Barbs Aero MakeOver

[jazzie604]

I think that the "which opening" question may best be answered depending on where the factory coolers are located. Many cars do use the lower opening as the main source of intake air, so that is going to commonly be the best one to use. Be careful, cause some vehicles (like mine) use the side openings for oil and/or transmission coolers as well. I think that a lot of aero help could be done by completely boxing in the coolers as necessary to make sure that you are getting the most of the opening you have. By doing that, you may actually be able to further decrease the opening you have; doing the exact same thing that Nascar drivers do on the front of their race cars. Watch closely and you'll see the pit crew either adding or taking away strips of "200mph tape" to the front of the car. Those guys prove that a 2" strip makes a difference in aero, so every little bit helps. It just may be more prevelant at 200 mph

[metroschultz]

After reading all the replies here, and reading all I can in the aero Section, and knowing my own limitations, I have a plan. (insert "A TEAM" music here)
Today we smooth the under body of the car.
I have coroplast
I have aluminum flashing
I have lots of hardware, some is even stainless
If time permits I will also attempt to guide the airflow through the front to the radiator and other necessaries so I can close some of the lower front, else it stays as is.
So off I go to acquire the car and get my lazy a$$ busy.
S.

[jazzie604]

oh yeah, where are you heading to in Ky? visiting or moving here?

[boxchain]

That will look factory-ish from most other cars, which is what I think you were going for. Nice workmanship!

When cutting thin, brittle plastics with rotary tools, take some painters mask tape and make your cut line on it. Same way you cut a laminate countertop. It will help keep the pieces together and give you a cleaner line.

I would think that a GB from behind would just create giant stagnation areas in every crevice, and be detrimental.

[metroschultz]

I did not have time to post these before the trip.
many things did not get accomplished.
I ran out of coroplast, DUH.
I could not make an intelligent decision on how to attach it to the undercarriage anyway.
SO, I went to my friend Ralphs repair shop and did what I felt was most important, thus,
I did clean up the front under-tray and rotate and balance my tires.
wanna see it?
here it is.

This is the front underside of Barbs car. Here you can see the torn OEM lower panel. Also a good shot of the corner inserts.


Here is a closeup of the torn lower panel.

Here is a shot of the repair done with coroplast and using the OEM mounting points. I had to use my (Ralphs) hardware in some spots.
Nicer, don't you think?
I have also noticed that my fan does not come on during highway driving. I used to hear it when the temp gage got to the very center.
Now the temp gage does not get to the very center on the road but will in traffic, then I hear the fan again.
The other thing I notice is there is less engine noise at highway speed, perhaps I was hearing the noise from the torn panel flapping in the wind?
There you have it.
Now I have to figure how to attach to the rest of the underside and get more coroplast.
S.

[metroschultz]

So I found this Lower Air Dam (chin spoiler for you ricer types)
at the Bone Yard (Auto Parts Recycler for you P.C. types)
It came from a Chevy Blazer and is a little narrow,but it also is a little squared.


See


However, heat guns are wonderful tools.
I used mine to reshape the ends.


Half an hour later with the help of some screws and a drill it is installed.
I like the design of the GM spoiler.
It has a lip on the bottom which I believe will keep more air from the underside of the car..
I could not just make one out of coroplast because everything that goes on this car has to appear stock.
The wife hasn't seen it yet, she is still getting ready for work.
In a few moments I find out if it stays or if it goes.
(Enter refrain from Kinks song;
Should I stay or should I go now
If I stay there will be trouble
If I go it will be double)
Later Dudes,
S.

[Tourigjm]

my guess is she won't notice immediately

[metroschultz]

Tourigjm,
Yeah she noticed, the look is O.K. for her. But I could tell she was not thrilled.

Another note,
I drove the car to work last night, and I discovered.
drum-roll please
It's to D@MN close to the ground.
Barbs car was already pretty close to the ground, but this thing scrapes everywhere.
I either have to modify it or get a different idea werkin.
At first look it was the right size.
It hangs about an inch, give or take, below the front suspension.
Apparently it is far enough forward of the wheels that this is a bad spot. But I put it as far back as possible and it ends right in front of the wheels.
Oh well.
Tomorrow is another day.
S.