>>BIG<< project- hoping for everyones participation!

[max_frontal_area]

My name is john i live in the pacific southwest (USA) i recently purchased one of the most un-aerodynamic vehicles one could imagine.
i have not had a chance to establish current MPG however scratching 10 would be on a sunny day!

I am looking for any advice - i do favor practical over theoretical ideas...

but for now heeeeeeeeeeeeeere's groovy!
no ez way to post , come c my profile.

[UfoTofU]

Welcome, if you want to measure efficiency, check out instrumentation

[Daox]

Hello John. Welcome to EM!

It would really help us if we knew what this most un-aerodynamic vehicle was.

[UfoTofU]

Originally Posted by Daox

It would really help us if we knew what this most un-aerodynamic vehicle was.

When I looked at his profile, I saw

and

[skyl4rk]

I've seen that kind of thing happen when a vehicle is parked in olde Detroit too long.

[MetroMPG]

Most of the drag reduction is going to happen at the back of the truck. (I suspect you already know this, judging by your chosen username!) The max frontal area exists at the very end of the vehicle = bad news.

So boat-tailing will help, as will shrouding the rear wheels by extending a skirt below the box, as you've probably started to see on tractor trailers.

That's just a start....

[Christ]

pie-cut that box, turn it into a beetle-shell... there's a killer aero-mod for you.

[max_frontal_area]

Originally Posted by kitaimdao

Welcome, if you want to measure efficiency, check out instrumentation

ty kitaimdao, i recon a mechanical flowmeter that could measure fuel consumption in realtime would be needed. my rig is a 91 (mechanical diesel) and i couldn't imagine the electronics what few it has would be alble to offer any data...?

[max_frontal_area]

Originally Posted by Daox

Hello John. Welcome to EM!

It would really help us if we knew what this most un-aerodynamic vehicle was.

91 ford e-350 7.3l intertrashional IDI with a high roof (old syle) cargo box.
the flat spot above the cab measures 3' x 8' !!!
essentially it is a stubby u-haul on a HD van chassis. heavy even when empty
and it punches one huge hole in the air when actually moving. i am asking you guys to dig deep. i have a 60 mpg 1.5L IDI rabbit as well as a 70 mpg 1.6L IDI jetta without areo mods exept for the jetta's 4" air dam. but this ride will take lots of work under bonnet, front, back and sides to get to 15 or even 20 mpg.
it is currently NA but if all goes well tomorrow i will pull some turbo pumbing from a junker which looks like it has something like a k-26 on it. an upgrade to a VNT from a powerstroke or cummins and the addition of an air to air chiller will help with torque! power but mostly mpg.

have at it ;~> just ask if you need any additional info.

than you,
john

[max_frontal_area]

Originally Posted by skyl4rk

I've seen that kind of thing happen when a vehicle is parked in olde Detroit too long.

actually if left to me i would leave it this way, the mural on the right side
is stunning, but society has not yet progressed sufficiently.