sc1 aero mods

[cfg83]

2000mc -

No problem here. I'm just adding the info I have. If you are seeing better MPG without the spoiler, then that's great. Maybe Saturn flipped the values by accident.

CarloSW2

[arcosine]

My '98 SC1 had a stock spoiler too, so that can't be the difference. It shows SL1 to have lower drag that SC1 and SL2. The '97 twin cams had wider tires, 185/65R15 vs 175/70R14 so they should have more drag. I would say this is marketing and not fact.

[2000mc]

The spoiler was a $245 option according to the window sticker on my car, but I think it was included on all sc2's. I think saturn got the numbers switched around, especially if you throw in the wider tires on the sc2, but I don't know if tires are always figured into drag.

[cfg83]

2000mc -

Originally Posted by 2000mc

The spoiler was a $245 option according to the window sticker on my car, but I think it was included on all sc2's. I think saturn got the numbers switched around, especially if you throw in the wider tires on the sc2, but I don't know if tires are always figured into drag.

Yeah, the published Cd for the SC# has been debated in the past. I'd like to think they got it mixed up too.

CarloSW2

[arcosine]

The natural color 1/16 thick HDPE sheet has arrived from Mc Masrter Carr. Very slippery to the touch, and stiffer than the PVC sheet. Probably wont hold paint well. I'll update on the fabrication.

[2000mc]

So I retested the spoiler today. From today's results it's a wash. Avg mpg 34.87 vs. 34.89, or about .05% difference. Now I was putting the spoiler in the trunk, so if you actually removed it from the vehice you might see larger gains because it weighs maybe 3lbs :P


update 9-8-12 finally decided to take off the spoiler after seeing arcosine's tuft test http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...p-22429-8.html

[cfg83]

2000mc -

Originally Posted by 2000mc

So I retested the spoiler today. From today's results
it's a wash. Avg mpg 34.87 vs. 34.89, or about .05% difference. Now I was putting the spoiler in the trunk, so if you actually removed it from the vehice you might see larger gains because it weighs maybe 3lbs :P

Thanks for the effort! Aero can be sooooooooo frustrating to test. From now on I will claim that Saturn's Cd claims for the different SC# models are suspect.

CarloSW2

[2000mc]

Unfortuneately if I assume that my retest is correct, whether the numbers are switched or not, i dont know what else could cause the difference.

[arcosine]

I added little fairings in front of the front tires and painted them silver. Theses are big tires, 205/70R15. I'll put similar fairings on the back of the front tires and the front of the back tires too, before putting on the front wheel skirts.

[cfg83]

arcosine -

Looking good :



CarloSW2