Airdam or 'splitter'?

[kingsway]

I've heared quite a bit about use of airdams as a 'quick fix' to compensate for poor underbody aerodynamics. But I don't recall hearing anything about the use of an air splitter to force air to flow over the car rather than underneath.

Is their a reason for that? I ask because I think I would find it easier to make a splitter than an effective and good-looking airdam...

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by kingsway

I've heared quite a bit about use of airdams as a 'quick fix' to compensate for poor underbody aerodynamics. But I don't recall hearing anything about the use of an air splitter to force air to flow over the car rather than underneath.

Is their a reason for that? I ask because I think I would find it easier to make a splitter than an effective and good-looking airdam...

I'm pretty sure we've got into splitters in other threads.
Presently,most identify a 'splitter' as what NASCAR is doing with them.Attached to the very bottom of the front airdam,they force where the air can bleed off to,tailoring the flow at the nose.
For a daily driver,they would have to be 'active',as they would be knocked off the car with the first driveway ramp.

[Ladogaboy]

The splitters designed for my car are meant to create a high pressure zone, which also results in downforce. I'm not sure whether anyone has assessed them for their improvement to aerodynamics.

[kingsway]

I'm sorry - I should have done a search before posting!

It sounds like a splitter is normally only used at the foot of an airdam, and also within a couple of inches of the ground. So probably not practical for me...

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by kingsway

I'm sorry - I should have done a search before posting!

It sounds like a splitter is normally only used at the foot of an airdam, and also within a couple of inches of the ground. So probably not practical for me...

I am actually quite fond of them.I've been spending time with a self-powered railroad car with Cd 0.08.It has a splitter/cow-catcher blended into the nose.Of course it's a 'train' and doesn't have to be concerned about ground clearance issues like an automobile.
At Bonneville and El Mirage they can get away with these.
For us,we'd have to employ 'active' technology to protect them around town.
Dead cows frozen onto Interstate-80 in Wyoming,at 80 mph would also be an issue.