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Old 12-14-2011, 01:36 PM   #20 (permalink)
66sprint6
EcoModding Apprentice
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Middle TN
Posts: 111

WorkHorse - '88 Ford F150 XL
90 day: 13.5 mpg (US)

DailyBeater - '93 Ford Escort LX
Team Ford
90 day: 39.37 mpg (US)

The ST - '13 Ford Focus ST
90 day: 26.78 mpg (US)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard View Post
Another test might be to put a couple of small leaves or pieces of paper resting on the windshield on the wipers. I think that on most vehicles, a majority of the area around the wipers is a stagnant pocket of air. The air simply doesn't flow close to the car in this area.

And any mods you make here will have virtually zero effect. Smooth wheel covers - check. Wheel skirts - check. Kamm back - check. Grill blocks - check. Wheel strakes - check. Belly pans - check. Boattail - check. But wiper deletes and cowlings won't make much of a difference, if any.
I would love to mock up a sort of windtunnel and play with it but I might try your idea...Ive noticed before on my truck how leaves get stuck and they will flap all around but usually only dislodge entirely when I run the wipers and get them into the airstream...the flapping tho tells me that somethin is goin on down there. I know some cowl induction hoods draw air from this area...hmmm. I need to make up some of those "tuft" test thingies from some yarn or whatever.
Matt
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