Air dams?

[Grant-53]

For our younger readers, the 1966 Corvair was a rear engine car and a front chin spoiler or air dam would reduce lift.

[woodstock74]

Well I bit the bullet...





"Tested" it, went up and down the interstate to make sure there was no buffeting or anything untoward. At very least it isn't hurting. Unfortunately I don't have any better data acquisition at the moment other than the MkI eyeball and tach vs. MPH reading. So initial look showed we're inching closer to 2600 RPM @ 68 mph. Before I started all this 68 was just below 2800 rpm. Now we're just above 2600 rpm. The tale will be the fill up. Though need to look into a ELM adapter for the OBD. Has anyone tried the Torque app for Android? Sounds like a Scanguage for $20 (about the cost of the ELM adapter, the app is free).

[woodstock74]

Originally Posted by aerohead

And there is a very good likelihood that whatever airdam comes from the factory on a new car,has already spent a number of hours of refinement in the tunnel or inside a $billion,neural-net, 3-D, Navier-Stokes CFD program.

I don't know man, I really don't think they're doing all that much tunnel testing/CFD. At least not for the lower tier "econo boxes". If they were we'd struggle to find gains. In my career we'd spend hours in the wind tunnel and be happy to walk out with 1% reduction in drag. But this was on a highly refined race car. People on these forums are finding chunks without resorting to drastic changes (and they're finding huge chunks when they do). This speaks to a fundamental lack of development and refinement. We have to face it, cars are designed these days by accountants and focus groups. Yes, there are the exceptions: where it's profitable and can be used as a selling point.

[kach22i]

Woodstock74, that looks very nice.

[Sporty Modder]

Originally Posted by kach22i

Woodstock74, that looks very nice.

I agree.

[cfg83]

Sporty Modder -

Originally Posted by Sporty Modder

I agree.

Ibid.

CarloSW2

[BamZipPow]

Originally Posted by woodstock74

Well I bit the bullet...





"Tested" it, went up and down the interstate to make sure there was no buffeting or anything untoward. At very least it isn't hurting. Unfortunately I don't have any better data acquisition at the moment other than the MkI eyeball and tach vs. MPH reading. So initial look showed we're inching closer to 2600 RPM @ 68 mph. Before I started all this 68 was just below 2800 rpm. Now we're just above 2600 rpm. The tale will be the fill up. Though need to look into a ELM adapter for the OBD. Has anyone tried the Torque app for Android? Sounds like a Scanguage for $20 (about the cost of the ELM adapter, the app is free).

What's the clearance from the bottom edge of the added air dam and the ground?

What's the clearance from the bottom of the body to the ground? Front to back?

[woodstock74]

Originally Posted by BamZipPow

What's the clearance from the bottom edge of the added air dam and the ground?

What's the clearance from the bottom of the body to the ground? Front to back?

I don't have those numbers (can get them though), but the airdam itself is 3" deep. I went very conservative as a first hit. So what's the thinking, deeper? This weekend's task will be to lower the dam another inch I reckon...

[Sporty Modder]

Before you lower the airdam find some dips to drive through. I would hate to see that beautiful piece crunched under the car.

[woodstock74]

Originally Posted by Sporty Modder

Before you lower the airdam find some dips to drive through. I would hate to see that beautiful piece crunched under the car.

Good point, though I have one of those neighborhoods where there are speed bumps throughout and was good across those, plus my driveway is a bit on the steep side so the lead-in up it is critical. I should have a look at that to see how much more I can go.