Minimum ride height?

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by mcrews

so after smoothing the under belly all the way back, would a 3'' dam negate that work?

Can't answer that definitively. But look at super-efficient vehicle designs. They all have smooth undertrays. How many also have air dams?

What angle are you measuring?

The angle between the red lines is your approach angle.

[wdb]

Air dam + undertray should be more efficient than either alone. Air dam + splitter + undertray should be more efficient still. Susceptibility to damage is probably the biggest reason you don't see more front splitters on road cars.

[MetroMPG]

Air dam + undertray should be more efficient than either alone. Air dam + splitter + undertray should be more efficient still.

wdb: could you elaborate or post links to supporting info?

[Tygen1]

Originally Posted by mcrews

so after smoothing the under belly all the way back, would a 3'' dam negate that work?
the bottom of my front lip is 7 3/4 inches to the ground. I could ratchet my springs down maybe one inch. But I had lowering springs for about 1 yr and I was ALWAYS scrapping my front lip.
What angle are you measuring?

As Metro said, no one can tell you exactly how your car will respond. The cheapest method of finding out is to just tape some cardboard on there and do some coast down tests. Underbelly pans take quite a bit of time and labor to get on, Air Dams are quick and easy. Quick and easy is the route I chose and it worked. May not be optimal, but it has been saving me money since the day I bolted it on. It was the best $13 I've spent so far...

[RobertSmalls]

Originally Posted by wdb

Air dam + undertray should be more efficient than either alone. Air dam + splitter + undertray should be more efficient still.

Well, not necessarily. An air dam increases the frontal area of the car, and it has to make up for the increased A with reduced Cd. If the underside of the car is ugly, it's easy to imagine that happening. If it's smooth... well, I'm not sure, but I'm inclined to believe it's best to let air under the car.

I believe this must be settled in a wind tunnel, wind tunnel simulation, or real-world coastdown testing.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

...that's what I recall too. Sorta like Goldy-locks and a "...not too much; and not too little" situation..." where either side of "...just right..." isn't gonna help you.

...just wanted to make the point that "sometimes" the "good spot" (vehicle rake angle) isn't something you want to arbitrarily be playing with, unless you know what you're getting yourself in for.

EcoModder really needs a big wind tunnel so we can make these kinds of refinements.
I asked Santa,and I really tried to be a good boy,but to my knowledge,nothing came of it.
Unless Darin is holding out on us................................................ ............

[mcrews]

Originally Posted by aerohead

EcoModder really needs a big wind tunnel so we can make these kinds of refinements.
I asked Santa,and I really tried to be a good boy,but to my knowledge,nothing came of it.
Unless Darin is holding out on us................................................ ............

A little off topic, but maybe not so much........

Specificly.....what does "REALLY TRIED" look like?????

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by mcrews

A little off topic, but maybe not so much........

Specificly.....what does "REALLY TRIED" look like?????

I don't know if we have an avatar for that.

[gone-ot]

Originally Posted by aerohead

I don't know if we have an avatar for that.

...a picture of your congressman? sounds like something they'd say.