Reducing notchback drag; New Ideas

[JPTrucker]

I think it might help, mainly as wind fences on the sides. I think that is what lunarhighway is saying in post #9, point 1. I think wind fences could be beneficial on a lot things, particularly pickup trucks. I have done no testing to confirm or disprove this, just a hunch.

[SVOboy]

As others have said, I think if you do something to prevent the flow from detaching at the back glass you might make use of the boundary layer effect.

However, I suggest you go ahead and try it! It would look cool, anyway

[Frank Lee]

Yet another reminder is many of us experience strong x-winds on a regular basis. Once I calculated it and I see 11-22 degree yaws on a regular basis. I suspect fins in the yawed condition would be more a liability than an asset. A 14 mph x-wind can cut fe 13% at 55 mph.

[majestic]

Good point Frank. I think I'll stick to some vortex generators to achieve a similar affect.

[Frank Lee]

vortex generators

my car has a built-in vortex generator, it's called the *** end.

[Christ]

I was waiting for that response...

[aerohead]

You're graphics are top-notch! I like where you're trying to go but my brain has hit two glitches.I suspect that from the driver position,unless the vanes are splayed out to respect line-of-sight through the rear view mirror,you'll develop tremendous blind-spots at each side of the rear windshield.---------- The other thing that may enter the picture,is much surface area friction and shedding vortices behind each vane due to dead spots close to and directly behind each vane.--------- Something that worked on my CRX,was to keep the end plates and blend them into the C-pillars,then,at the "top" of the vanes,construct a single flat spoiler shelf which runs horizontally right up to the backlite.The air captured below the shelf will be below the Kamm profile,and above it,you'll have a single attached vortex which the outer free stream will bounce off,reattaching at the tail of the shelf.--------------- There's a lot less skin friction,it's simpler to construct,rear visibility is maintained accept at the extreme sides and it's lighter and should do the cleanup just as well.