Best Practices For The Geo Metro

[freebeard]

In the last Century I was firmly in the orbit of the VW Beetle. Folk wisdom identified some helpful modifications, mostly smaller front tires and a nose down stance.

Lately I've gotten the feeling that the 21st Century belongs to the Geo Metro/Firefly. I went to the recyclers yesterday and there were two others in the parking lot. A beater just showed up in the neighborhood. A month ago I talked to someone in a parking lot that had one same year, model and color.

I've found a piece of louvered metal big enough for a grille block. I'm not above jamming a spike in each louver opening to widen them out. What percentage of air to block? 80/20? I will remove the remaining mudflaps and would like to fabricate spats for all four wheels. Any thoughts on size and placing? Bigger is better? The size of a business envelope?


ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/402-original-miles-2000-chevy-metro-1-0-a-39801.html#post658140


ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/massive-air-dam-98-geo-metro-firefly-b-9732-3.html#post555059

It looks like a flat plate, time attack style, would increase air pressure at the radiator face. Does adding a bluff faced air dam do anything more?
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My next goal is likely a four-wheel alignment. Not an aero question but are there preferred settings?
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Further along is a Kammback. I'm curious whether a minimal Fachsenfeld-edged boxed cavity would be of any help.

[aerohead]

The louvers themselves will be high-drag, suffering the vena-contracta entry losses.
I'd stay with Walter Korff's frontal stagnation point, single, bell-mouthed opening.
https://ecomodder.com/forum/member-a...speed-aero.jpg

[freebeard]

I see your point, but the purpose of the grille block is it entry losses. The openings would be pointed downward.

A secondary purpose it to be painted black with two rows of teeth for a shark moutn. I've always wanted one.

What do you think about sizing wheel spats?

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by freebeard

I see your point, but the purpose of the grille block is it entry losses. The openings would be pointed downward.

A secondary purpose it to be painted black with two rows of teeth for a shark moutn. I've always wanted one.

What do you think about sizing wheel spats?

* You can have a more 'efficient' air volume restriction without the added drag of the vena-contracta, is all I'm saying.
*As to 'spats', we need to first clarify terms.
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* Historically, a 'spat' is a structure which nearly, completely encloses a front steering wheel/tire, and moves along with the 'wheel-flop.'( 1983 Ford PROBE-IV )
* What are currently referred to as 'spats', are a *******ized form of what Goro Tamai, of MIT referred to as 'taco fairings', used by solar race teams to detach-jump-and re-attach flow underneath the hour-glass openings at the front wheels.