Aerodynamics
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Clearfield, Utah, USA
Re: Aerodynamics
Like cover the front bumper? or the space between the bumper and the traction bar?
I'll let you know after the first of the year LOL. I have had this since April, but the first half of the year i had the car too low to the ground and it would trip the beams, after some suspension changes i got the car high enough, but had to make some changes to the catch pan. so finally in September I made those changes, but before making it back to the track i broke the oil pump and our race season ended.
Mine is 1/8th inch alum.
Not that I have noticed. and I did a lot of street driving with it on as well.
What are you guys who are putting belly pans making them out of? I've been doing alot of searching online and alot of good info out there on how to make them. But most of it is people doing it for gas mileage. So the spectrum is pretty broad. Some use 1/8" aluminium, some are using corrugated plastic, some use sheet metal, some fab up a mold and then do fiberglass.
I think fiberglass is too bulky. I'm thinking of taking some very thin aluminium sheetmetal for covering the exhaust, and then doing the rest in corrugated plastic just to see how it works. I'm just wondering if anyone else has use that, kinda worried it might deflect and warp at high speeds and be more of a hinderance than help. Has anyone tried this?
Also keep the pics coming.
I think fiberglass is too bulky. I'm thinking of taking some very thin aluminium sheetmetal for covering the exhaust, and then doing the rest in corrugated plastic just to see how it works. I'm just wondering if anyone else has use that, kinda worried it might deflect and warp at high speeds and be more of a hinderance than help. Has anyone tried this?
Also keep the pics coming.
Not that I have noticed. and I did a lot of street driving with it on as well.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Michigan
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: CT
Re: Aerodynamics
Look at Nascar. Their **** scrapes the ground all the time and I always thought it was to keep air from going under the car....
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From: lowell, mass, usa
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Re: Aerodynamics
Is there a 3" clearance rule when on the bumper when you stage up still? I thought that was a standard rule so it doesnt trip the beam or was that mainly the old SFWD NHRA rules?
If there isnt, then its possible to trip the beam early at the 1/4 mile.
If there isnt, then its possible to trip the beam early at the 1/4 mile.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Michigan
Re: Aerodynamics
I still don't understand your point and posts like these aren't helping.
Bonneville is the best case I can think of for high speed, low downforce aero and they're borderline scraping to keep air from going under the car:
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Joined: Feb 2009
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Re: Aerodynamics
This is the bottom of my car. I did this at the begining of last race season, The car tracks very straight on the top end, and seemingly picked up about 3-4 mph for the relative boost levels from the season prior. There was a few other changes as well so Im not totally convinced that it had a direct affect on the car, but from what I see it cant hurt. best pass to date is 8.35@166 mph last year same boost levels was about 8.6-8.7's at 160-161 mph. If I were running a dog box Im sure the traps would be in the 180mph range.
Yes the first third is sheet alumn with a catch pan built in, the rest is a light weight poly sheet that is compatible with gas and oil. It does go from bumper to bumper.
Yes the first third is sheet alumn with a catch pan built in, the rest is a light weight poly sheet that is compatible with gas and oil. It does go from bumper to bumper.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Lost in NB
Re: Aerodynamics
Do you have a full exhaust under there or does it exit the hood or side of the bumper?
If it's all the way back do you have something as a heat shield between the poly and exhaust?
How thick is your aluminium up front 1/8"? And the poly I'm assuming is 1/8" or 1/4"?
Just trying to figure out what the lightest material would be usable.
If it's all the way back do you have something as a heat shield between the poly and exhaust?
How thick is your aluminium up front 1/8"? And the poly I'm assuming is 1/8" or 1/4"?
Just trying to figure out what the lightest material would be usable.
Thread Starter
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From: Lost in NB
Re: Aerodynamics
I've also noticed alot of people completely covering their front end. Does it make a big difference? I know it is unreasonable to do so if you run an air to air intercooler.
I know I use to take my front bumper off for racing to get more air to the intercooler and everytime I did I went slower. So the curve of the front bumper was definately helping.
I know I use to take my front bumper off for racing to get more air to the intercooler and everytime I did I went slower. So the curve of the front bumper was definately helping.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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Re: Aerodynamics
i see our conversation got u to thinking. give me a couple of weeks and ill see how mine turns out