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S197 "street-friendly" aero for CAM-C autocross

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Looking for insight about S197 aero as we make the effort to take the V6 Pony to the "next level" in CAM-C next year. I've seen a few top level builds in competition with full detachable splitters and lexan wicker bills/spoilers, but these cars are a little too far from the daily driver/street friendly end of the spectrum.

My goal is to figure out a less radical solution to get some more front and rear grip without compromising street manners. Additionally the aero package has to fall within the SCCA CAM-C ruleset (see below)

*Body Allowances

Front splitter, air dam, and/or spoiler may be added below the bumper and may extend a maximun of 6.0” forward from the integral bumper as viewed from above or the original body excluding non-integral bumpers.
  • Rear spoiler may be added, but may extend no more than 10.0” from the origi- nal body nor past the perimeter of the body. No rear wings may be added except OE or equivalent.

Thoughts for the rear aero:
It seems like the proven Steeda wing would be the easy option (as noted by @BillyJRacing), but I'm pretty sure it is illegal for the class based on the ruleset. Off the top of my head other options could be a replica Laguna Seca wing or a mild wicker bill addition to the stock spoiler. I recently came across this 3 inch wicker bill extension for the stock spoiler which might be a street friendly option: https://hardcoredesigns.pro/index.php/product/2010-14-mustang-hardcore-wicker-bill/

Thoughts for front Aero:
This are trickier for the front as the 11-12 V6 bumper is different from the GT, so the factory Boss 302 lip/splitter is not a simple affair (requiring a full conversion to a GT bumper and grill). Other options that I've seen so far include trying a larger lower air dam/lip or a small plywood splitter hard mounted to the frame. I'm far from an aero expert and this will be my first foray into developing my own aero package, I'm not sure if a simple lip/air dam will generate tangible results at autocross speeds (Sub 70mph most of the time). Steeda has some kind of air dam available for the GT/Boss that appears to be race proven, but the closest thing I can find for the V6 bumper is from Stillen ( https://stillen.com/products/2010-2012-ford-mustang-front-lip-spoiler-kb41522 )

Other thoughts:
It seems like hood vents are very popular amongst heavily tracked ponies on this site for both their increased cooling and some aerodynamic benefit. Would these same aerodynamic principles apply to the relatively low speeds of autocross? I'm wondering if I can get some additional front downforce with hood vents as an alternative to running a low hanging splitter/air dam (even though the car is only ~.5 inches lower than stock up front).

Any insights or first hand experience would be greatly appreciated as we try to take things to the next level


-J
 
179
309
Utah
Seeing your post title, I had to post this... This custom spoiler came on my car (2014 Mustang GT) when I purchased it last year. The car was setup for CAM-C. I have no autocross experience and didn't drive the car with this spoiler on it. (I had to remove all aero to class the car in NASA TT, I needed the +.4)

I can't speak to the legality in CAM-C or street-ability, but it is just sitting in my shed... Thought you might at least find the pictures interesting.

IMG_6047.jpeg

IMG_6046.jpeg
 

Bill Pemberton

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Very appropriate rear spoiler for CAM-C and you will see it mirrored on many Mustangs. I assume the car also has a front splitter? Sounds like the two folks questioning might be willing to take the spoiler off of Rod's hands.

Note to Rod........from one of your previous posts, keep in mind this car was set up with that spoiler and likely a front splitter for auto crossing , and it is not uncommon to find higher spring rates on cone killing machines. That could be part of your concern. Also do you still have your front splitter on?
 
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Kyle.engineers is my second favorite aero focused channel. Aj #1.

i like his line at around 3:20.

Something along the lines of if you are below 60 mph either do no areo or go really crazy.

does that line up with others autox experience?
 

Grant 302

basic and well known psychic
Swap to the complete GT/CS or Boss front end. Use the stock GT air dam, which is not on the Boss. Run the maximum splitter allowed.

Use a 10” spoiler mounted perpendicular to a chord between the roofline and the trailing edge of the trunk lid. Make it as concave as possible following the curve of the trunk lid.

Vents in the hood aren’t worth much at auto cross speeds. Wicker bills should be as big as possible. Whatever you can see over or Lexan to see through.

And don’t run your shocks at full stiff. 😉
 
Seeing your post title, I had to post this... This custom spoiler came on my car (2014 Mustang GT) when I purchased it last year. The car was setup for CAM-C. I have no autocross experience and didn't drive the car with this spoiler on it. (I had to remove all aero to class the car in NASA TT, I needed the +.4)

I can't speak to the legality in CAM-C or street-ability, but it is just sitting in my shed... Thought you might at least find the pictures interesting.

