NEW carbon wings, side skirts, splitter, end plates from Prototype Composites

[Rugbyduck]

Hell, I'd buy from you based on your attitude and answers to the questions you've been asked. I feel dumb I didn't get "the reference".

[lotusforsale]

If all of that is truly functional, and as actually used the car requires/benefits from that function, well, ok I guess.

From a purely aesthetic standpoint, the wing especially is a bit too 'hot wheelish' for my tastes.

[kestrel74]

ummmm splitter looks good.... but IMO you put wayyyyy too much RICE in the wing/diffuser.

[SIIK2NR]

That thing looks tough as nails....

I can't get over the spoiler though. Too over the top. Why not create the second blade to run the same forward angle as the OEM? I think I would rather just go with removing the OEM supports and run the 3D GT spoiler across the clam.

The diffuser is the tits... :thumb:

[Composites]

1) Wind tunnel data: Let's see, how much do you guys want to end up paying for this stuff? Already I hear complaints that I'm too expensive, (kinda makes me feel good inside when I get those complaints though). Like most things in racing, it's the result of throwing a lot of spaghetti against the wall. It's the kind of thing I encourage the guys in the shop to do. The diffuser: Honestly, it's derived from what I've learned from ALMS teams and mostly watching the development of the Corvette GT-1 car as well as being involved on the development of one of our customer's P2 chassis. The rear wing was developed with two things in mind: Make downforce adjustable and make the downforce generated by the wing usable by significantly reducing loss. Wind tunnel time and/or computational fluid dynamics seat time would significantly increase the price going to market.

2) Rugby duck: It's from 'The Natural'

3) Twaszak & Motorist: thanks guys! You're too kind. Twaz, come on by for another visit some time. We've got some really outrageous projects going on right now.

4) Splitter: It sticks out about 2" beyond the chin spoiler, mounts on to the chin spoiler and the three M6 bolts rearward in the center section of the frame. These should really be set with no rake at all, but as a level shear. Adjustment is accomplished by properly setting the ride height and in some cases, shimming at the rear three M6 bolts. It's about 5/16" thick, thus reducing one's ground clearance by the same 5/16". The bottom layer is two layers of solid Kevlar for wear resistance. Those run $421.00, delivery in 14 days from receipt of deposit.

Sleep now? Naaah. It's overrated.

[Composites]

Kestrel-

That reminds me of what my O'l man would say to me when working on projects:

"If it were an airplane, would you fly it?"

In the case of the rear wing, I would. Intently with the force generated in the opposite direction.

[Bavarian Motorist]

So two questions...


1. Is the wing compatible with an Elise or are you not certain how that would result?

2. How exactly do you know if the wing reduces drag or generates downforce with no wind tunnel testing? I am no expert, I'm just curious.

[Composites]

Originally Posted by Bavarian Motorist

So two questions...


1. Is the wing compatible with an Elise or are you not certain how that would result?

2. How exactly do you know if the wing reduces drag or generates downforce with no wind tunnel testing? I am no expert, I'm just curious.

Elise: I would think not, as the stock Exige wing is an essential part of the assembly, which mounts to the Exige engine cover.

I'm not sure if a wing could reduce drag in and of itself. Based on the wing's shape, they certainly produce downforce, (bottom surface area greater than the top). The problem with the stock setup is that whatever downforce is generated by the wings does not efficiently transfer the force to the suspension which is where it becomes effective. This, along with making the downforce adjustable was the goal.

[fzust]

Blackwatch has done quite a bit of work with the owner of that "290S". I've heard nothing but great things about PC.

Bav Mo: There are some pretty decent freeware Aero programs on the web that can be used to determine the drag vs. downforce effect of a wing.

[Mag]

reminds me of the double decker i used previously.

[exarkun1178]

i think the pieces look good, thanks for bringing new ideas and parts to market. how bout a big wing for an elise ?

