac Firebird on our 1992 car because we feel that is the best spoiler that Pontiac has. It’s not an aftermarket spoiler, it’s an actual stock rear spoiler and it’s the one that starts on the glass itself and goes all the way around the deck lid."

"If you’re going to go 300 mph in a stock-bodied production car at Bonneville, the car of choice is a Pontiac Firebird," said Joe Kugel. "Out of all the production cars, it probably has the lowest drag as far as aerodynamics are concerned, and at 300 mph, this Firebird has to be the most stable vehicle that’s ever been built."




I've been doing research on land speed records and running for awhile now. My goal is to have my Trans Am hit 200+ when I am done with her.

 

Keep in mind that a NASCAR race car, when the spoiler breaks off, it will fly, and then flip over. An INDY car creates enough downforce to drive upside down.

On our cars, I would venture to guess that at driving speeds there is no real benefit of the spoiler. The spoiler is mostly to keep your rear wheels planed on the ground ESPECIALLY in corners. That is why Salt Flat cars do not appear to have a spoiler.

In fact, many salt flat cars have what looks like an extension of the trunk lid, If you remember the Buick Lesabre T-type from the late 80's. It acts like a spoiler but it has less drag, but is not as good in the corners as the camaro 3 piece spoiler.

hope that helps.
John

 

The 85-90 model (Aero spoiler) is functional. It is the same spoiler that john lingenfelter and that other guy used on their 300+ mph plus salt flat car. It is undoubtly the most functional third gen spoiler strait line. I am not all that worried I won't ever hit above 200mph I also want to know about how it ranks in auto cross

I wanted to know how the high rise spoiler ranks agenst the Aero spoiler.

 

The High Rise is in my opinion just an appearance spoiler, no actual functionality. Just look at the way it is shaped.

 

Question for you Zepher,
I have never taken the time to actually look at the high rise spoiler. By chance is it flat on top. If it is, then it might act like a up side down airplane wing... It looks to have a little lip on the back, but from the pic, its hard to tell.

John

 

Let me see if I have more angles of the wing,

 

it appears to have some function, its directed in the correct direction.

My bet would be the driver would probably notice a minor difference above 80 or 90 MPH, like most spoilers/wings.

John

 

how do you remove the old rubber pos spoiler thats on them now? are the bolt positions the same for the high rise and stocker?

 

manny,
what did you do to your rims in the second set of pics? , looks like you photo chopped them, to cover the holes for the lug nuts?

IMO the stock 85-90 T/A Aero Wing is the best looking and apears to have the best performance aspects too. Someday when I get a T/A, i want a fiberglass one on there. Also I would defiantly be unique cuase everybody else wants a different one!

 

the second set of pics are different wheels.

Some wheels have a cap that covers the lug nuts.

John

 

Ya, the second set of pics have the 17x9.5 OZ Monte Carlos on the car.

 

so you got rid of the WS6 rims???

 

No, my brother is using my WS6 wheels and tires on his 96 Trans Am, his tires were too bald to pass inspection,

 

i wonder why they would be bald.....lol

 

makes sense

 

Well when you get ready to get rid of your 3.42 gears, I have some 2.73s I'll trade you for.. 'cause you ain't gettin there with 3.42s.

 

I should be able to hit 200mph with a T56 and the 3.42 gears.
With the .5 Overdrive and 3.42 gear, car should be doing 255 at 6K redline. My redline will be 6600 with the new valve train and cam.

That speed is with no air drag, basically sitting on a dyno with the wheels spinning. I just need to have 625hp to hit 200mph.

 

wanna see functional?

BAM!! haha