High wing downforce?

[CraZ8]

Do we know the downforce of the High Wing? Wondering if works in proper conjunction with the Z51 package.

[John]

GM has not yet released downforce numbers for the high wing Z51. However, one thing is for sure and that is, as Harlan told me, a key to us in developing the C8 was and is its proper car balance. As GM has two of the OEM’s most advanced street car development wind tunnels, I doubt that the high wing was not first computer sized, then tested and re-tested, including further fine-tuned by Kirk Bennion in the wind tunnel to insure that same excellent balance as the 400 lb downforce Z51 with its regular hybrid spoiler.

Might they have keep re-sizing the high wing so it during its development process so that it too has just about the same 400 # downforce? I will be surprised if we do not later learn that this was/is the case. Another question just added to my NCM 25th Anniversary “ask list.”

[455SDguy]

Do we know the downforce of the High Wing? Wondering if works in proper conjunction with the Z51 package.

One more question to ask John is how the High Wing effects top end speed. The C8 high wing is not as large as the one on the C7 ZR1 but it did reduce top end speed.

[John]

Thank you. However, we know GM will be releasing periodic info/spec blast announcements — perhaps not just pricing on August 15th? Perhaps some more at Corvette At Carlisle, Pebble Beach (if later confirmed), and definitively some more info at NCM’s 25th. However, for sure top speed in all three configurations is now on my “ask list.”

[455SDguy]

Thank you. However, we know GM will be releasing periodic info/spec blast announcements — perhaps not just pricing on August 15th? Perhaps some more at Corvette At Carlisle, Pebble Beach (if later confirmed), and definitively some more info at NCM’s 25th. However, for sure top speed in all three configurations is now on my “ask list.”

I just watched the Peterson Museum C8 VIP presentation and Kirk was asked the question about the High Wing stats. He stated that the High Wing is 3" higher off the deck than the Z51 stock spoiler, and he stated that it does create more down force than the 400 lbs the stock spoiler does but most important it does not create any drag limits. Awesome news Kirk.

[CraZ8]

I just watched the Peterson Museum C8 VIP presentation and Kirk was asked the question about the High Wing stats. He stated that the High Wing is 3" higher off the deck than the Z51 stock spoiler, and he stated that it does create more down force than the 400 lbs the stock spoiler does but most important it does not create any drag limits. Awesome news Kirk.

Thank you for that update!

[John]

Thank you 455SDguy. GREAT info. More than 400 pounds downforce with the high wing. That is great to know when someone at a cars and coffee gives me **** about my high wing being just for show LOL.

[455SDguy]

Thank you 455SDguy. GREAT info. More than 400 pounds downforce with the high wing. That is great to know when someone at a cars and coffee gives me **** about my high wing being just for show LOL.

I hope that with so many us wanting the High Wing they will reconsider making the 5ZU option a factory installed option.

[John]

Or install the brackets underneath the fascia for those who want the high wing, design a way for us to not need to remove the rear fascia to install it, maybe just to remove the rear trunk liner and with those brackets already factory installed, make the non-fascia-removal high wing install possible. That would be a dream.

[455SDguy]

The Peterson Video that I was referring to was done by youtuber Speed Phenom. Below is the link and it is a very good info video from 2 Chevy Engineers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sesjvy-CRVU&t=921s

[John]

Thanks 455SDguy for the above info and for this video link; this video has some good Q&A — though why do not folks just give up asking questions about future product which the GM team smartly ducks each time) — and thus use the time allotted to ask more questions about already revealed product.

[Frenzy36]

Great video, Nice to see that gorgeous woman climbing into the frunk. Would not have thought it was that deep.

[John]

I walked buy it the first time at the reveal thinking the frunk was pretty deep, then only when I doubled back did i realize that there was black, airline overhead bin bag (9”x14”x22” resting flat on the bottom of it). Even still over a 1” in height above it on its windshield side, and probably around 7” (maybe more) on its front side.

[SheepDog]

The high wing looks good, to me. If i reduces the top speed, I would notice often, if ever. I would notice the appearance delight all the time. The high wing is for us slow pokes, who hang around 40 to 120 MPH.. For being seen looking good.

[mpgxsvcd]

Does the High wing move up with the deck lid? It would be really hard to get anything in the trunk if it doesn't move up and out of the way.