Belly pan or vortex generators?

[Otto]

Why paint it? The naked screen should be adequate to smooth the air flow, while allowing the exhaust system to vent heat. And, aluminum screen being about the world's best heat conductor, it will dissipate heat from any contact with mufflers, etc..

Or, you could use Coroplast along both sides, with aluminum screen just to cover the central tunnel and exhaust pipes/mufflers. The Coroplast could act to clamp the screen in place, nice and taught.

[tasdrouille]

I could only speculate that the paint might make the screen hold better. Isn't tearing of the material the main problem with screen bellypans?

[edbso]

An area under the cat,muffler and pipes was left unpainted.
The paint cost nothing as it was on hand, hence the "kitchen yellow" color.

AND it probably does improve airflow. Adequate is not enough for anything but Gov't work.

[Otto]

Originally Posted by edbso

An area under the cat,mufflet and pipes was left unpainted.
The paint cost nothing as it was on hand, hense the "kitchen yellow" color.

AND it probably does improve airflow.

Please keep us posted regarding before and after fuel economy, noise, etc. I'm seriously considering modding my BMW 325is in similar fashion.

BTW, what kind of glue did you use?

[trebuchet03]

I hope you're working with that thing on stands - not just supported by the jack o.0

Looks promising though

[edbso]

Thanks for looking out for me.

I use a 3 tone jack and stands with a wheel block.

[edbso]

Observation:

The car is quiter.
Wind noise reduced
as well as induction and or exhaust noise is decreased.

I also have found the CleanMPG.com and entered my recent gas log.

[Otto]

To me, noise reduction alone would seem to make this a worthwhile experiment.

The screen, in addition to making smoother airflow under the car and less noise in the first place, probably also reflects and absorbs noise by acting as an acoustic barrier of sorts. A smoother screen with better acoustic absorption would probably work even better.

Your aluminum windowscreen fabric is a great idea, and the price is right. To make it super-smooth after fitting it to the car, you could then use a flat table covered by smooth glass or plexiglass: Pour plastic resin such as polyester on the flat table and spread it evenly. While the resin is still fluid and before it sets up, secure the pre-fitted aluminum screen to the table, such that the resin penetrates and forms a matrix with the screen fabric. (A vacuum bag would help lots with this.) Once the resin hardens, peel the matrix off the table, and the hardened but flexible resin will retain the smooth texture imparted by the table top. Put the pre-fitted screen back on the vehicle for a super-smooth finish.

[COMP]

you have pics of the vacume bagging ???

[jim-frank]

Originally Posted by COMP

you have pics of the vacume bagging ???

There are some nice tutorials at the WISIL site, including one on vacuum bagging at http://www.wisil.recumbents.com/mars...FS00intro.html