7 replies to this topic

[xfire]

Early this year, Ferrari changed their exhausts in someway, redirecting the exhaust flow for aerodynamic benefit.

What did they do? Does it feed into the slipstream, reducing the turbulence and adding jet propulsion? Does it direct upward, providing extra downforce? Is it directed over some vanes to capture downforce?

How signifcant is the outflow of the exhaust of these engines at high rpm? Can anyone quantify the available force?

[silver]

The reason why Ferrari began using that new exhaust system is not increase downforce.

The real reason is to make car more stable in corners.
In old system when a driver was playing with a throttle he was at the same time upsetting the car.
In the new system that is not the case.

In the old system exhaust pipes were down and they had to end before diffusor(?). That way when you lift off and gave gas it tend to upset the car.

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Only two things are infinite; universe and human stupidity; and I am not sure about the former
-Albert Einstein-

[Maroon]

I thought the primary reason for the exhaust exiting through the top of the engine cover instead of out the back of the car was due to new regulations dictating a shorter "tail pipe". The shorter pipes meant that key components (suspension & rear wing) are more prone to heat damage related failures.

[Christiaan]

The exhaust also reduces the drag on the rear wing by stopping boundary layer seperation.

[Frank R. Champs]

I'm pretty sure that the primary stated reason why Ferrari went to upswept exhaust outlets was for stability reasons.

Exhaust usually exits through the diffusor at the rear of the car. As the exhaust exits, it helps to speed up the airflow, lowering pressure underneath the car. The problem is, if the driver suddenly lifts off the throttle in the middle of the corner, the added downforce created by the exhaust is eliminated, and the car suddenly becomes unstable at the rear.

The other reasons cited here would probably be positive side effects to using this exhaust system.



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Frankie

[tak]

A short article in "Race Car Engineering" said that Ferrari got the best Dyno results with shorter exhausts. Venting into the diffuser caused aerodynamic changes with throttle. Exhausting above the belly pan but below the engine cowling roased rear control arms and CV joints. So now it comes out the top!

[xfire]

Tak-

Thanks for the detail reasons for the exhaust system changes. I had asked, as the explanations I had seen didn't make sense.

A undisturbing site to allow shorter exhausts pipes for better engine performance is a credible reason for the change!

[Christiaan]

Well, how much shorter is the length from the engine to a typical rear diffusor to where Ferrari's exhast is now? I'm only speculating but I looking at the exit point of Ferrari's exhaust and where a rear diffuser might exit, it seems that Ferrari is closer to the rear of the car. Just guessing because i do not know for sure where the exit point of the rear diffuser is.