"Aero" Beast (1989 Grand Wagoneer) - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

jmedia · 02-11-2010, 01:29 PM

Hey all,
Loving the site so far for my escort.
But I have another love in my life that is basically a brick on wheels.
My 1989 Grand Wagoneer
She is gonna be my summer project, gonna swap a diesel and a 5 speed into her.
I am curious about working on the aerodynamics, but I know there is not much to work with. I am pretty confused on how to calculate the Cd of my vehicle.
And i was wondering if there is any kind of wind tunnel software I could use

thanks

MetroMPG · 02-11-2010, 01:50 PM

To calculate Cd, you need either a wind tunnel, or an investment of time in some coast-down testing.

See this instructable: Measure the drag coefficient of your car

shovel · 02-11-2010, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmedia

I am curious about working on the aerodynamics, but I know there is not much to work with.

Seems to me that the worse your starting position, the easier it is to make improvements...

jmedia · 02-11-2010, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shovel

Seems to me that the worse your starting position, the easier it is to make improvements...

Well then this should be REALLY easy cause i actually drive a brick on wheels

jmedia · 02-12-2010, 12:55 PM

New possible body lines for when I cut into the rig this summer?

sketched in the middle of thermodynamics class haha

shovel · 02-13-2010, 12:45 AM

Your car of course, so do as you will... I never understood the obsession guys seem to have with cutting the back off a wagon to make it into a micro-pickup. I've seen dozens, maybe hundreds online and IRL, none of them look practical and most look cobbled up, few look finished.

jmedia · 02-13-2010, 01:14 AM

Well I was thinking of it from an aerodynamic standpoint

MadisonMPG · 02-13-2010, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmedia

Well I was thinking of it from an aerodynamic standpoint

Don't.

jmedia · 02-13-2010, 01:28 AM

Ha well um thanks?

Jethro · 02-13-2010, 02:20 AM

If you wanted to do it from an aero standpoint, you want to keep airflow attached for as long as possible to the smallest possible point. I've been reading WAY to many thread on here about it. There is TONs of GREAT information to be had from this site. Just don't ask, or they'll refer you to *gulp* BOOKS. (I personally hate books)