With all the talk of oversteer lately, it struck me that there may be a lift issue. The '02s have the redesigned tail-light assembly which may be to address this. A quick poll is in order...

Please vote to the best of your knowledge and if you don't own the car, please don't vote...thanks.

Mark

 

Yep. Cold, worn tires and a damp road surface.

 

Do you really beleive that "downforce" generated by a rear spoiler is going to have any influence on the cars handling in wet conditions....

I think the consensus view from the many handling threads is that sudden throttle or steering inputs are the biggest culprits for causing snap oversteer, I don't believe that a couple of Kg of positive downforce (and I'm being very, very generous on the effectivness of those things) is going to offset the forces involved here...

 

A spoiler will have no impact on downforce unless you happen to get into a spin at say 75MPH or higher, in which case, most people who had it won't be able to respond to the poll, since they'll be in the hospital or worse.

Are you sure you didn't mean: Front stabilizer? This is the major item that addresses the snap oversteer, as I understand it.

 

Wind tunnel tests documented in Germany showed a moderate amount of lift at high speeds but probably not enough to affect most of us.

It was reported that the tail-light was changed because the new rear window affected the measurements that are used for the US center brake light height regulations.

 

Mark wants a spoiler for Christmas!

 

So does AnDy.

 

Actually, Mark has a rear spoiler...

When I conceived of the poll, I was really wanting to address the instability in the rain but didn't think anyone would reply to that. Everyone jumps on "snap oversteer" so there it is.

Mark

 

During our conference with the engineers from Mugen, they found that there is a rather high degree of lift in the rear at speed. Which explains why they developed the two rear pieces, the spoiler (which I have and LOVE) and the GT-style wing.

Driving back from King Motorsports after they installed the spoiler on my car through the twisties of southern Wisconsin, I could IMMEDIATELY tell there was a difference in how the car handled at speed. I had OODLES more confidence going through high speed turns...this thing is probably my favorite modification, at least as far as aerodynamics go...plus it looks badass, too And then the next track day with it was amazing, as well. No threats of oversteer in the same situations that I would get it in other track days. I wouldn't trade that spoiler for anything!

Yes, the rear gets light in the S2000, but the conditions (rain etc) that you are talking about it here in, it's much less of an issue...

 

Greg,

I know you have the Mugen 3 piece spoiler. That is the one that works better with the top down, correct??

[QUOTE]Originally posted by gregstevens
[B]During our conference with the engineers from Mugen, they found that there is a rather high degree of lift in the rear at speed.