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Old 08-03-2020, 07:08 AM   #41 (permalink)
ACEL
Ecomodder
 
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Quebec Qc Canada
Posts: 52

AcuraMatata - '99 Acura EL Base
90 day: 36.82 mpg (US)

Le Vehicle - '12 Dodge Gran Caravan SE
90 day: 24.27 mpg (US)
Thanks: 10
Thanked 40 Times in 26 Posts
Unexpected front bumper cover modification

I have been looking at Tesla model 3 for sometimes and scratching my head about the shape of its nose. Some newer Ford Mustang also rode my street. These cars have something in common! The upper front facia profile!

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First pic is borrowed from "Tesla Model 3 aerodynamics!" :

Second picture is borrowed from "Tesla M3 DIY Wind Tunnel Testing - Front End Aerodynamics" :

Tesla Model Y shares the same "filtrum" in front fascia. Also, the most recent Ford models like the Fiesta, Focus, Fusion and even the Escape share that convex pointed nose. See attached pictures for proof.

Hypothesis: Since the Ford models horizontal upper edge is located over the upper front grille, when the grille shutters are closed, the boundary layer thickens and the air flows pretty much the same way as for a solid obstacle (Tesla). With a blocked upper grille, the air may be flowing as with the grille shuttered. Then the only cooling air enters the engine compartment from the lower mouth. Could a massive bumper cover be modified to increase the air flow to the bottom air intake mouth and reduce some drag from the top part of the car?

So, I thought 2 things.

1. Tesla and Ford may be onto something aerodynamically beneficial;

2. If this fascia type is good for some cars, could it bring some good to my car?

Guess what! It is in some way for my old 1999 Acura EL.

Pictures, description and results in my next post!

Cheers!

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__________________
Acel



See many mods in detail with results on my modification thread for my 1999 Acura EL, similar to US Civic EX

Facts, please, give me the facts! Theoretical knowledge is verified by empirical knowledge! Check Einstein's General Relativity Theory E=MC^2! Every few years some new astrophysics observation and data prove some of Einstein's theory predictions more than a century old.

Last edited by ACEL; 08-03-2020 at 09:36 AM.. Reason: Correction and completing
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California98Civic (08-04-2020), oldtamiyaphile (08-09-2020)