aero on 2018 mustang

[mcrews]

Take a deep breath
]

http://a57.foxnews.com/images.foxnew....jpg?ve=1&tl=1

The Mustang’s new headlights look like they have small air intakes tucked underneath them, but it’s an illusion, they don’t go anywhere. Meanwhile, the vertical slits lower down on the front fascia aren’t there to cool the brakes, they create air curtains around the front wheels to improve aerodynamics.





Four fun facts about the 2018 Ford Mustang | Fox News

[Vman455]

When Ford introduced air curtains on the Mustang in 2014, their press release stated,

"It’s not visually obvious, but rotating wheels are a major source of aerodynamic drag. However, enclosing the wheels in skirts to smooth the flow just doesn’t look right, especially on a performance car like Mustang. Widmann and the aerodynamics team adopted a different approach for Mustang, giving it the first Ford application of wheel aero curtains.

Vertical slots in the outer edge of the front fascia channel air from the front of the car to openings in the wheel wells, directing it across the outer surface of the wheel and tire. The wall of high-speed air works much like a skirt to reduce drag while still leaving the beautifully designed alloy wheels fully exposed."

As the Preacher says, "All is vanity."

[ChazInMT]

Sorry, but wheels and tires are a mind blower when you consider what's really going on. To start with, remember the air is stationary......it is the car that is moving. On the bottom of the tire, where it is touching the pavement there is no air flow, it is stationary. At the top of the tire, it is moving in the direction of the car at twice the speed the car is going. At no time is it traveling backwards, only arching up and down.



I have no deep insight other than Dang, can't even begin to comprehend what's going on here. If you're trying to think of the airflow in simple terms around wheels and tires, you really have no understanding of it, cause it is far from simple. Remember, the tire is rolling inside a wheel well that is moving through air that isn't.

[Stubby79]

I like this approach.
I'll have to try it some day...

It addresses one of my headaches. You spend extra $$ to get nice light wheels - aluminum presumably - and they probably also look good, compared to the steelies you've replaced...and then you go and cover them up to improve airflow?

I'm not going to spend decent $$ just to cover them up. Probably why I've sat on the fence about both "issues".

[oldtamiyaphile]

Originally Posted by Stubby79

I'm not going to spend decent $$ just to cover them up. Probably why I've sat on the fence about both "issues".

That's the ecomodder's conundrum. A lot of what you'd otherwise like to do to your car, will likely cost you economy

[Stubby79]

Originally Posted by oldtamiyaphile

That's the ecomodder's conundrum. A lot of what you'd otherwise like to do to your car, will likely cost you economy

I know.

[jjackstone]

Originally Posted by Stubby79

I like this approach.
I'll have to try it some day...

It addresses one of my headaches. You spend extra $$ to get nice light wheels - aluminum presumably - and they probably also look good, compared to the steelies you've replaced...and then you go and cover them up to improve airflow?

I'm not going to spend decent $$ just to cover them up. Probably why I've sat on the fence about both "issues".

Then again, other than the weight savings, one could just have painted or vinyl wrapped wheel covers that look really nice. They could then be any type "wheel" one wanted. Mags, spoke, solid, or whatever your fancy desires.

JJ

[freebeard]

Stubby79 — I actually have a game plan, and a foundational part (a bumper over-rider installed as an under-rider), I'm just trying to figure out how to not drill holes in the new front bumper.

Once I have something that won't fall off, it's sheet ABS city.