Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > Aerodynamics
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 01-05-2008, 10:00 PM   #1 (permalink)
ADHD Savant
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: sacramento, ca
Posts: 27

Great White - '01 Honda Civic EX
90 day: 36.89 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
How to reduce drag of surfboard roof racks?

Quote:
Note from MetroMPG: this thread split off from Roof rack test: quantifying the aero penalty
Is it possible to decrease the drag on a roof rack? I'm a surfer and I own a 2001 Civic coupe so the roof rack isn't easy to take on/off. It uses some arms that I'm considering on streamlining.. Basically, this is my first post as a new member/former lurker.

I have a fairing but I want to get rid of it due to all the noise it makes, I thought of applying some of those tornado generators that you see on the Lancer Evo on the back of the roof. I also saw some aero bar fairings that I could trim to go on either side of my pads (I need the pads for my surfboard). I drive conservatively and average about 32-34mpg right now with the roof rack (epa is 29mpg) and I'm continuing on improving my hypermiler driving.

  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 01-05-2008, 10:15 PM   #2 (permalink)
Batman Junior
 
MetroMPG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,513

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 52.71 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 60.16 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,058
Thanked 6,957 Times in 3,602 Posts
Hey Palionu, welcome.

I'm going to guess that carrying the board(s) inside the car isn't workable, or you'd be doing it already.

Next, since you've decided to spend time on the problem, what I'd suggest is working out some kind of quick-release system for the crossbars, rather than leaving everything on the car & spending time trying to clean it all up.

If you could come up with a way to remove the crossbars, for example, it would be easier to fabricate some aero "caps" to streamline the remaining pylons.

Any chance of posting some pics of the situation?

Nice work on getting above the EPA numbers, btw.
__________________
Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2008, 10:20 PM   #3 (permalink)
Batman Junior
 
MetroMPG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,513

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 52.71 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 60.16 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,058
Thanked 6,957 Times in 3,602 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Palionu View Post
I thought of applying some of those tornado generators that you see on the Lancer Evo on the back of the roof.
Unfortunately, those won't work if the air ahead of them is already turbulent because of the roof racks.

Also - I suspect your car (without racks) has attached flow down the rear window - the Evo's rear glass is pretty steep compared to yours, which is why they put the VG "band-aids" on. (What year is the Civic?)
__________________
Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2008, 11:13 PM   #4 (permalink)
ADHD Savant
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: sacramento, ca
Posts: 27

Great White - '01 Honda Civic EX
90 day: 36.89 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroMPG View Post
Hey Palionu, welcome.

I'm going to guess that carrying the board(s) inside the car isn't workable, or you'd be doing it already.

Next, since you've decided to spend time on the problem, what I'd suggest is working out some kind of quick-release system for the crossbars, rather than leaving everything on the car & spending time trying to clean it all up.

If you could come up with a way to remove the crossbars, for example, it would be easier to fabricate some aero "caps" to streamline the remaining pylons.

Any chance of posting some pics of the situation?

Nice work on getting above the EPA numbers, btw.
I thought of cutting off the excess bar on each side and use some rounded plugs.

I've tried getting my board in my car but it's 10'6". I'm not at my home right now but I'll make sure to take some pictures. For now I can show you what I have installed.

While trying to find the link for the above picture I found a new mounting system but it will require me to drill 8 holes into my car roof. Eh, I'm probably going to drive it until it dies so this looks like a viable option and would certainly reduce drag over the above. Plus, it would allow my rack to be remove much more easily.
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2008, 09:57 AM   #5 (permalink)
Batman Junior
 
MetroMPG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,513

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 52.71 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 60.16 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,058
Thanked 6,957 Times in 3,602 Posts
Those mounts: I think we've found a winner! Anything you can do to get the rack off the roof more easily is a good idea.
__________________
Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
  Reply With Quote
Old 04-26-2012, 07:09 PM   #6 (permalink)
radioranger
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Canton CT
Posts: 442
Thanks: 140
Thanked 44 Times in 33 Posts
How about making a bar you can mount on the surfboards say two strapped on crosspieces, then tie down the bar to the car when you need it . I'm picturing a prototype with a two by four strapped across the surfboard and then the ends of the two by four fit under the front to back bars on your rack and a bolt on the outside overhanging slightly piece would prevent them going sideways, you could put the board on the roof, slide one side under, then center the board so both cross pieces are secure and drop the pins on the outside to center and secure, or make a belly pan surfboard , LOL
  Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2012, 01:25 PM   #7 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Sven7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Warren, MI
Posts: 2,456

Boo Radley - '65 Ford F100
90 day: 13.28 mpg (US)
Thanks: 782
Thanked 667 Times in 409 Posts
This thread is four years old.
__________________
He gave me a dollar. A blood-soaked dollar.
I cannot get the spot out but it's okay; It still works in the store
  Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2012, 01:29 PM   #8 (permalink)
(:
 
Frank Lee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: up north
Posts: 12,762

Blue - '93 Ford Tempo
Last 3: 27.29 mpg (US)

F150 - '94 Ford F150 XLT 4x4
90 day: 18.5 mpg (US)

Sport Coupe - '92 Ford Tempo GL
Last 3: 69.62 mpg (US)

ShWing! - '82 honda gold wing Interstate
90 day: 33.65 mpg (US)

Moon Unit - '98 Mercury Sable LX Wagon
90 day: 21.24 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,585
Thanked 3,555 Times in 2,218 Posts
If he tries to surf now he might break a hip!
__________________


  Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2012, 02:57 PM   #9 (permalink)
Batman Junior
 
MetroMPG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,513

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 52.71 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 60.16 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,058
Thanked 6,957 Times in 3,602 Posts
I have no problem with resurrecting old threads, if there's good info to add to it.

I realize replying to old threads can be somehow taboo on other forums. Never really understood that.
__________________
Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
  Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2012, 06:50 PM   #10 (permalink)
Drive less save more
 
ecomodded's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Vancouver Island, Canada
Posts: 1,189

Dusty - '98 VOLKSWAGEN Beetle TDI
TEAM VW AUDI Group
90 day: 60.42 mpg (US)
Thanks: 134
Thanked 162 Times in 135 Posts
4-sure on the resurrecton of a old thread, just don't be expecting a reply from the original poster..
Might as well compile the surfboard roof rack info and questions from one thread,until it becomes too HUGE , then start a fresh thread, or your post gets lost in the 159 previous pages..I like threads that ask a specific question for a specific problem rather then for instance, a 45 page thread on antenna placement.

__________________
Save gas
Ride a Mtn bike for errands exercise entertainment and outright fun
__________________



  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Roof rack test: quantifying the aero penalty MetroMPG Aerodynamics 30 02-10-2023 08:18 PM
Side mirror drag & effect on fuel economy - quantified MetroMPG Aerodynamics 179 11-10-2022 03:25 PM
Sources of Aerodynamic Drag in Automobiles and Possible Solutions SVOboy Aerodynamics 12 02-17-2010 02:09 PM
Finding out stock drag coefficient? Daox Aerodynamics 4 01-04-2008 02:28 PM



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com