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Old 04-08-2010, 11:29 PM   #10 (permalink)
robertwb70
EcoModding Apprentice
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 135

1991 RED Metro 1.0 Auto - '91 Geo Metro Lsi Auto
Team Metro
90 day: 38.28 mpg (US)

1991 3/5 2 door Blue/green - '91 Geo Metro
Last 3: 42.6 mpg (US)
Thanks: 54
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Found the bigger version

And the text that goes with it-
"As the car travels through the air, some of the airflow is directed around the nose and to the sides of the front fenders and wheelwells. If the sides of the nose are angled from a top view, the air will flow out away from the wheelwells and create a very low-pressure area just outside the wheels. The air under the hood is mostly stationary, and some of that air rushes to the wheelwells to fill the void created by this suction. This creates a low-pressure area under the hood, and the pressure differential between the top and bottom creates the downforce needed to provide more grip in the front of the car."
From- Aerodynamics - Tech & Definitions - Circle Track Magazine

Probably not 100% true for many FWD cars (like mine) since the wheel well is separated from the engine compartment, but the idea for the outside flow is relevant.
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