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Old 12-31-2007, 05:49 PM   #18 (permalink)
bryan
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Darwin
Posts: 6

Trakka - '95 Volkswagen T4 Transporter / EuroVan Trakka Camperization
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Where's the solid data ? Waiting in your garage!

If you already have a mileage baseline (and I can't believe you'd be here if you don't!) just do it. This is the least visible and cheapest modification you can make to your car. I altered the contrast on this photo so you can see how complicated it is!

The $200 test - www.airtab.com
The $110 test - www.fuelsavers.com.au
The $2 test - right here!
Chop the bottom 1" off a relatively flat-bottomed yogurt container, then cut it into 12 or so pie slices - there are your little wings. You're after a 15 degree angle of attack to the local airflow - I'm guessing leading edge of the base perpendicular - check your dirt pattern for streamlines. Or do the tuft test. They also have to be thicker than the local boundary layer. I suspect on most trucks there is a separation bubble on the roof at the windshield, and the hood at the grill. Here 1/4" high VG's would be sufficient.

There is a natural clockwise vortex off the left corner (& vice versa) - I tried to reinforce that. It may, however,be worthwhile 'fighting' it.

I used white plastic & single side white tape - with a little more effort you could spray paint them to match. Wax the installation site, use double sided tape. A bit of citrus cleaner will take off the sticky stuff when you (re)move them.

Unlike global climate change, evolution and reiki you should be able to prove this one pretty quickly... ie in about 2 tanks of gas. The VW seems to say "yes", but don't ask me how it works. It only gets insured & driven for trips over 500 km so I can't give you anymore data for a few months. But I've been looking at my electric scooter...

Anyone who knows anything about aerodynamics feel free to jump right in.
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