Door gap reduction using neoprene tubing

[zman]

Low cost aerodynamic improvement to reduce the air turbulance of gaps aroud doors, hood and trunk is to cut a neoprene tubing of the correct diameter for the gap. Slice the tubing so you have a c-shape and then press the tubing onto the edge of the car part.

[Frank Lee]

Going from a gap to a bump- is that tested?

[zman]

I realize that optimal surface would be smooth and free of either gaps or bumps, but since air naturally "sticks" to a surface a gap is more disruptive to airflow than a oval shape bump. Both the bump and the gap will produce a wake, but a bump brings the surface closer to being areodynamically correct.

[theunchosen]

Could just use the neoprene as a strip and slide it into the gap itself and mount it to the car chassis instead of the door. Instead of cutting it in half cut it into like thirds and put that in there. Or just get weather stripping from Home depot or lowes and slap that in there.

[cfg83]

Hello -

Each situation is different. I put some weather stripping on the back of my front driver door as an experiment. I wanted to exploit the "concave" shape of the door to reduce the chance of the strip peeling off. Bad move. You could open the rear driver door, but there was always rubbing on the strip, and eventually it got all messed up, so I took it off. If I do it again, I will put it on the front of the rear driver door.

There's also lots of other weather stripping. It doesn't have to be C-shaped. It can be L-shaped for less or no "bump".

CarloSW2

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by zman

I realize that optimal surface would be smooth and free of either gaps or bumps, but since air naturally "sticks" to a surface a gap is more disruptive to airflow than a oval shape bump. Both the bump and the gap will produce a wake, but a bump brings the surface closer to being areodynamically correct.

Then turbulator tapes don't work?