Quote:
Originally Posted by Isaac Zachary
The phrase: "there comes a point of diminishing returns." comes to mind. The question I'd have is how much would I benefit from the work involved. To get everything "optimal" in my mind requires not only redesigning the rear window and trunk area, but also making my own windshield and hood. At what point does optimal become OCD?
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Well, here's an example: I have my truck now, and the first thing I want to test is an airdam below the factory front valance. I could follow the (dubious) rule of thumb here that an airdam shouldn't extend below the lowest-hanging component under the truck, and based on that assumption build a permanent airdam and hope that it's the best design. Or...I could build a simple mock-up out of cheap coroplast and tape it to the valance, extend it all the way to the road, and use throttle-stop testing to measure the change in drag as I cut several inches off to test it at different heights and find the actual airdam height that reduces drag the most
on my truck. Then I'll make a permanent airdam at the same height that I know is doing what I want it to
because I measured it before I invested the time, effort, and money to build it.
"Optimal design" doesn't mean anything short of reshaping an entire car isn't worth doing.