Retro aeromods: Datsun 240Z factory bolt-on "G-nose" good for +5.5% mpg and +5 mph

[Otto]

Originally Posted by Cd

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ting-8922.html

If you look at the data from the testing, you will see that using headlight covers actually matched the Cd of the car with the longer G-Nose. ( .467 ... eek ! ) Front end lift was minimized, but less air made its way under the hood of the car.

I'm not sure if this is too accurate, since they used several cars, and some had flares and such.

While looking at the cars involved in the test, it appears as if the car that had the G-nose, as well as the car tested right afterwards with the headlight covers both lacked flares - so the test should be relatively similar ..... except that looking at on test # 19, a stock 240Z has a better Cd that either ( .454) and of all things, when test with wheel flares the Cd went down ???

Hmmm. I wish they had stuck with just one car.

BTW
I had one of these cars. It was like driving a parachute. Let off the gas and it was like having an air-brake activated.

I had a '73. Took the smog pump off, Hooker Headers instead, less restrictive exhaust system, and cruising all day at 80, got about 25 mpg. Added cowcatcher/bulldozer blade fiberglass air dam in front, which helped nose lift a speed a LOT, and fuel economy somewhat. Later added headlight covers as were reportedly standard in places like Japan, but don't know how much that helped, as I sold the car about then.

Best bang for the buck would probably have been headlight covers, vertical, curved air dam instead of cowcatcher/bulldozer blade one to shed the bow wave instead of riding up on top of it, and at least partial belly pan. 5 speed retrofit would have been nice, too.

[Craig]

My uncle had a '73 240Z years ago...what a wonderful piece of machinery that car was! I used to know a guy who worked for Bob Sharp back in the late-sixties/early-seventies; they got their hands on a Z several months before they were officially imported. He said they immediately did a lot of experimental engine and suspension mods for racing, but used to drive it on the street. It was a lot of fun because nobody knew what it was!

[winkosmosis]

I thought pointy noses didn't help aerodynamics and the front end doesn't matter...

[MetroMPG]

Seriously, don't start this pissing match again. It's been beat to death.

[mcrews]

Originally Posted by davidgrey50

There was a rather more elegant version of extra-nosy Pintos - the Pinto Pangra. "Inspired by" the De Tomaso Pantera. No, really.

If I 'knew' it wasn't a pinto....I could like it....from the uotside.



Can't imagine that this nose ever got tested on a track.....

[UFO]

I still own a '78 280Z. They may not be aerodynamic, but mine, with a turbo engine does 0-60 in less than 4 seconds and gets to 110mph in a 1/4 mile. And I got 29 mpg cruising through the Rockies at 70mph.

I stripped the bumpers, but still have gaping open headlights. I put on a big air dam and now the steering doesn't get light at 120mph, and I've pushed up to 130mph. I just love the way it looks. I may modify it further to run on E85...