side view mirror aero mod

[talldudenumber5]

first i have a maxima with a Cd of .31 maybe .30 now that i have a grill block, but anyway i have been noticing the mid to late 90's camaro's side mirrors are like an extension of the body panel. i.e very aerodynamic. the body molds up into the mirror. i am trying to not spend any money on aero mods and deletion is out for the drivers side so i thought use that tear drop aero shape attached to the body and covering the mirror or just go from the mirror to the body with cardboard. pictures are included of the camaro and some drawings of my car.

[lunarhighway]

i don't want to temper you enthousiasm, but i'm not sure if such a mod will have much benefit, i'm not saying it can't, but without propper testing it's as likely to have and adverse effect than to cut drag.

wikipedia lists the camaro you're refering to as having a Cd of 0.338, if the figure is correct that's not all that good for such a sleak looking car.

on the other hand i do know one car wich has similar mirrors and an 0.28 Cd the opel vectra B http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...D_sedan_04.jpg
so the setup isn't bad per definition, however the curent trend seems to be to move the mirrors away from the body.

if you want to try this go ahead and perhaps fuft test the results.

[Arragonis]

I think others have tried modding mirrors but for the ultimate and cheapest mod you may be able to go with interior ones and delete the external mirror except for when you are going in for safety tests, if they are required where you are.

Or if you like 'customising' maybe you could try some 'Emm-Freees' - aka BMW M3 styleee mirrors ?

[NeilBlanchard]

It is the trailing shape that matters more to reducing drag. I would try doing some tuft testing to see what is happening around the 'A' pillars and the mirrors -- it is more complicated than you might expect.

I wonder if a triangular plate trailing from the underside of the mirror would help? By removing the air flow on one side, it might calm things down, and reduce the turbulence?

[cfg83]

talldudenumber5 -

Yeah, I remember those. The first Ford Probe (in the Ford aero-design-era) had something similar :



Neil is right. Some racing mirrors have clear attachments that surround the mirror. The goal is to "boattail" the mirror while keeping functionality.

CarloSW2

[NeilBlanchard]

Chang Ho Kim did this to his winning Honda CR-X HF:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tml#post169206

[Weather Spotter]

I would try taking it off and putting tape over the holes. Then go do some ABA testing or coast down tests. If you see a gain great, if not then put the 3 bolts back on and put that mod in the does not help this car bin.

[Rokeby]

I know what follows isn't DIY. Nonetheless it may be interesting,
maybe merely entertaining, maybe downright ridiculous:

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

It is the trailing shape that matters more to reducing drag.

These folks say that at 150 MPH, it takes 0.93 less HP, 1.43 HP at 200 MPH ,
to move their patented Professional mirror with their AERO extension through
the air. (Click to enlarge.)



From www.racemirrors.com Cost: ~$165 USD

Carbon fiber mounting stalks: "Care should be taken not to use these mirrors
as 'helmet hangers' or push locations."

The sickest 'racing mirrors' on the net my be this for the Honda S2000 with an
alleged an aerodynamic advantage:



From Spoon Cost: ~$900 USD

Estimated payback in 200,000 CE.

[cfg83]

Rokeby -

Looks great, but I think you have to be born with a silver spoon in your mouth to afford that one!

(beat you to it, Old Tele man!)

CarloSW2

[Rokeby]

I suppose there may be some merit to the AERO extension idea.
I can even see that at least an operating prototype would be easy to make
from some clear plastic with a slight inward taper.

But, come on!

0.93 HP at 150 MPH, power being a cube-function of speed and all.
I suspect that there isn't much to be gained at and below the posted speed
limit... p&g speeds.