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-   -   Retro aeromods: Datsun 240Z factory bolt-on "G-nose" good for +5.5% mpg and +5 mph (https://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/retro-aeromods-datsun-240z-factory-bolt-g-nose-7131.html)

MetroMPG 02-15-2009 07:38 PM

Retro aeromods: Datsun 240Z factory bolt-on "G-nose" good for +5.5% mpg and +5 mph
 
Base / stock Z-car nose vs. "G-nose" version:

http://ecomodder.com/imgs/Z-Car-reg-nose.jpg

http://ecomodder.com/imgs/Z-Car-g-nose.jpg

Car & Driver, May 1974:

Quote:

Datsun, at least in Japan, has some equally impressive parts that it doesn’t widely advertise. Fortunately, car enthusiasts in the homeland can buy a version of the Z-car known as the 240ZG (260ZG for 1974).

...

From an aerodynamic point of view, the G-nose is a gold mine. It includes all the parts necessary to reshape the Z-car’s front end from the lower edge of the hood forward. The new panels bolt on in about two hours adding 4.8 inches to the overall length of a ‘73 car and 7.3 inches to pre-bumper era ’72 or earlier cars.

The G-nose reduces drag because of the extra length - it’s that much closer to a bullet shape - and also due to the fact that the grille opening is much tighter and the headlamp openings are sealed.

At 70 mph the gain in fuel economy (is) 1.2 mpg.

And there are other side benefits. The top speed on Ontario’s straight is up from 115 mph with the stock 240Z to 120 with the G-nose. And front end lift is less than stock by 95 pounds at 70 mph.

Unfortunately, the G-nose doesn’t come cheap. The complete package is available... for $635 with headlamp covers, or $475 without.
Note: the 5.5% fuel economy improvement cited in the thread title is my calc, based on C&D's measurement of the stock/base 240Z of 22 mpg (US) at 70 mph.

Frank Lee 02-15-2009 07:58 PM

Quote:

The G-nose reduces drag because of the extra length
I don't think so. :p

You'd think those bulky fender flares would slow it back down again.

MetroMPG 02-15-2009 08:02 PM

And the wider tires they stuck under them.

Actually, that isn't the actual car C&D used - I doubt they added the flares on theirs for the test.

I thought this might stir things up a bit. :)

I agree: it's not the extra length itself, but what they did with the extra length. They could have produced the same shape in the same overall length if they really wanted to (ie. designed in from the start, not as a bolt-on addition).

cfg83 02-15-2009 08:02 PM

MetroMPG -

That's very cool. I keep thinking that the nose is less important than the rear of the car, but a 5+% improvement is nothing to laugh at.

The "look" reminds me of the original Miami Vice car, the Ferrari Daytona.

CarloSW2

MetroMPG 02-15-2009 08:07 PM

Keep in mind, it's not just the nose. They reduced the grille opening, covered the headlight buckets and cleaned up the brutal leading edge of the hood. Also probably lowered the stagnation point.

It's easy to get a 5.5% improvement when your starting point is a face like that!

And, yeah, I thought it looked like that Ferarri too. Ferris Bueller's. :)

Frank Lee 02-15-2009 08:54 PM

OHHHHH YEAAAHHHH!!!
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r...r/ferrari3.jpg

I'd wager that even as a bolt-on piece, the drag reduction could have been accomplished with much less added length.

gascort 02-15-2009 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank Lee (Post 87986)
OHHHHH YEAAAHHHH!!!

Chic..ChickaChicka

Frank Lee 02-15-2009 09:33 PM

Ha ha, play that 33 rpm song at 45 (if you have it on vinyl)!

http://www.last.fm/listen/artist/Yello/similarartists

Jetta90GL 02-15-2009 11:19 PM

This reminds me of the Stiletto kit for the Ford Pinto. I can't seem to get the pics of it to load on google images.

Tango Charlie 02-15-2009 11:57 PM

That '74 with the extended nose would make a sweet EV.

Frank Lee 02-16-2009 01:37 AM

:eek: Stiletto kits!!! :eek:

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r...r/stiletto.jpg

I know the guy that came up with them. There never were that many- I think 14? I saw one with a big ol' nasty fastback on it too, kinda like the pointy crx project, in lime green!

Now do you see why long noses have scarred me for life? :eek:

Daveedo 02-16-2009 02:10 AM

Is that Joe Dirt's car?:D

hypermiler01 02-16-2009 03:39 AM

That G nose really is awesome. Wonder if you can still get one?

http://blog.autoworld.com.my/wp-cont...a_wp0_1024.jpg

Jetta90GL 02-16-2009 07:03 AM

I've never seen the wing part of the kit before, I always knew there was something missing.:turtle::p

MetroMPG 02-16-2009 07:57 AM

Stiletto... wow! I mean, wow.

I wonder why Car and Driver didn't test that instead of taking the DIY route on the Crisis Fighter Pinto!

davidgrey50 02-16-2009 12:19 PM

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

Otto 06-28-2009 02:16 PM

One main reason the Z car aerodynamics were not better is the overhang of the nose, which trapped the bow wave rather than shed it. The car would ride nose-high at speed. Spoilers helped, but the nose really needed a facelift.

NeilBlanchard 06-28-2009 10:29 PM

Hi,

My theory about the nose is if it is pointed, the point must be in the right place (i.e. right on the stagnant point) otherwise you end up with issues. A blunt nose, on the other hand lets the air flow where and how it "wants" to and doesn't cause as many problems if it is not located right...

evolutionmovement 06-29-2009 07:28 AM

When I last owned a Z-car in the mid nineties, replica G-nose kits were still available. Never liked the look of them, personally—the nose is too long. I just like the light covers on the standard nose (it's not like the headlights did much more than a midget running in front of the car with a candle and a reflector could do anyway). According to the other thread with the wind tunnel testing, the flared fenders on the ZG kit (ZG being a Japanese market car with the G-nose, the fenders, and a spoiler) actually reduce drag.

Cd 11-05-2010 08:51 PM

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.

Otto 11-06-2010 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cd (Post 202738)
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 11-06-2010 06:27 PM

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 12-13-2010 07:54 PM

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

MetroMPG 12-13-2010 08:11 PM

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

mcrews 12-13-2010 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidgrey50 (Post 88073)
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.

http://i678.photobucket.com/albums/v...ng_page001.jpg

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

UFO 12-14-2010 11:13 AM

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...


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