Best wheel skirt length for a 97 Civic Coupe?

[Baltothewolf]

Hi guys, I finally found materials to make rear wheel skirts, how far down should I go? I heard hest way is to match the lowest point on the sides, but I figured I would ask as Mud flaps are not easy to find. At least not the hard plastic lightweight ones.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by Baltothewolf

Hi guys, I finally found materials to make rear wheel skirts, how far down should I go? I heard hest way is to match the lowest point on the sides, but I figured I would ask as Mud flaps are not easy to find. At least not the hard plastic lightweight ones.

If you run a straight-edge across the wheel well,does the tire protrude at some point,or is it recessed all the way down?
If it's recessed,a full-depth skirt would be great.If not,you have options to modify the rocker panel area,pushing it out and down,such that when a skirt spans the new opening,it clears the tire.
Or just bring the skirt down as far as you can without interference.You won't be adding frontal area at least.
A photo would be helpful.

[Baltothewolf]

I'm out at the lake right now, when I get home I'll take some pictures.

[Baltothewolf]

Here you go aerohead, it's not the best picture but I didn't get home until after dark, if you would like more insightful pictures just let me know and I'll take some more in the daytime.

[whatmaycome14]

Honestly, unless you are planning on modifying the rear bumper or adding side skirts, I would go down only as far as the existing bodywork. Here is what I did, and it seems to be doing really well:





I did have to bend the lower edge so as to allow room for the tire/wheel, but it is supported with a metal piece that I hot glued to the corroplast.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by Baltothewolf

Here you go aerohead, it's not the best picture but I didn't get home until after dark, if you would like more insightful pictures just let me know and I'll take some more in the daytime.

I GOOGLED the car and it looks like you would not be able to do full-depth skirts unless the rockers were pushed out ahead of,and behind the wheels.
Bumping things out would add a smidgeon of frontal area,but the drag reduction should overshadow that.
Front and rear skirts on the 1936 Adler Jaray was good for a 13.3% drag reduction.
If she were mine,I'd be going in that direction.(AeroCivic)

[dirtydave]

Full depth is how low? To the bottom of the rocker panel?

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by dirtydave

Full depth is how low? To the bottom of the rocker panel?

Yep!

[dirtydave]

Ok thanks I should be able to do a full skirt on my KIA because the wheel sits inside. Thanks.