aerodynamics

[kilgojr]

http://www.carbonweezel.co.uk/testing_mini.html

[Welacey]

Very cool John.

[nicktcr]

So out of those, it seems a splitter is the most beneficial/easiest to accomplish? Can we as ALSCCA all chip in and purchase a windtunnel for vehicle development?!

[Cholewa]

So out of those, it seems a splitter is the most beneficial/easiest to accomplish? Can we as ALSCCA all chip in and purchase a windtunnel for vehicle development?!

The closing in of the grille space to only feed air to the radiator is also very important. 20lbs of lift may not seem like much, but that's not good.

I'm curious to see what would happen if they spaced the back of the hood up a bit right before the windshield, see if any of that smoke comes out there or if it still goes out the bottom.

[kilgojr]

The closing in of the grille space to only feed air to the radiator is also very important. 20lbs of lift may not seem like much, but that's not good.

I'm curious to see what would happen if they spaced the back of the hood up a bit right before the windshield, see if any of that smoke comes out there or if it still goes out the bottom.

I think they did have the back of the hood open. They said that the "old racers trick" of opening up the back of the hood actually causes the air to go backwards instead of escaping out towards the windsheild.

[TouringBubble]

I think they did have the back of the hood open. They said that the "old racers trick" of opening up the back of the hood actually causes the air to go backwards instead of escaping out towards the windsheild.

Exactly. That introduces turbulence and creates a high pressure area. Good for aero (assuming the hood rake is enough to matter) but nothing special for cooling. Of course, it is possible to use the louver theory to make this a low pressure area, but the rake on the glass is the key to all this, and it's generally not a possibility.

The biggest thing I've learned about fluid dynamics in terms of cooling is that so many people think of getting the air to something, but not so much about getting it out the other side. Having a clean exhaust for the air without turbulence or interference from other factors is key.

For "downforce," my preference is always to reduce lift first, then add downforce. Downforce adds drag, and so does lift. So, eliminating lift reduces drag and helps keep the car on the road. Basically, do everything you can to stop the air from pushing the car upward before adding things to push it downward.

[nicktcr]

This thread is making me happy.