[Mr. Wyndham]

Pulled from Hot Rod's ZL1 review:

A.) "The rear wing is unique to ZL1, and was designed to work in tandem with the front splitter to reduce lift. By about 60mph the body’s lift is countered for neutral handling."

B.) "The positioning of the end plate of the wing spoiler in relation to the quarter panel was critical. It added significant downforce while only adding .001 to the coefficient of drag."

There are several conversations where folks post about modifying spoilers, and aero, etc for looks. Some people chime in and say that aero will be affected.

They seem to get push-back by some claiming that nobody will notice, or the aero kits don't do anything if you're going less than 130mph.

Guess again.

[Sven59]

Originally Posted by Mr. Wyndham

Pulled from Hot Rod's ZL1 review:

"The rear wing is unique to ZL1, and was designed to work in tandem with the front splitter to reduce lift. By about 60mph the body’s lift is countered for neutral handling."

There are several conversations where folks post about modifying spoilers, and aero, etc for looks. Some people chime in and say that aero will be affected.

They seem to get push-back by some claiming that nobody will notice, or the aero kits don't do anything if you're going less than 130mph.

Guess again.

I think some of that was carry over from the 5th Gen, I don't think anyone really knew what speed it would have an effect.

[Glen e]

And that's important for you if you basically are buying this car because you want the utmost and handling on the track. But for when I go and get the groceries, I don't care that anything "kicks in" at 60 miles an hour. It all depends what we use these cars for. There have been three sessions from the Corvette guys saying that nothing happens until 130 mph for the air dams in the back and spoilers. I don't doubt that this comes into effect at 60 , But then again I would have no hesitation on putting on another spoiler if I thought it looked better, and giving up "neutral rear end handling"…

[DenverTaco07]

Originally Posted by Mr. Wyndham

Pulled from Hot Rod's ZL1 review:

"The rear wing is unique to ZL1, and was designed to work in tandem with the front splitter to reduce lift. By about 60mph the body’s lift is countered for neutral handling."

There are several conversations where folks post about modifying spoilers, and aero, etc for looks. Some people chime in and say that aero will be affected.

They seem to get push-back by some claiming that nobody will notice, or the aero kits don't do anything if you're going less than 130mph.

Guess again.

Thank you.

I trust the engineers who spent 100's of hours tweaking in the tunnel. I believe everything on this car is intentional. Maybe it's why they decided against the fake gills this go around.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by DenverTaco07

Thank you.

I trust the engineers who spent 100's of hours tweaking in the tunnel. I believe everything on this car is intentional. Maybe it's why they decided against the fake gills this go around.

Very true.

I added a second quote from the same article (still reading it), about placement of the ends of the wing overhanding the rear end a bit.

Originally Posted by Sven59

I think some of that was carry over from the 5th Gen, I don't think anyone really knew what speed it would have an effect.

I know. I don't intend this thread to be a shot at anyone...but I do want to dispel some of the rumors and casual dismissal of the aerodynamic engineering of this model.

It's thorough, and remarkable.

Originally Posted by Glen e

And that's important for you if you basically are buying this car because you want the utmost and handling on the track. But for when I go and get the groceries, I don't care that anything "kicks in" at 60 miles an hour. It all depends what we use these cars for. There have been three sessions from the Corvette guys saying that nothing happens until 130 mph for the air dams in the back and spoilers. I don't doubt that this comes into effect at 60 , But then again I would have no hesitation on putting on another spoiler if I thought it looked better, and giving up "neutral rear end handling"…

True! And I don't disagree - modify away if you like the look....certainly can't argue opinions of appearance.

I just want folks to be informed and more familiar with this car they've bought.

And I am going to be enjoying the downforce (increases with speed) on the track...and on ramps.

[SpeedIsLife]

I'm sure it's not going to stop people from putting an appearance only body kit on it and then wondering why a stock ZL1 could out-handle them.

[zl1_tommy]

So what you're saying is...

That Corolla can thank my wing for them being alive today!

[jessrayo]

Originally Posted by Mr. Wyndham

They seem to get push-back by some claiming that nobody will notice, or the aero kits don't do anything if you're going less than 130mph.

Guess again.

All you have to do is put the window down, stick out your arm, and drive. If you are going fast enough for the wind to affect your arm hanging out the window you are going fast enough for the wind to affect the car. This happens long before 130 mph. Some say 5 or 10 pounds of downforce is insignificant, I disagree. Every little bit helps.

If it is actually done without a significant increase in drag that is a huge accomplishment and benefit.

[hotlap]

The wing is a functional element and one of the distinct appearance items on the ZL1. I could no more imagine removing it than I could the wing on a Superbird. I'll admit that I'm a stock styling purest though

[Artos]

But it's ugly & all I care about is appearance with this car...

[clanky]

Originally Posted by Artos

But it's ugly & all I care about is appearance with this car...

I know right all these dum dum's who just want to try and make their car go faster! Speed limit is 75 around here and no point in going faster! Just gotta make it look cool! That's what it's all about! BTW if anyone has any 38" rims or Spinners for my Camaro SS that'd be cool I'm about to get blocks on it and I need the big rims to look fly!

[17CamaroZL1]

Originally Posted by hotlap

The wing is a functional element and one of the distinct appearance items on the ZL1. I could no more imagine removing it than I could the wing on a Superbird. I'll admit that I'm a stock styling purest though

Is the wing on a Superbird pretty? I'd say no.....but that is one of the biggest identifiers/signatures of the car and there is no way I would want one without it! So I totally agree.

Originally Posted by jessrayo

All you have to do is put the window down, stick out your arm, and drive. If you are going fast enough for the wind to affect your arm hanging out the window you are going fast enough for the wind to affect the car. This happens long before 130 mph. Some say 5 or 10 pounds of downforce is insignificant, I disagree. Every little bit helps.

If it is actually done without a significant increase in drag that is a huge accomplishment and benefit.

Aero definitely makes a difference at slower speeds, just way less at 30 or 40, than 80+. I think one of the reasons they chose a wing over a spoiler was creating downforce without adding a linear amount of drag at the same time. Using your hand out the window example, which pushes your arm back the most? Hand with your palm toward the ground or toward the front of the car? Just think of an upside down airplane wing on the rear of the car, creating downforce, but little drag.

[TJay74]

Once again, this conversation comes down to the reality of how many actual ZL1 owners will actually be out on a track running their cars to where they need the downforce for cornering speeds. The number of those owners is a lot lower than most people think.

I would say 75% of the ZL1 purchases are from people who have the money and want the baddest Camaro out there, then 15% are the people who might track their ZL1 some, the remaining 10% will be the people who track it regularly and wont blink if anything happens to their $65k ZL1 while it is out on the track.

Also, in all reality, while the ZL1 does very well at the track I think it was more destined as a boulevard bruiser and a drag strip terror. The 1LE Camaro's are the ones GM designed to be the track terrors.

[b4z]

The corvette guys are saying nothing happens until 130 mph because that's when the acceleration rate starts falling off noticeably because of the drag. I doubt that most of those guys saying that have thrown it into a corner or a sweeper at that speed. Most spoilers/wings start having an effect in the 50-60 mph range even if it is almost unnoticeable. It might be slightly lower gas mileage or it might be downforce that is beginning to add up.
At 80-90 they are starting to make themselves known. I guarantee you that the spoiler that is slowing the z06 down at 130 mph is definitely providing downforce at 80-90.