View attachment 71966

View attachment 71968
LOL, I have that exact item (on a black car too). Those must have been a Vorshlag item or something, I never asked the guy I got mine from.

IMO, you really want to focus efforts on a proper spoiler for the rear first. The other stuff isn't nearly as effective at autocross speeds. Maybe hit up RodS for that setup, find a spare decklid to use during race season and just bolt and unbolt the lexan for each event? Ugly, but you will immediately see the benefits to the spoiler at events. Even without a splitter to help balance, the spoiler is about the perfect thing on my car. I am setup to be pretty loose at low speeds and when you get in a high speed (45+)section or sweeper, the car biases back towards understeer and looses the twitchiness.

DaveW
 
179
309
Utah
Very appropriate rear spoiler for CAM-C and you will see it mirrored on many Mustangs. I assume the car also has a front splitter? Sounds like the two folks questioning might be willing to take the spoiler off of Rod's hands.

Note to Rod........from one of your previous posts, keep in mind this car was set up with that spoiler and likely a front splitter for auto crossing , and it is not uncommon to find higher spring rates on cone killing machines. That could be part of your concern. Also do you still have your front splitter on?
I had to take all the aero off in order to class in NASA TT3 (+.4 BTM Aero), so it doesn't have the splitter anymore. I will document that in the build thread for sure.
 
179
309
Utah
LOL, I have that exact item (on a black car too). Those must have been a Vorshlag item or something, I never asked the guy I got mine from.

IMO, you really want to focus efforts on a proper spoiler for the rear first. The other stuff isn't nearly as effective at autocross speeds. Maybe hit up RodS for that setup, find a spare decklid to use during race season and just bolt and unbolt the lexan for each event? Ugly, but you will immediately see the benefits to the spoiler at events. Even without a splitter to help balance, the spoiler is about the perfect thing on my car. I am setup to be pretty loose at low speeds and when you get in a high speed (45+)section or sweeper, the car biases back towards understeer and looses the twitchiness.

DaveW
Mine must be some kind of copy as the seller also gave me the damaged trunk lid they used to fab the spoiler. Sounds like they patterned it after something they saw in the market already.
 
LOL, I have that exact item (on a black car too). Those must have been a Vorshlag item or something, I never asked the guy I got mine from.

IMO, you really want to focus efforts on a proper spoiler for the rear first. The other stuff isn't nearly as effective at autocross speeds. Maybe hit up RodS for that setup, find a spare decklid to use during race season and just bolt and unbolt the lexan for each event? Ugly, but you will immediately see the benefits to the spoiler at events. Even without a splitter to help balance, the spoiler is about the perfect thing on my car. I am setup to be pretty loose at low speeds and when you get in a high speed (45+)section or sweeper, the car biases back towards understeer and looses the twitchiness.

DaveW
Some good insights in this thread, thanks TMO

Sounds like I need to go big or go home on the rear aero first, then see about adding an element to the front down the line.

Unfortunately, living in NYC I don’t have the storage space for another trunk lid. So it sounds like a spoiler with removable wicker bill might be the best fit

I know the Peachey brothers used someone out in PA to make their rear spoiler with removable bill on their CAM-S viper and that thing RIPS!
5A57D5CD-903F-4D88-9CE4-A6E311ABAD94.jpeg

I’ll reach out to @RodS197 but I’d imagine shipping will be a nightmare. Worth a shot!

Does anyone know of any off the shelf setups for the S197?

-J
 

Grant 302

basic and well known psychic
Not specifically for the OP, but anyone considering a maximum sized 10” spoiler for this purpose, mounted as I suggested should also consider a 90° Gurney flap to go with and make it fit under the 10” allowed. Just saying.
 
