Lowest drag side mirrors

[cfg83]

AeroModder -

Originally Posted by AeroModder

I'm pretty sure they would be if they take the trouble of listing for specific makes and models. I'm actually leaning toward the universal base that'll drill into the side of the door. I've had to replace a window before, so I'm familiar with how to install them. That'll also give me more freedom in positioning for better visibility and/or aero.

Though this talk of smoothing out the sides has given me an idea for a new project to smooth out the sides- Get some Lexan over the windows to make them flush with the door frames. One of my rear windows won't roll down anyway! I'll take some pictures and start a new thread later on.


Also, I sent a message to the seller yesterday asking about other models, but no answer yet.

The universal base is a good idea. For people like us with Tempos and S-Series, it's doubful that we will find any aftermarket mirrors that are designed for our cars. My assumption going in is that I will have to retrofit a mount when I do this stuff.

CarloSW2

[aerohead]

I believe there is some mirror info in the sticky on mod data.Off hand,the Ford Probe-IV and Subaru XT are two cars of which mirror research was conducted.I believe that the Probe's were 'neutral'.
Air is very fast near the A-pillars.If the mirror must be near there,you want it further out where the air is slower like the original Impact in 1989.

[COcyclist]

Originally Posted by cfg83

Otto -

I think these are good candidates :



They can be $70 a pair for a good set, or less than $30 for a pair on flea-bay if you look around.

CarloSW2

I believe I have a pair of these in my garage, still in the box. Mine are the printed-on carbon fiber look. They looked too cheezy to put on the Golf and the glass quality is not great. I guess it depends on what you are looking for. I may use the right side mounting base for a future mirror delete with a quick temporary install option if I find I must.

[cfg83]

COcyclist -

Originally Posted by COcyclist

I believe I have a pair of these in my garage, still in the box. Mine are the printed-on carbon fiber look. They looked too cheezy to put on the Golf and the glass quality is not great. I guess it depends on what you are looking for. I may use the right side mounting base for a future mirror delete with a quick temporary install option if I find I must.

Oooooh, that's cool. My assumption is that they are el-cheapos, but I have no proof beyond the price. Sounds like you are confirming it. Can you take a picture of the mounting to see how "adaptable" they are to other cars?

CarloSW2

[COcyclist]

I bought mine here:

Autodynamic.com

and the bases (bigger plastic triangle) were specific to my car and actually appear to fit the door pretty well. The smaller triangle is attached to the mirror and secures to the adapter base with 3 screws. They are much smaller and the stalk moves them away from the A pillar as Aerohead suggests. The VW mirrors fold so I came up with another solution. I'll try to post pictures tonight.

[gone-ot]

...I think obtaining a "lowest drag" mirror is like "saving money"...where the best way to save money is to "...not spend it!"

...thus the lowest drag mirror is NO external mirror (use a camera!)

[cfg83]

Old Tele man -

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

...I think obtaining a "lowest drag" mirror is like "saving money"...where the best way to save money is to "...not spend it!"

...thus the lowest drag mirror is NO external mirror (use a camera!)

Even if a camera is a legal replacement for a mirror in your state, you may still get a ticket from a disbelieving officer of the law. You could still win in court, but then the hassle-factor has to be weighed in as part of your cost.

CarloSW2

[AeroModder]

I heard back from the Ebay seller of the el-cheapo F1 mirrors. Not helpful at all.

HI,

We are sorry but we do not have aerodynamic mirrors if you have any further questions please feel free to email us back.

Thank you,

Sincerely,

Street_made

Yeah...

[cfg83]

AeroModder -

Yeah, thanks for making the effort. They are pretty cheesy.

COcyclist posted what I was suspecting. The triangular base you see in all the pictures is generic and attaches to a *custom* base designed for your car. This gives the base a 3-sided "stepped pyramid" look :



Therefore, if you make your own smooth looking base, you can attach the mirror to that. If the Tempo had OEM side mirror covers in a super-no-frills model, that could be your base.

Again, notice in the above picture that the triangular base is not "flush" to the one that attaches to your car. Ideally I think that you would want to inset the base.

CarloSW2

[RandomFact314]

These look pretty aero