Quote:
Originally Posted by EcoVan
The van is in need of alignment and maybe a front end part and we need a new NOX #1 sensor, but I did have a chance to run a few miles with the new airdam/valance in place. I appear to have gained about .75 to 1 mpg @ 68 mph in 8th gear from 33.3 to 34+. What was more interesting is at about 62 MPG in 7th gear I used to run about 31 to 32 mpg and now was running 34mpg. I think at least the change did no harm. I would expect the factory air dam to be higher than optimum ( it has steadily gotten lower over the years), since GM wouldn't want it getting ripped off on jobsites. I've still got 7 1/2 inch clearance with the van loaded. I suspect getting the front belly pan in place and tied and sealed to the back of the airdam will cut the vacuum drag behind the dam and I should see further gains with increased cooling air flow through the grill... allowing for some grill block. ( the van comes with a factory grill cover for winter use).
It's a couple weeks before the repairs get done, so further testing then.
|
On the 2015 F-150, and on a CdA-basis, Ford measured the drag minimum with about one-inch of the bottom of the differential's 'pumpkin' still exposed to the airstream.
This suggests an initial belly pan test at this elevation, with a small blister fairing behind the exposed portion of the pumpkin, mounted, or integrated into the diffuser.
BamZipPow's Toyota T-100 diffuser floats with the rear axle, with the trailing edge captured within a transverse slot below the tailgate area, acting as a 'hinge.' It's very clever!
