More downforce less drag

[Leonel1995]

Hi, im Leonel, i'm looking for different ideas to make a Volkswagen Saveiro (Like a caddy) (small pick-up) more aerodynamic, At same time make it have more grip.why? It's a 1/4mile car, that reaches +-170mph trap speed.
The reason of downforce need is wheel spin all track, i will leave a picture of an example of the pick up.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

I guess fuel savings are not on the top of your priorities, but anyway, do you already use a tonneau cover or eventually race it with the tailgate down?

[MobilOne]

The author poses a good question. How to get more down force and less drag? So I guess something like a bed cover that went from the roof top down past the tailgate at a 15 degree angle and tapered in from the sides toward the rear for aerodynamics, maybe ending in a Kamm type tail. Then add a wing on the back for the down force.

[redpoint5]

I've never understood the purpose of downforce for 1/4 mile runs. The moment when tires are most likely to spin is from a dead stop when there is zero downforce. By the time the vehicle has enough speed to produce downforce, isn't there enough traction?

That said, fuel economy and downforce are at odds. The ideal shape for fuel efficiency on a vehicle represents an airplane wing, which actually produces lift.

[Leonel1995]

It reaches 180miles per hour in the track, this car is really ppwerfull and it hace wheel spin from 0 to 180 mph, we did use once a cover and a free tailgate (open) but it closes by itself when reached 100mph a wind effect. No, haha no fuel saving here, we have more power but we cant use it

[RedDevil]

An air dam and side skirts would be the way to go. That would lower the pressure under the car, creating downforce. And it would be relatively simple.

If it is a pure track car you can get them really far down to the tarmac.
Get the dam as far forward as the regulations allow for.

[Leonel1995]

Red devil, yes, i think that too, but also i would Like to optimize the shape of the car to decrease drag in all the car, and at dame time increase downforce.

[RedDevil]

Then a raised tonneau cover of some sort?

You might have found this link already. If not, enjoy

From that link:


The effectiveness of the simple wing + cover is remarkable, considering how easy it would be to make one that would still be 200+ mph resistant.

[Gasoline Fumes]

This is front wheel drive, right? A splitter on the front, as low as possible, will give you downforce in the front. But I'd want to match the rear downforce to the front at 180 MPH! Wheelie bars will help keep the front tires gripping too.

[freebeard]

It's a 1/4mile car, that reaches +-170mph trap speed.

On street tires? Elapsed time? 60-foot time? Sanctioning body? Front wheel drive? Whatcha got under the hood?

I've liked the Saveiro since cRiPpLe_rOoStEr introduced it to us here. But here is a Caddy that IIRC did 140mph quarters. Would you face off against it on your street tires?




Here is how you get downforce without drag. How you apply it to your situation; I don't know. This has 10% less drag than a flat bottom and rear by CDF analysis, done by a member here. The downforce wasn't reported.



It is like having a rake, without the downside.