Quote:
Originally Posted by MeteorGray
Good point about the need to actually measure the aerodynamic effects of any modification on a particular car and its particular body design. With all the variables involved, how does one actually know what will happen with a particular modification unless its effects are actually measured?
Theory might get you in the ballpark, but it takes a lot more effort to win the game.
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Yes, I agree. And when I got here in early 2011, the emphasis was on testing. Aerohead was part of that. He has done quite a bit of testing, including working at a wind tunnel. We usually did these tests on the road using a variety of measurement instrumentation. A few years ago, testing efforts fell off. Take a look at MetroMPG's guide to testing for forum members from 2009. Still useful:
https://ecomodder.com/forum/showthre...tml#post147532
I'd reject a too hard distinction between theory and empiricism. Theories are the result of empirical examination and can themselves be tested further. Darwin's theory is not an invention of his imagination. It was an empirical investigation testing somewhat different concepts. Science is not just an accumulation of measurements. The aerodynamic qualities of the so-called template and similar low-drag bodies have been investigated empirically. The only controversy about them is whether they are appealing or practical as road cars.