[Mag]

Originally Posted by Composites

Based on the wing's shape, they certainly produce downforce, (bottom surface area greater than the top). The problem with the stock setup is that whatever downforce is generated by the wings does not efficiently transfer the force to the suspension which is where it becomes effective. This, along with making the downforce adjustable was the goal.

(Im no expert) but i think other then pushing the rear of the car down from the attachment point, a rear spoiler can change air flow to flow slower, drag over the top of the car, there by uses the body of the car to act as a spoiler in itself.

I've thought about this regarding the exige wing. Has anyone looked into making some kind of bracket (for the stock exige wing) in the trunk that mounts to a part of the chassis?

[ZTEC]

I think the wing is awesome and If I had an exige I would certainly be looking at this option! The "feet" will help transfer the downforce to the chassis and not flex like the oem setup. They are not reinventing the wheel here and the R&D has already been done by countless race teams with million dollar budgets!
I have a wing on my Elise and it sure isn't pretty but, I wouldn't track my car without it!

[Pestodude]

Mike, I love driving my Exige with the roof off. Do youn think it would be possible to create a cup/ s240 type roof scoop that is JUST A SCOOP (sans roof), which would be held on in the rear by a flange similar to the L shaped piece on the stock roof which slides under the roll bar. In the front, there are 2 detents on the interior of the top of the windshield header. A horizontal piece fitted to the bottom of the scoop could have two springloaded pins shaped to fit into those detents. Wadaya think?

[Zinhead]

Originally Posted by Composites

Sleep now? Naaah. It's overrated.

You can sleep when you are dead. Glad you are making stuff for the Lotus. The work you did on the Alfetta several years ago was top quality, and based on the red Exige that was at FVMC a few weeks ago, the splitter and diffuser look to be of the same high quality. It is good to be able to buy these products that are made in America.

The two level design for the rear spoiler is a bit aggressive for my taste. Have you considered a single-level design that is wider and longer than stock? The mounting for the rear spoiler is novel, but I was wondering if putting pressure on the fiberglass without reinforcement would lead to cracks in the future?

[jallingt]

Great info.
The who product line looks great, price does not seem to out of line. Good luck.
The spitter and diffuser kind of trip my trigger. Trying to be a fan of the wing..... not quite yet..... maybe after it wins some games.

What are the thoughts on downforce created by splitter and diffuser alone?

[Bavarian Motorist]

Originally Posted by Composites

Elise: I would think not, as the stock Exige wing is an essential part of the assembly, which mounts to the Exige engine cover.

I'm not sure if a wing could reduce drag in and of itself. Based on the wing's shape, they certainly produce downforce, (bottom surface area greater than the top). The problem with the stock setup is that whatever downforce is generated by the wings does not efficiently transfer the force to the suspension which is where it becomes effective. This, along with making the downforce adjustable was the goal.

Thanks I didn't mean reduce drag, (I know that's what I said) but rather minimize drag.


It's an awesome wing anyways and if there's ever an Elise compatible one, please post.

[Composites]

Clerical error on the splitters, they're $485.00.

[Composites]

Originally Posted by Pestodude

Mike, I love driving my Exige with the roof off. Do youn think it would be possible to create a cup/ s240 type roof scoop that is JUST A SCOOP (sans roof), which would be held on in the rear by a flange similar to the L shaped piece on the stock roof which slides under the roll bar. In the front, there are 2 detents on the interior of the top of the windshield header. A horizontal piece fitted to the bottom of the scoop could have two springloaded pins shaped to fit into those detents. Wadaya think?

I just might be able to pull this off. Call me to discuss.

[FLuXeXigeS]

Originally Posted by Pestodude

Mike, I love driving my Exige with the roof off. Do youn think it would be possible to create a cup/ s240 type roof scoop that is JUST A SCOOP (sans roof), which would be held on in the rear by a flange similar to the L shaped piece on the stock roof which slides under the roll bar. In the front, there are 2 detents on the interior of the top of the windshield header. A horizontal piece fitted to the bottom of the scoop could have two springloaded pins shaped to fit into those detents. Wadaya think?

it will look more like a T-top with an air scoop...interesting