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Merlyn2220 · 04-27-2017, 01:02 PM

Most of it was pretty interesting, though not all of it was effective! I haven't done a chin spoiler yet, but am planning on doing that after I finish the passenger side skirts.

At the moment I'm working on the rear taper, and my results have been mostly inconclusive:

1) I know the non-tapered rear shell was not an improvement in FE or handling.
2) The initial cut taper on the sides made no significant change (20-30 degree taper).
3) Removing the non-tapered top entirely made a significant improvement (+5% FE).
4) Installing a somewhat tapered top made no difference vs no top.
5) Changing the side taper from 20-30deg to ~12deg seems to be a -5% FE.

I'm not sure on #5, since I fixed the A/C last week and used it a lot. So I'm running again this week with A/C and then probably next week without A/C to confirm. Basically I'm looking to get the rear taper "correct" before moving on to other areas like side skirts, bellypan, front spoiler, rear wheel covers, front tire air curtains, etc.

04-27-2017, 01:02 PM	#14 (permalink)
Merlyn2220 Deep Lurker Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Central Florida Posts: 53 Creepy Van - '95 Ford E150 Cargo 90 day: 14.45 mpg (US) Thanks: 5 Thanked 31 Times in 22 Posts	Most of it was pretty interesting, though not all of it was effective! I haven't done a chin spoiler yet, but am planning on doing that after I finish the passenger side skirts. At the moment I'm working on the rear taper, and my results have been mostly inconclusive: 1) I know the non-tapered rear shell was not an improvement in FE or handling. 2) The initial cut taper on the sides made no significant change (20-30 degree taper). 3) Removing the non-tapered top entirely made a significant improvement (+5% FE). 4) Installing a somewhat tapered top made no difference vs no top. 5) Changing the side taper from 20-30deg to ~12deg seems to be a -5% FE. I'm not sure on #5, since I fixed the A/C last week and used it a lot. So I'm running again this week with A/C and then probably next week without A/C to confirm. Basically I'm looking to get the rear taper "correct" before moving on to other areas like side skirts, bellypan, front spoiler, rear wheel covers, front tire air curtains, etc.