i dragged a 88 acura integra, with my tops off, he kept up with me, i beat him in the long run, but still, do the tops slow me down a lot when there off, or do they not make a difference and my car is a slow pos

------------------
Trent
---Car---
89 Firebird
305 L03 TBI A4
t-tops
Open Element Edelbrock Aircleaner w/ K&N air filter
Summit Chrome Valve Covers

---Stero---
Pioneer DEH-P730 Premium
Infinity 2way 4652 4x6's
Pioneer 4way ts-a6985 6x9's
profile cl640 110x4

Future:im profile 1200sx 900watt x 1, and a pioneer cdx-p1270 12 disk cd changer

 

i can feel a big difference in speed 60+ with ttops, its like a huge parachute with them off

 

he kept up with me until about 60, when i pulled ahead, could i attribute this to the ttops or my slow car, it was actually kinda imbarrissing

------------------
Trent
---Car---
89 Firebird
305 L03 TBI A4
t-tops
Open Element Edelbrock Aircleaner w/ K&N air filter
Summit Chrome Valve Covers

---Stero---
Pioneer DEH-P730 Premium
Infinity 2way 4652 4x6's
Pioneer 4way ts-a6985 6x9's
profile cl640 110x4

Future:im profile 1200sx 900watt x 1, and a pioneer cdx-p1270 12 disk cd changer

 

Little of both. The difference between t-tops and no t-tops will be noticable.
You should have beat the integra, though.

------------------
No guts, no glory.

 

also its manual and im auto, but still ive beaten other jap manuals

------------------
Trent
---Car---
89 Firebird
305 L03 TBI A4
t-tops
Open Element Edelbrock Aircleaner w/ K&N air filter
Summit Chrome Valve Covers

---Stero---
Pioneer DEH-P730 Premium
Infinity 2way 4652 4x6's
Pioneer 4way ts-a6985 6x9's
profile cl640 110x4

Future:im profile 1200sx 900watt x 1, and a pioneer cdx-p1270 12 disk cd changer

 

I think your profile says LO3???

 

I've G-Teched my car with windows up and down, with them down it slowed my car down by about .6, so the affect of ttops being off will be worse.

------------------
"Rice burners are like tampons...Every pu$$y has to have one"
'86 IROC
T-TOPS, TINTED WINDOWS, BRAKE LIGHT BLACKOUTS
GM GOODWRENCH 350
EDELBROCK TES HEADERS
3" Hooker CatBack w/Aero Chamber muffler
EDELBROCK 600CFM CARB.
KN AIRFILTER
ACCEL HEI DISTRIBUTOR
160* Stat, just switched to 180* b/c of winter coming and going to college in the mts.
3:73 Posi
Rebuilt 700R4
B&M Megashifter, 5" Autometer Tach w/shift lite

 

Anything that disrupts airflow slows you down... for maximum efficiency, you should drive with tops on and windows up... plus you'd need to ditch the spoiler... or you could just dump more Hp into it.

 

but if he ditched the spoiler then he would lose high speed control. true it may cause some disturbance but that is the point of the spoiler. To keep the rear tires planted on the ground.

------------------
I WOULD RATHER PUSH A CAMARO THAN DRIVE AN IMPORT

1983Z28 350w/ edelbrock performer RPM power package , dynomax shorty headers, 700R-4 with shift kit, 750cfm carb, edelbrock 3" exhaust system, 16" IROC rims and ASCD SS hood.

future mods:
completely done over suspension, black paint with flames,
T-56 almost ready to go in, TPI swap coming up

Wifes new car:

95Z28, AT, leather, T-tops bone stock for now.

future mods:
header to tailpipe replacement and a cold air intake. Then I am just going to leave it alone

 

I am aware of that, but we're talking all out acceleration... I wouldn't ditch mine, but it causes a decrease in mileage, top speed and acceleration at some infinitesimal level.

 

"if he ditched the spoiler then he would lose high speed control. true it may cause some disturbance but that is the point of the spoiler. To keep the rear tires planted on the ground."


Ok I really don't wanna start the spoiler war, but i really don't think that the spoilers on our cars have much affect on areodynamics, its all for looks. Its not in a spot where it'll catch much air and much too small to have any real affect. The front end design on the other hand does i belive generate a bit of downforce.


