I've been searching and have not been able to find answers to the following quesitons:

Do Downforce side difffusers add actual downforce and if so how much?

When adding downforce with these or a front splitter, is there potential to unbalance the car if downforce isn't also added to the rear of the car?

Are there functional spoilers that are more subtle than a wing but also don't cover up the middle rear break light?

Thanks!

Ken

 

When u say downforce side diffusers, are you referring to the 'canards' fitted to a few aftermarket front bumpers on each side near the corners?

If so, i doubt they generate a lot of downforce unless you're driving a very powerful car with the ability to carry great speed through a corner.

If you add one to the front and not the back, do you miss out and unbalance the car? Good question, some of the fluid dynamics guys on here will probably be able to give answer to that. I expect diffusers to go the same way traction control & abs are, much like fog lights. Added by enthusiasts to improve their car, then later made law as an extra due to its superb functionality. I reckon in time, due to the stability-based benefits of front lower lips and diffusers etc, all cars will have some kind of diffuser fitted as standard front and back - if not all the way along.

Just as another note, the new renault clio 197 doesn't have a high level spoiler, unlike all its predecessors, and that's apparently down to the fact it created more drag than downforce compared to the diffuser.

 

Downforce is a brand.

I want the car to be more planted at speed and in corners, but I don't want a big wing because I don't need the attention.

I'd like to approach this in a way that maintains composure.

Thanks,

ken

 

Downforce won't help at lower speeds without a huge wing. At higher speeds--80+mph--smaller aero mods can help.