Side Mirrors...

[Phase]

Originally Posted by aerohead

You could certainly mock it up that way, just to see if you could live with the optics of it.
If you like the mockup, then translate that into a structural metal strut , for safety, and some means in which to 'gimble' the mirror for 'aiming.'
The strut could be streamlined after the fact. and some permanent fairing over the new optics.
Technically, the mirror needs to be tested in the exact location in which it will reside. It's the only place where the local flow will be whatever it's going to be.
As a first principle, the mirror fairings on the 1996, PORSCHE 911 GT1 race car, would be an example of a near-minimum drag form, according to Sighard Hoerner's drag tables. You must consider them in the context of their type of stalk, and mounting location on the Porsche.

i like that shape. just gotta figure out how to mold that to be super small

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by Phase

i like that shape. just gotta figure out how to mold that to be super small

There are some great videos on composite tooling on YouTube.
They create a 'plug' which is a life-size mockup of the housing.
From that, they create a female mold.
From which the actual part will be made.
Having a 'round' mirror allows both left and right housings to be made from the same tooling.
Anyone local, with a wood lathe could turn the plug.
Take it from there.
The skills you learn can be 'scaled' for larger composite projects.
Rick Dale, of 'Rick's Restorations' charges around $125 /hour to clients for the same kind of skills.

[Phase]

Originally Posted by aerohead

There are some great videos on composite tooling on YouTube.
They create a 'plug' which is a life-size mockup of the housing.
From that, they create a female mold.
From which the actual part will be made.
Having a 'round' mirror allows both left and right housings to be made from the same tooling.
Anyone local, with a wood lathe could turn the plug.
Take it from there.
The skills you learn can be 'scaled' for larger composite projects.
Rick Dale, of 'Rick's Restorations' charges around $125 /hour to clients for the same kind of skills.

these are about the same size as the mirrors. was just going to cut one in half, spray paint it black and put it on the other side of the mirror

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Phase

Also random question for the super aero math people, most of the tests that mention side mirrors being about 3 percent of drag, give or take, seem to be tests done at the classic 55mph. So I’d that a static or fluid/compounded percent? Does the 3 percent effect Increase the faster you go?

Sometimes, while other parts of the vehicle cause an even greater drag, the mirrors are not that bad of an issue even at a considerably higher speed. But anyway, I don't remember which speed and subsequent increases would increase substantially the performance required to achieve, and thus the fuel-efficiency would go down in the same proportion.

[aerohead]

Ask around about proper adhesion to plastics.
Epoxy primer is very popular now. It may adhere better than conventional lacquer-type.
It would suck to get a nice top-coat on, only to have it all slough off.

[Piotrsko]

Really nice oval ones at the dollar +.25 store that glue well with 3m Weatherstrip. I use them for DLG glider fuselages

Sideways thinking: for estimation/prediction modelling, the phone cad software packages would predict effects close enough for government work.

[Phase]

Set up my panoramic wide angle rear view mirror. Can easily see cars in the blinds spots without moving your head. Also the two mini tab mirrors that will be placed outside the windows came in. I also have two little flat square mirrors I will mount inside windows just Incase

Should be removing the side mirrors next week

At what speed would I even see an mpg improvement? Obviously I won’t see much at 30 mph around town. All the tests I see online are at that basic 55 mph range. Would I see an mpg gain even at 50 mph? How much should I see at 90 mph?

[freebeard]

A-B testing would have the answer.

I have a convex clip-on mirror a little narrower that yours in the Metro. The 2.5ft wide Wink mirror goes back in the Superbeetle (from the Dasher) as soon as I find the brackets.

[mpg_numbers_guy]

Small blind spot mirror - I've been using this for the past several years with no issues. Definitely less drag than the massive stock mirrors, and the convex shape of the mirror + panoramic interior rear view mirror basically eliminate all blind spots. Passenger side mirror is completely deleted.

Link to picture of my setup: https://ecomodder.com/forum/showthre...tml#post587745

Whether or not it has less drag than something like this remains to be seen. Some state inspections require the side mirror to be adjustable, in which case the motorcycle mirror would be necessary.

[Phase]

Originally Posted by mpg_numbers_guy

Small blind spot mirror - I've been using this for the past several years with no issues. Definitely less drag than the massive stock mirrors, and the convex shape of the mirror + panoramic interior rear view mirror basically eliminate all blind spots. Passenger side mirror is completely deleted.

Link to picture of my setup: https://ecomodder.com/forum/showthre...tml#post587745

Whether or not it has less drag than something like this remains to be seen. Some state inspections require the side mirror to be adjustable, in which case the motorcycle mirror would be necessary.

These let you rotate and angle and adjust them. I liked what you did with yours. Wish I had thought of it before I bought these. Clearly these are significantly smaller than the OEM mirrors. Heck they are smaller than just the mounting arm sticking out. I just need to install these on the side of the window with an OEM style look