'90 Lincoln TC aero input sought

[Me-n-my-xfi]

Smashed up the hoopdee and can now mod it with no remorse.
Need to get it back on the road asap so will do the mods in stages.
Stage 1) Front end. After doing a bunch of reading I can't determine what would be the "best" (cost, time vs. effectiveness) front end to build. A) return to stock plus a big 'ole air dam - big swath of thick rubber sheet? B) big slopey wedge ala Centurian? C)Superbird nose style? or D) remove both frt fenders and fab. wheel spats (Aptera) and smooth enclose the engine and "stuff"?

I'm thinking of an electric water pump/ rad fan and laying the rad back 30 degrees-ish. This is probably stage 2. I'm not opposed to a belly, moon caps, all those things from the .17 civic. and mechanicals. Just want to get a good start on the front end first.

I drive 125 miles/day, avg. 21-22 hwy winter and 27 max. hwy summer.
No scan gauge.

All input & questions welcome!

Thanks!

[Vman455]

If you have room, laying the radiator forward and ducting it to the hood would be the lowest-drag configuration, according to Buchheim as reported by Hucho--10 counts lower than ducting it to the wheel wells like the Aerocivic.

[ksa8907]

Fastest fix would be to utilize what has already been engineered and built, junkyard parts.

If you're good with woodworking, there are examples of people making good looking mods on wrecked cars. Plenty of stain and sealant and it will last a while too.

[ennored]

Count me in the junkyard parts to fix it camp. While your there, find a 2.73 axle. Assuming you have a 3.08, 3.27, or 3.55 now that is. I think 2.73 is as low as you'll find. Can't recall exactly where to look for them though. Certain Crown Vics? I'd have to dig a little...

[kach22i]

You might want to try some light weight parts to replace the steel ones damaged.

Then again, if you happen to hit something again you might be sorry.

[freebeard]

When that happened to my Beetle:



https://www.reddit.com/r/Battlecars/

Lifted with belly pan and spats instead of air dam. It's a Panther body isn't it? A Crown Vic bull bar should fit.

[19bonestock88]

I vote for putting it back to stock and adding a big air dam like MetroMPG uses on his cars

[aerohead]

You might take a look at Ford's Probe-III concept car.It had Cd 0.22 and was the last forward-radiator concept they did.
Today's Ford Fusion,@ Cd 0.275 is near the low end of their offerings.You could also examine features you might steal.
As to the cooling system;currently,the easy way out for the manufacturers,is to do the active grille shutters.It may not be Hucho's 2% drag, race car,fully-ducted system,but it'd be a lot easier to fabricate/adapt.

[Me-n-my-xfi]

It's a Panther body isn't it?

Yup. Have a 2004 PI letting my nephew drive. Can swap those parts.
Not sure on the bull bar..............

[Me-n-my-xfi]

Moving slowly...Block's back all clean, ready for the new bearings, lifters, oil pump, seals and gaskets. Appearently has the wrong torque converter as the flywheel bolt heads are worn down, have to fix that later.