The Beetle got a Tapeee`

[skyking]

I had to make a run across the mountains to help out with computer issues.
I have been kicking around a spoiler idea for the beetle, and I decided to tape on some quick cardboard before I left. The first effort was just a little kicker that you can't see in the pic. When I got over there I sliced up some more cardboard and extended it.
It is not even an approximation of my design, but it was what I could cobble up in 10 minutes or less. It is appropriately rough to insure turbulent flow


While I was adding the extra fiber, I overheard a couple of kids walking by.
"slugbug black" this little girl shouts. It warmed my heart. Then she asks her older sister, "why is he doing that..." and then silence. Either the older sister was telling her it was not polite, or she was given the look that the old guy was cray-cray and you don't want to get his attention :P

Results: I filled this morning after a 20 mile commute on city streets. 289 miles is a short fill but I had to know. It was a solid 3% better than the best trip I had on that route, and more like 7% better than the average.
On those previous trips I had even done some long slow coasting and P&G. This time it was cruise control at 60 for most of the way.
The poor thing was pretty beat when I got home. I replaced a panel and will keep it on as long as I can.

[MetroMPG]

Interesting.

Curious enough to try an ABA? Coastdown test? Terminal velocity downhill coast?

[cowmeat]

To this day I still (lightly) punch my wife in the leg and yell "punch buggy" when we pass one of the old style Beetles

Pretty big aero boost you had going on there, you ought to make a fiberglass form and sell them aftermarket!

[skyking]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Interesting.

Curious enough to try an ABA? Coastdown test? Terminal velocity downhill coast?

Coast down or terminal possibly. Whatever letter this is it is Not coming back.

[Hersbird]

My 9 year old keeps a notebook in the car and keeps score of calling slugbugs. She actually has multiple lines and points for old, new, convertible, and "hippie van" for the busses. Last time I asked I had 10 points to her 500.

[freebeard]

I don't drive my Superbeetle as an incitement to violence.

[skyking]

The science is straightforward. The beetle has a CD of .38, not so good. The jettas and golfs are closer to .32
Clearly the point things go bad on the beetle is way forward so anything I can do to move it aft and give a clean break will help. This is truly low hanging fruit IMO.

[BamZipPow]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

My 9 year old keeps a notebook in the car and keeps score of calling slugbugs. She actually has multiple lines and points for old, new, convertible, and "hippie van" for the busses. Last time I asked I had 10 points to her 500.

You outta cheat and go to a Bugfest. She'd wonder how you got yer numbers up so high!

[freebeard]

Originally Posted by skyking

The beetle has a CD of .38, not so good. The jettas and golfs are closer to .32

When the New Beetle came out everyone asked me if I was going to get one. I alternated between what you pointed out and "When they're down to $1000."

[skyking]

I think tonight I will go out with paper towels and mineral spirits, and go do a couple of coast downs from 60 to 40 each way on a somewhat flat run, and then a couple of terminal coast tests on a hill i know of. Then I will remove the thing and clean it up and repeat the tests within the hour.
Is that enough data to work with?