As far as high speed driving with the TTops off, it definately creates quite a bit of drag, but I also agree that rolling up the windows cuts it down quite a bit. Though it slows you down i gotta admit its fun for a little while.



------------------
88 Camaro (The mighty LO3 SC!)
305TBI/700R4/2.73/123,XXX miles
14" Open Element and Flowmaster 80 seires

Next up: headers and gears

 

yea, i dont think spoilers do much unless your going like 150
but our cars look ugly without them

------------------
Trent
---Car---
89 Firebird
305 L03 TBI A4
t-tops
Open Element Edelbrock Aircleaner w/ K&N air filter
Summit Chrome Valve Covers

---Stero---
Pioneer DEH-P730 Premium
Infinity 2way 4652 4x6's
Pioneer 4way ts-a6985 6x9's
profile cl640 110x4

Future:im profile 1200sx 900watt x 1, and a pioneer cdx-p1270 12 disk cd changer

 

isnt the only real functional spoiler on third gens the rap-around firebird ones?? all the rest are just for looks.

 

Yes it would slow you down. Think of the aerodynamics. WIth out the t top its screwed up. Im not sure if it would cause alot of restriction. And also I would think the t top would slow you down with them off because of frame strength. I'm guessing the tops arnt that strong. But I"m guessing they give soemwhat of support. I dono I could be wrong.

------------------
Chris
91 RS 305 TBI
Eternal Rev

 

The original thirdgen firebird wings do function... If you have the wing I'm talking about or know someone that does, check out the underside of the wing and you will see that it is shaped like the top of an airplane's wing... in an airplane, it causes lift, in a car since it's an upside down version... it creates the opposite of lift, Downforce. See if the same is true for camaros, I bet they are very similar...

Edit: The spoiler is in a perfect place actually (except for notchbacks), the air flows up the windshield and down the back, it gets forced under and over the spoiler which is supposed to get in the way... and a higher pressure forms at the top of the spoiler than the bottom which is the cause of the downforce, I know they work, but it's probably not more than 30 lbs of force at 100 MPH... I've been studying aerodynamics for 10 years now, so that can attest to my knowledge... no offense intended.

[This message has been edited by ChillPhatCat (edited October 18, 2001).]

 

Don't worry, no offense taken
As long as everyone stays cool and actually discusses it instead of being like "you dipshift yes it does/no it doesn't," ya know? It just irritates me when some people get all ruffeled when you don't even mean to be a jerk... thanks for actually being cool

Anyway i do agree that that firebird ones probably are, I was more referring to the "ducktail" style one on the camaros. I just was doubting its effect because its so small, but your right it probably does something, but also like you said not much.
I doubt my "areo wing" does anything at all... go figure i like that the least by far of any Fbody spoiler ever put on, and I bought a car with one. Oh well, I'll change it someday when i can afford to spend $$ on something like that.

But the bottom line is the cars just don't look right without one! I've seen two or 3... yech!




------------------
88 Camaro (The mighty LO3 SC!)
305TBI/700R4/2.73/123,XXX miles
14" Open Element and Flowmaster 80 seires

Next up: headers and gears

 

dont like your wrap around? ill trade ya

------------------
Trent
---Car---
89 Firebird
305 L03 TBI A4
t-tops
Open Element Edelbrock Aircleaner w/ K&N air filter
Summit Chrome Valve Covers

---Stero---
Pioneer DEH-P730 Premium
Infinity 2way 4652 4x6's
Pioneer 4way ts-a6985 6x9's
profile cl640 110x4

Future:im profile 1200sx 900watt x 1, and a pioneer cdx-p1270 12 disk cd changer

 

Not the wrap around, its kinda like the 91-92 Z wing but like half the size and only mounted to the decklid. I don't have a pic of my car anywhere on here but it looks exactly like evilface's used to before he got it painted. I just don't have his wheels or exhaust tips. They only made this wing i belive for the first half of 1988 then cut it.

------------------
88 Camaro (The mighty LO3 SC!)
305TBI/700R4/2.73/123,XXX miles
14" Open Element and Flowmaster 80 seires

Next up: headers and gears