I hope you don't mind if I add a little to your question; it's not that I'm dodging what you are asking, it's that I'm not seeing all the questions that I am asking myself. Side edit: the below information suggests the largest gain is enclosing the undertray. Yet, if you do that, you are kinda commited to venting radiator flow out the hood and over the car.
The NSX-R (2002) compared to the US NSX (1997):
Increased front downforce 79.6 lbs @108 mph
Increased rear downforce 55 lbs ""
To reach a targeted 40/60 balance front to rear at 108mph.
Was Honda concerned about the static pressure margin, or just matching the weight distribution?
From re-reading the honda nsx-r lit on the website, they did indeed tune out some static margin to take the car from high speed understeering to high speed "mild" understeering. Matching the weight distribution makes the car handle with the same characteristics at high speed that it does at low speed.
Increased front spring rate 197%
Increased rear spring rate 123%
Increased the spring bias to 120% from 86% front/rear (100% being neutral)
Why such a jump in front spring rate and why the significant change in spring bias?
The increased aero allowed honda to get more aggresive with the mechanical grip. The increased front downforce reduce tire slip and they went after the additional available mechanical grip.
Lowered the front of the car x.x inches
Lowered the back of the car x.x inches
changed the front roll center x.x inches
changed the rear roll center x.x inches
changed the roll axis by x.x degrees
Ran out of time to look up the figures and muse.
See what I'm getting at about looking at the whole package and not each individual piece, one at a time? The larger gain made on the front was:
The underbody panel Clf -0.040 and they were sure to point out the longitudinal fins?
The hood Clf -0.025
The radiator shroud Clf -0.010
Reducing the condensor openings Clf -0.025, interesting, hmm
The rear diffuser Clf -0.002 and Cd -0.003
The rear spoiler Clf -0.085, where's the drag value for that one:smile:.
