Aerodynamic aids on Cobras

[BevanWright]

I circuit race a Cobra in Classic racing in New Zealand. The racing is very competitive here, and very fast. The Cobra produces good power at around 650 - 700 hp from a Race prepared Hillborn Injected Big Block Chev (sorry Ford guys). Power is not the problem, traction is!

I am contemplating adding a wing to the rear of the car, and a front air dam to improve downforce, and wondered if anyone had come across any winged-cobras.

I am thinking of a fairly large wing, maybe a bit like the can-am style cars, a large wing mounted on struts to raise the wing away from the bodywork.

I am not sure how this would look, and welcome any comments either positive or negative.

The car is very fast in a straight line, I have gone just a tad under 200mph in it to date. I have made an aluminium cover for the passengers side, the car has an aeroscreen and an aluminium flat bottom. So aerodynamically, it is about about as good as a cobra is going to be other than stopping the air getting under the car (the air damn would help here).

I have attached a photo of the car, in which you can probably make out closed in passengers side etc.

Any comments?

[HighPlainsDrifter]

Sweet !

I know the guys that run Bonneville will lower the front end, a spoiler will help. Also fill in any unwanted front 'holes' such as the oval brake vents and flush mount an aluminum panel over the the big oval rad opening, maybe just try leaving a small 3" x 16" air intake at the bottom of it, you'll have to see how much temperature your engine will tolerate. Cut some air exit holes under the rear taillights, can cover them with mesh, this will let air pressure out of rear wheelwells. Even a small 2 " rear lip on the trunk edge will greatly improve rear downforce.
Good Luck,
Perry.

[PatBuckley]

The only comment I have isn't very helpful: Nice Car!

I doubt you will find too many people in the world who can advise you on what to do - as I don't think there are many people who have ever tried to install a wing on a Cobra.

I recall seeing pictures of racers (toward the end of the 427's days as a race car) who installed air dams on the front of their car....perhaps Computerworks can post a pic or two?

Good luck.

By the way some pictures of the passenger side cover would be appreciated...

[BevanWright]

Thanks guys, some useful ideas.

I have thought about blanking off most of the front opening, as my car runs reasonably cool, I still need the oval holes, as these feed cool air to the brakes via a tube on each side down to the brake caliper and hub.

I vaguely remember holes in the back guards of some Shelby race cars, I think the ones with cut back doors (the model escapes me at the moment), the holes were a kind of quarter moon shape.

I know a small lip on the boot would help with cornering, but I am after bulk downforce for acceleration from reasonably low speeds as well.

I will take some photos of the cover for you. Basically it is shaped to sit on top of the body where your window normally runs from side to side, along the top of the door, and along the top of the area behind the seats. The panel is reasonably flat with the exception of a hump around the back guard, and a curve up from the door to the height of the bonnet. In my case the panel is painted with the blue and the orange stripe. The panel is held on by dzeus fasterners (my car is a bit like 'The Turd' in respect that the front and back lift off), so everything is able to be removed quickly.

[Bart Carter]

You are already doing better than most if you are close to 200 MPH. Front spoiler (air dam) is used on FFR spec racers and helps keep the front from lifting so much. I have never seen a working wing for the rear on a Cobra.

What wheels and tires do you run?

[BevanWright]

Well - speed isnt the problem, acceleration on tighter tracks is. On faster circuits the car flys, and not much can go faster, tho I have had a 100mph spin once, and that was pretty scary (and very smoky!).

I was surprised how stable my car was at high speed, after reading about Cobras in the older days, at that speed I was having to lane change around slower cars (travelling anywhere between 100 and 180mph).

Tyres on the car at present are 315/35/17 road tyres on aluminium 3 piece wheels, the tyres are at present too old and hard. I just purchased some slicks, which were absolutely magic, but burst a front one on the second lap. So I basically decided, replace burst slick, improve back suspension (my car uses a 9 inch ford diff made into IRS using Jaguar style rear end) and possibly add a wing - overkill? maybe, but I want to go out and kick some ass with the Cobra. The type of cars I am racing against range from Mustangs, Ferraris, Camaros, through to Porsche Factory Race cars with up to 900hp (and wings).

[750hp]

Bevan,
There's a guy called Bob Bacon that owns arguably the most highly developed Cobra racecar in the world. He drives at some NASA events in Arizona. His car is the definitive "Aero Cobra". The fact that it's a carbon fibre body wrapped around an all alloy, dry sumped big block just makes it that bit more special. I've tried to find some photos of his car on the internet, without success. Search around - it's worth seeing the photos !



Scott OZVENOM fitted a diffuser to his car, and found that the rear was definitely more stable through the high speed corners. Here's a pic...

[justbetter]

Craig thought you would have inserted this photo.

Bevan, this Cobra used to be a rocket with wins all over the place, unfortunetly just prior to the Cobra nationals in Australia this yet some dirty low down Pr!ck stole it from out side of the owners pub. Trust me there are alot of people looking out for it or its parts.

P.S
Better traction aid is also the space age material and wind resistant style of hat wear we use down here

Regards Garrett

[justbetter]

Another pic, better head wear...

[PatBuckley]

It seems to me that the wing will become effective when that windshield is lost!

[BevanWright]

It seems bizzare to go for that wing and still have the big window. Thanks for the pictures guys, it has kind of help me to make my mind up. As effective as the wing probably is, it does seem to look out of place on a Cobra unfortunately.

The diffuser idea looks like a good one, and maybe I will have to look for pictures of a smaller wing?

[BevanWright]

PS - that role hoop seems a lot lower than the drivers head, you would hope that the wing could stay on in a role over.

[750hp]

[750hp]

[750hp]

OK - I've finally found the car I was first looking for...... http://www.cecilwalker.com/PhotoSite...obra/index.htm

The photos on that site show the demise of the fibreglass body.....

[750hp]

.... and here's the new carbon fiber body. LOTS of little AERO tricks used in this car

[750hp]

I love the idea of enclosing the sidepipes, and merging the bodywork around the tyres !

[BMK]

Whoaa

Great photos. Where did you turn them up from



Bernie

Bernie Knight
Mt. Gambier South Australia

[Jon Miller]

Would that make them "Insidepipes" ?

[BevanWright]

Thanks 750HP - great photos. I like the look of the black car and later the new body. My car is a kevlar body as well, but without all the tricks. After seeing these shots I think the lower wing looks great. I might go for the small black airdam, but the wing looks great.