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Optimize Aerodynamics & Driver Access

14:48
33:57
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At 14:48 in

What Exactly is a TransAm Race Car? Inside Pancho Weaver's Basement Shop - Where Innovation is King

What happens here

Install aerodynamic components, including a large front splitter for significant downforce and strategically placed vents on the hood. Air intake for the engine goes to the top half of the radiator, while the lower part of the front opening feeds a laid-over radiator, optimizing cooling and airflow. A large rear wing will also be added to enhance downforce. Note the side 'fat man door' that opens to allow drivers to get in and out easily, which is part of the custom chassis design.

Goal: Maximize downforce, optimize cooling, and improve driver egress/ingress.

Tools and materials

  • Custom Side Door — Facilitating driver entry and exit
  • Front Splitter — Generating front downforce
  • Laid-Over Radiator — Efficient engine cooling, integrated with front aerodynamics
  • Rear Wing — Generating rear downforce (not yet installed)

What they say

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arrow in from the front and it we have this big shelf right here that really supplies an awful lot of down fors and uh then the radiator tams in the the top half inch or excuse me the top inch goes to the air cleaner and then the lower goes to a laid over radiator um I don't know if you can see here and then as it goes through the radiator you can see it kind of laying down there a bit yeah there's a big carbon fiber funnel that comes up and matches the hood lets the air come out the hood and then you know down the road and attaches to the one that kind of bends over the it's actually increased our our entry and Corner speed so much this last year that it's threw the gearing off a little bit so we're back into the you know readjusting the the gearing in the car just because we're carrying so much speed coming out of the corner now and more speed going down straight away this kind of helps the drivers get in and out we have this little linkage right here that kind of allows you to get in and out they call it the fat man door but uh so is there a weight minimum or anything for this yes there's a weight minimum so um I think it's 27 Nathan what's the weight minimum now 27 273 2730 2730 so do you use lead anything uh we do yeah this car has a little bit in it cuz it's so much lighter than the rest of the cars but it's uh the other cars they found that it's just pretty much they get heavy quickly you know with all the systems that go on and a lot more sensors and it's just really kind of got this is a simplified uh you

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