Not specifically for the OP, but anyone considering a maximum sized 10” spoiler for this purpose, mounted as I suggested should also consider a 90° Gurney flap to go with and make it fit under the 10” allowed. Just saying.
Was talking to the guys at Joefis racing this weekend and that very idea came up in discussion. Additionally a center cut was recommended to channel airflow through the center of the wing (think c7 corvette spoiler)

For anyone else interested, Joefis racing built the Peachey Viper spoiler and the aero parts for many top autocross cars. Spoke to them about the possibility of building a one-off rear aero package for the s197, not sure if the price and logistics are going to work out at this time

Although they don't have any specific aero data to back up their work, the proof is in the pudding with many national-level cars running their products

Still weighing my options and considering a DIY approach to experiment with different setups and configurations

-J
 

xr7

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Not specifically for the OP, but anyone considering a maximum sized 10” spoiler for this purpose, mounted as I suggested should also consider a 90° Gurney flap to go with and make it fit under the 10” allowed. Just saying.
I might have to pickup a spare truck lid and try this. Clear plastic
 

Grant 302

basic and well known psychic
Was talking to the guys at Joefis racing this weekend and that very idea came up in discussion. Additionally a center cut was recommended to channel airflow through the center of the wing (think c7 corvette spoiler)
Generally, I see such details as efforts to reduce drag for high speed, low yaw conditions (like high speed sweepers).
For AutoX, I’d say the opposite would be my recommendation. I’d actually consider elements that could push the envelope of rule sets. A center ‘fin’ in front of the spoiler would be one. Pretty much the opposite of a lower spoiler center or reduced angle wing.
Call it (or make it) a ‘support’ for the spoiler. 😉
 
Not specifically for the OP, but anyone considering a maximum sized 10” spoiler for this purpose, mounted as I suggested should also consider a 90° Gurney flap to go with and make it fit under the 10” allowed. Just saying.
I just glanced through the rule book and i don't know why I thought this, but I thought wickerbills/Gurney flaps were illegal. Besides the mod rules, I don't see anything allowing the or banning it. If the book doesn't say you can, you can't, but is a GF part of a spoiler or another item? Too deep thinking for a Monday :)

DaveW
 
Was talking to the guys at Joefis racing this weekend and that very idea came up in discussion. Additionally a center cut was recommended to channel airflow through the center of the wing (think c7 corvette spoiler)

For anyone else interested, Joefis racing built the Peachey Viper spoiler and the aero parts for many top autocross cars. Spoke to them about the possibility of building a one-off rear aero package for the s197, not sure if the price and logistics are going to work out at this time

Although they don't have any specific aero data to back up their work, the proof is in the pudding with many national-level cars running their products

Still weighing my options and considering a DIY approach to experiment with different setups and configurations

Didn't the other Peachey build his stuff out of plywood? I think the lesson here is to drive like either of those guys. :)

DaveW
 

Grant 302

basic and well known psychic
I just glanced through the rule book and i don't know why I thought this, but I thought wickerbills/Gurney flaps were illegal. Besides the mod rules, I don't see anything allowing the or banning it. If the book doesn't say you can, you can't, but is a GF part of a spoiler or another item? Too deep thinking for a Monday :)

DaveW
That is a good point, and I recall the same attitude or sentiments regarding certain organizations rules.
But there are OEM spoilers that include Gurney flaps like the ‘12(?)-‘14(?) GT500…which are de facto legal because OEM, right? Therefore, Gurney flaps shouldn’t be illegal ‘just because’. Made integral with the spoiler, I would at least try it, and I’m sure it could come under scrutiny and require an official ruling, or at least some discussion.
Or so goes my Monday thinking. 🤔

Off the cuff, I’d think the forward support might draw some interest. And either could raise eyebrows if attached to winning cars. Lol.
 
That is a good point, and I recall the same attitude or sentiments regarding certain organizations rules.
But there are OEM spoilers that include Gurney flaps like the ‘12(?)-‘14(?) GT500…which are de facto legal because OEM, right? Therefore, Gurney flaps shouldn’t be illegal ‘just because’. Made integral with the spoiler, I would at least try it, and I’m sure it could come under scrutiny and require an official ruling, or at least some discussion.
Or so goes my Monday thinking. 🤔

Off the cuff, I’d think the forward support might draw some interest. And either could raise eyebrows if attached to winning cars. Lol.
For good or bad, I spent 15 years on various SCCA National rules committees including a few on the SEB and 3 on the Solo Nationals Protest Committee.....

Even in the wild west ruleset of CAM, only an unmodified OEM spoiler would be allowed on a like car. E.G I could run the GT500 one you refer to on my '12 but not the new GT500 wing. The S550 guys were trying that wing, and the Camaro guys like the ZL-1 stuff but I don't think they have found it effective enough at low speeds, but I think it was determined legal.

The forward support would be considered an end plate (IMO) and not legal. They cover that in the interpretations.

Still no idea on the flap if it were part of the spoiler. That is a pretty interesting idea. I would need to get more front aero grip before I added more rear.

DaveW
 

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