I know some other forum members encounter the same problem, but my C63 Coupe has always felt very twitchy at high speeds.
After a full wheel alignment, geometry check, new rear tyres, tyre pressure change, i was still left with the same problem.
I was convinced it was an aerodynamic problem after trying all of the above, so started to work on designing a proper rear diffuser.
Why not buy i hear you say, but with most carbon add-ons being astronomical in price, i decided to design my own.
After talking to the guys at Reverie, it was pointless unless the car was totally flat underneath and around 4 inch from the floor, aka Formula 1.
They did recomend however that a decent rear wing and front splitter would be far better and have more effect.
Lets get something straight from the start, i have always been dubious about rear wings and spoilers, and i know manufacturers spend thousands on wind tunnel testing, but take a look at most of the new supercars and they all have some kind of new rear wing added, either fixed or motorised.
So, as imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, my first port of call was the Black Series rear wing.
First headache, I was not prepared to drill the boot lid as it would de-value the car immediately, so the only option, was the Renntech style design, with the fixing coming from the number plate area.
First off get your rear wing, a proper rear wing that is designed to work at speed - many thanks to Dave at Elite Carbon Fibre for all his help.
I have always designed machinery and improvement parts of some sort, so after a week or so i had a full mock up built up out of cardboard, not so simple, as i had to incorperate the full width of the number plate, and figure out fixing points for strength etc.
Now manufacture - i decided to use 6082 T651 grade aluminium, 8mm thick, laser cut, and a black anodised finish.
Adjustable support struts, are 12mm St St Hex bar with St St Rod end bearings.
Now assemble and fit - headache number 2, the rear number plate area is not readily made to accept this much weight, so rear support bars had to be made to stiffen the whole area.
Finally finished assembly today so it was testing time at last.
(Ps Wife sees it for first time, i am like **** Van Dyke coming out of shed with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - she hates it!)
Anyway back to the road test today.
Now my local Yorkshire roads are not the best, a little bit of back and forth movement but not too bad on the whole, considering the surface i am driving on. Much better as i get on smoother, newly laid tarmac.
Now onto the good old M1 for what the wing was designed for, improved stability at higher speeds.Luckily it was very early in the morning so only a few cars out.
I can honestly say I am gobsmacked, car feels much more planted and solid, does not want to stray at all, steering feels much more accurate, no twitching at all, i feel much more confident on long fast curves, i know its over a week since i last drove her but i can definitely tell there is a difference, one for the better too.
Aesthetically i think a lot of people will hate what i have done, but i am pleased with the outcome, i suppose its the Porsche whale tale i always wanted as a kid?
Next mod - the front splitter, well possibly!
After a full wheel alignment, geometry check, new rear tyres, tyre pressure change, i was still left with the same problem.
I was convinced it was an aerodynamic problem after trying all of the above, so started to work on designing a proper rear diffuser.
Why not buy i hear you say, but with most carbon add-ons being astronomical in price, i decided to design my own.
After talking to the guys at Reverie, it was pointless unless the car was totally flat underneath and around 4 inch from the floor, aka Formula 1.
They did recomend however that a decent rear wing and front splitter would be far better and have more effect.
Lets get something straight from the start, i have always been dubious about rear wings and spoilers, and i know manufacturers spend thousands on wind tunnel testing, but take a look at most of the new supercars and they all have some kind of new rear wing added, either fixed or motorised.
So, as imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, my first port of call was the Black Series rear wing.
First headache, I was not prepared to drill the boot lid as it would de-value the car immediately, so the only option, was the Renntech style design, with the fixing coming from the number plate area.
First off get your rear wing, a proper rear wing that is designed to work at speed - many thanks to Dave at Elite Carbon Fibre for all his help.
I have always designed machinery and improvement parts of some sort, so after a week or so i had a full mock up built up out of cardboard, not so simple, as i had to incorperate the full width of the number plate, and figure out fixing points for strength etc.
Now manufacture - i decided to use 6082 T651 grade aluminium, 8mm thick, laser cut, and a black anodised finish.
Adjustable support struts, are 12mm St St Hex bar with St St Rod end bearings.
Now assemble and fit - headache number 2, the rear number plate area is not readily made to accept this much weight, so rear support bars had to be made to stiffen the whole area.
Finally finished assembly today so it was testing time at last.
(Ps Wife sees it for first time, i am like **** Van Dyke coming out of shed with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - she hates it!)
Anyway back to the road test today.
Now my local Yorkshire roads are not the best, a little bit of back and forth movement but not too bad on the whole, considering the surface i am driving on. Much better as i get on smoother, newly laid tarmac.
Now onto the good old M1 for what the wing was designed for, improved stability at higher speeds.Luckily it was very early in the morning so only a few cars out.
I can honestly say I am gobsmacked, car feels much more planted and solid, does not want to stray at all, steering feels much more accurate, no twitching at all, i feel much more confident on long fast curves, i know its over a week since i last drove her but i can definitely tell there is a difference, one for the better too.
Aesthetically i think a lot of people will hate what i have done, but i am pleased with the outcome, i suppose its the Porsche whale tale i always wanted as a kid?
Next mod - the front splitter, well possibly!
Brilliant craftsmanship though, and I'm sure with more tweaks you could get it looking more tight to the car?
