[Blu Ray]

At what speeds does the Drag Coefficient start to play a role in the two Models

Debating ZL1 vs ZLE

I prefer the Aggressive looks of the ZLE over the ZL1 - yet want to be sure to select the vehicle best suited for my personal needs.

**Roll Races and 1/2 Miles Airport Events**

So at what speed will the ZLE start to show the Drag Coefficient?

If in mexico doing a roll say 60-140 will there be a significant difference?

Or does it not play a role up until Numbers like 150-160 which I rarely hit

[The Manalishi]

I will say at about 178 to 180 the ZLE hits a brick wall. It might go faster than that given space but I doubt it would be much more if any.

[CW3SF]

I don’t have the formula for coefficient of drag on these cars but I’ve done 1/2 mile events and I can tell you that track cars with aero ARE affected and are slower in the 1/2 mile than their counterparts. You will be 140+ mph in the 1/2.

[Stephen12ZL1]

a standard ZL1 in a straight line definitely has an advantage especially above 120mph...it is significant on a road course long straight.

[CW3SF]

Basic internet search suggests that aero begins to have a drag effect at speeds of 100-120 kph or about 60-75 mph.

[Blu Ray]

Originally Posted by CW3SF

Basic internet search suggests that aero begins to have a drag effect at speeds of 100-120 kph or about 60-75 mph.

Correct me if im wrong, so in a race between the two models the ZLE will start to fall off starting at 60MPH and the ZL1 will pull ahead the rest of the way to top speed

[The Manalishi]

Originally Posted by Blu Ray

Correct me if im wrong, so in a race between the two models the ZLE will start to fall off starting at 60MPH and the ZL1 will pull ahead the rest of the way to top speed

No. I roll raced a auto ZL1 at Ennis at a club day. I won 2 out of 3 with my manual ZLE. We crossed the start line at 30 mph and were well over 130/ 140 at the end.

[The Manalishi]

30 mph rolls benefit the manual more than the auto.

[ZRacerLE]

Let me try something here:
Drag force = drag coef x speed^2

So horsepower used against drag = drag coef x speed^3
If both cars are using same power at top speed then
Drag coef zl1 x top speed zl1 ^ 3 = drag coef zle x top speed zle ^3
If zl1 top speed is 202mph and zle is 178 then drag coef ratio is (178/202)^3= 0.684
Meaning the zl1 has 68.4% of the drag of the zle or the zl1 gets to use 31.6% more torque accelerating rather than fighting aero drag.

If at 101mph, the zl1 is at half top speed, meaning it's using 1/8th (drag power is cubic) of its power to fight drag which 650hp/8=81hp. This speed would require the zle to use 81hp/.684=118hp. So at 101mph, it's as if the zl1 has 118hp-81hp=37hp more than the zle.

Super oversimplified, but maybe a good ballpark estimate?

[Blu Ray]

Originally Posted by ZRacerLE

Let me try something here:
Drag force = drag coef x speed^2

So horsepower used against drag = drag coef x speed^3
If both cars are using same power at top speed then
Drag coef zl1 x top speed zl1 ^ 3 = drag coef zle x top speed zle ^3
If zl1 top speed is 202mph and zle is 178 then drag coef ratio is (178/202)^3= 0.684
Meaning the zl1 has 68.4% of the drag of the zle or the zl1 gets to use 31.6% more torque accelerating rather than fighting aero drag.

If at 101mph, the zl1 is at half top speed, meaning it's using 1/8th (drag power is cubic) of its power to fight drag which 650hp/8=81hp. This speed would require the zle to use 81hp/.684=118hp. So at 101mph, its as if the zl1 has 118hp-81hp=37hp more than the zle.

Super oversimplified, but maybe a good ballpark estimate?

I can dig it - math seems logical

[The Manalishi]

Originally Posted by ZRacerLE

Let me try something here:
Drag force = drag coef x speed^2

So horsepower used against drag = drag coef x speed^3
If both cars are using same power at top speed then
Drag coef zl1 x top speed zl1 ^ 3 = drag coef zle x top speed zle ^3
If zl1 top speed is 202mph and zle is 178 then drag coef ratio is (178/202)^3= 0.684
Meaning the zl1 has 68.4% of the drag of the zle or the zl1 gets to use 31.6% more torque accelerating rather than fighting aero drag.

If at 101mph, the zl1 is at half top speed, meaning it's using 1/8th (drag power is cubic) of its power to fight drag which 650hp/8=81hp. This speed would require the zle to use 81hp/.684=118hp. So at 101mph, it's as if the zl1 has 118hp-81hp=37hp more than the zle.

Super oversimplified, but maybe a good ballpark estimate?

Using that I would suppose at about 145 to 150 MPH the ZL1 would pass the ZLE using the 30 MPH roll start. From a 50 MPH roll it's all driver up to those speeds. At 50 MPH the ZLE doesn't jump out like it does at 30 MPH.

Edit: I say that because I know up to 140 I could stay ahead but he was gaining, fast.

[ZRacerLE]

Originally Posted by The Manalishi

Using that I would suppose at about 145 to 150 MPH the ZL1 would pass the ZLE using the 30 MPH roll start. From a 50 MPH roll it's all driver up to those speeds. At 50 MPH the ZLE doesn't jump out like it does at 30 MPH.

Edit: I say that because I know up to 140 I could stay ahead but he was gaining, fast.

If my math is not bogus, then at 150mph the zl1 pulls as if it has 121hp more than the zle (sounds like a lot until you realize you're at 150mph and not much pulls hard at that speed because of drag).

[ZRacerLE]

... although I'm seeing articles claiming the zle tops out at 190mph, so that would be about 54hp difference at 150mph

[The Manalishi]

Originally Posted by ZRacerLE

If my math is not bogus, then at 150mph the zl1 pulls as if it has 121hp more than the zle (sounds like a lot until you realize you're at 150mph and not much pulls hard at that speed because of drag).

From 30 the ZLE jumps out about 2 or 3 car lengths, manages to hold that for a while but as speeds increase the ZL1 is visibly catching up quickly. From 50 MPH it's just which driver hits the shifts and again if you are ahead at 145 or so the ZL1 is obviously pulling harder. Just my experience with roll racing the ZLE, I am a pretty good shoe with a stick. There is no doubt in my mind at 145 plus the ZL1 is going to embarrass a ZLE on the open road. Of course the ZLE is going to embarrass the ZL1 on a road course given equal drivers. The cars have two very different purposes. Why I let off at 150. No sense in pushing the cars that much in a roll race when the outcome is obvious. Just needlessly endangering all involved after that speed.