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Old 10-31-2014, 04:02 PM   #107 (permalink)
OG VX
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Mooresville, NC
Posts: 418

The OG VX - '92 Honda Civic VX
Team Honda
90 day: 68.64 mpg (US)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Mechanic View Post
The lighter the car the lower the sectional density, a term used in ballistics to explain how heavier (longer in bullets of the same diameter) projectiles retain velocity for longer ranges.

Basically you have less mass, with which to store inertia, and with less inertia your aero drag will slow the car down faster. Confirm this by adding passenger weight too see if coasting distances increase.

The cool thing is lowering your aero will lengthen coasting distances more that it would with a heavier car, so your aero is more important. Also less mass means the same bsfc will provide you with quicker acceleration, evidenced by your 44 mpg climbing a hill.

regards
mech
One of the most informative posts I've read here in a while. Thank you.

I figured I had a brake drag on the Civic, but last I checked the rear wheels spun (very) freely. This must be it.

Need to lower the OG VX pronto.
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"Yesterday as I was going in to the shop, I came upon a recently killed Armadillo in the middle of the road with one front leg sticking up. As I passed over him he "High Fived" my air dam. I thought that showed a great attitude on his part." -The Donkey CRX


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