Thanks John! (I'm not at my own computer)
As for the rest of it, I have come to the conclusion that this job doesn't pay enough. I have read and re-read several texts on vehicle aerodynamics. I have worked in vehicle design in industry. I have gotten all the aero training pilots get too. I have been to an SAE aero seminar and still have the coursework. I researched and composed an internal paper on aero for my former employer. I have toured several wind tunnels and spoke with the operators. I am not a professional aerodynamicist but I think I know more about it than the average bear. Not saying I couldn't ever be wrong, but...
Bottom line is, put forth the effort to find an authorative text and try to understand it. It's a bit much to cover piecemeal in a forum. THEN discussions about aero are less likely to be like discussions on religion and politics- more facts (or at least proven theories), less opinions.
I Googled but did not find online backup for my assertion that a behind-the-grille block is virtually no less aero than a before-the-grille block. As aerohead alluded to in post 4, a stagnant bubble forms then blah blah blah.
Same goes for parachute aero. If a parachute had a giant automobile shape behind it, well let's just say I would not want to be dangling from it. It is the aftbody influence...
Peace out.
