crazyjim

I remember reading that the spoilers on the T/A's actually lifted the back end of the car at speeds over 100ish... that's no bueno

So I'm thinking about running without the rear spoiler and I've seen a few cars and sort of like it. If you've got any more pics, or anybody here not running theirs post em up. I wanna see em

HalfInchWrench

I've hit over 145 a lot of times and never noticed the rear lifting or any other handling problem for that matter. Where did you hear that? Taking the wing off makes the car look horrible.

crazyjim

I dunno I read it somewhere on http://www.gtasourcepage.com/


I'm not quite sure where, it's a lot to read through haha. I'll see if I can find it.

crazyjim

ok my bad, apparently it's the '91/'92



http://www.gtasourcepage.com/modelfeatures.html

in the EXTERIOR FEATURES section about 1/4 of the way down.

HalfInchWrench

Odd! Haven't seen that page in years. Don't know if there is any truth to it. Recently got a 91 GTA but don't think I've taken it much over a 100.

MoroteZ28

my firebird doesnt have a spoiler right now as iam gettin a wrap around but it does look good with out a spoiler ill have pics soon

f355bird

iTrader: (2)

I have pics of my formula with no spoiler if you want to see

SteelTownMadDog

iTrader: (2)

Funny he doesn't mention his degree in aerodynamics anywhere on the site. You have to take these things witha grain of salt. None of the "aero" packages that came with these FBodys from the factory are meant to enhance the downforce on the car, just cosmetics. If GM would have actually done R&D for these, the price of the cars would have skyrocketed.

firebirdjosh

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, the guy probably hit some gusts of wind at 100+ and blamed it on the spoiler.

okfoz

Not true, The 85-90 Aero Spoiler is VERY effective for creating downforce at speed. IIRC when Banks Turbo did a twin turbo Trans Am they used the STOCK spoiler at the Bonneville Salt flats, and it was effective at over 200 Mph. I have had my car over 120 mph and it sticks to the ground, I have never been that fast in any other car and have handle so well, it handles at 120 like my daily driver 95 Riviera does at 80 mph.

The 82-85 Trans Am base flat wing I would be surprised if it has much if any effect on downforce, however it is an inverted airfoil when you look at it closely. The 91-92 Aero spoiler does not nearly create the downforce of the 85-90 Aero Spoiler, although like the base wing it too is an inverted airfoil. Although the benefits are not as significant as the earlier version.

Likewise The Camaro's spoiler should help at speed.

John

fireturd350

iTrader: (8)

How do you think the Z20 spoiler rates in there between the base wing, 85-90 aerowing, and 91-92 areowing?

okfoz

Its hard to say without actually doing real world tests.

The Z20 option was only offered in 1988, and there are not many of them around. From looking at your car it appears however that the spoiler should create some good downforce at speed, probably better than a camaro, as it is taller.

But without a "test" its all arbrutrary anyways.

John

J's T/A

iTrader: (2)

I ran up to 160 and I chickened out way before my car or its useless rear spoiler did.. rock stable, blew the mustang away though..

I was watching the rpm gauge and realized I had just maxed out fourth and was now in fifth gear, it was a moment..

crazyjim

yea definately I do


Here's the only one I've found, I kinda like it.

HalfInchWrench

I hated the 91-92 style birds when they came out. Had every intention of converting my 91GTA to the -90 style when
I bought it. It's grown on me so I changed my mind and will leave the 91 looking the way it does. The young kids
that see the both styles together like the 91! Must have been very futureistic for it's time. When I bring up the
Banshee origional concept they get a little freaked out.

The 4th gens came out a short time later and I hated them. Thought GM ruined the car. I was mad at GM for years
and fillally buckeled when they put in the LS1 and changed the front end. I bought a brand new one.

I have a feeling the guy that wrote a 91+ GTA couldn't handle is sorta coming from the way I felt cept he is hanging
on to his grudge.

Best I can tell, it handles fine. Come spring I will bring her up to top speed on the freeway about 4AM when there
is nobody around. Had my 98 over 175mph with no ill effects. I know what speed feels like. That will be the final
grade for me. Not what I read on a web site.

Sitting Bull

The 3rd gen's beautiful lines come through loud and clear, whether it has spoilers or not

f355bird

iTrader: (2)

I found 3 pics i had more but dont know where they went. My 3rd brake light is still there but u get the gist of it.

crazyjim

You know I think I REALLY like the looks of it... I just may have to run without a spoiler

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

camaros look good without them too!

90firebird

using this pic of my dad's car as an example, I can easily see how the wing can actually force air underneath the side at high speed and create lift vs. downforce..

HalfInchWrench

Take a piece of level ground. Check it for level. Then park the car on the same level spot and put the level on the spoiler. Figure out which way the force would be. If you want to get complicated then account for the rake of the roof and rear window. There is no way in hell that spoiler lifts the car.

I still don't like the look of a 3rd gen without a spoiler no matter Camaro or Firebird. I don't like the look of a 3rd gen without skirts either. Skirts on a 4th gen looks horrible.

Zepher

iTrader: (1)

My car looked pretty decent without a spoiler,


here is a vid to see the car in action,
http://www.transamws6.com/video/ZepherWS6.mpg

crazyjim

ok angle isn't everything to do with it. There's so much more, that even I don't understand.

I didn't mean to step on anybodies toes here. However, people here referrence to GTAsourcepage all the time in good faith. I assumed (I know I know) that he had reputable sources and perhaps had READ some testing done. Also, how I read it, it wasn't talking about just the spoiler, it was talking about the entire aero package meaning the body kit on the '91/'92's

crazyjim

Yup, I love it


I love the cam chop too. To me the car just looks sleeker and a heluva lot smoother without it. Although, if it comes down to it not performing well without it, then it's goin back on haha. But I'll mostly be canyon running with the car, I won't be seeing 150+ in it very often. Too much trouble doing that back in the day