Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > Aerodynamics
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 02-03-2012, 07:21 PM   #1 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Debonair's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 53

Camaro - '00 Chevrolet Camaro SS
90 day: 16.18 mpg (US)

S10 - '95 Chevrolet S10 LS
90 day: 15.84 mpg (US)

Formula - '99 Pontiac Firebird Formula
90 day: 21.14 mpg (US)
Thanks: 3
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Would I see positive numbers with a belly pan on a stock height truck?

From what I see people have lowered and created belly pans.
I don't plan on lowering my truck, but am interested in doing a belly pan for numerous reasons.

Granted it wouldn't be equal gains, but would i see some sort of gains in fuel economy?

__________________
[url=http://ecomodder.com/forum/em-fuel-log.php?vehicleid=5445]
  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 02-03-2012, 07:24 PM   #2 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Sven7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Warren, MI
Posts: 2,456

Boo Radley - '65 Ford F100
90 day: 13.28 mpg (US)
Thanks: 782
Thanked 667 Times in 409 Posts
Yes. Phil (aerohead) has posted aerodynamic studies where OEM's have increased aero efficiency anywhere from 5%-15%, usually resulting in just a couple MPG.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...-6-a-2670.html

You would have better luck with an aero topper (see the home page) that has been unofficially shown to improve gas mileage by 20%.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...d-cap-583.html

Also look into an air dam made of lawn edging, or maybe an S10 Xtreme bumper/lip. This will push air to the sides, away from the turbulent under body.

But of course you already know that the most useful way to approach this is many small measures adding up, instead of putting all your hopes into one mod.
__________________
He gave me a dollar. A blood-soaked dollar.
I cannot get the spot out but it's okay; It still works in the store

Last edited by Sven7; 02-03-2012 at 07:33 PM..
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Sven7 For This Useful Post:
Debonair (02-03-2012)
Old 02-03-2012, 09:09 PM   #3 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Debonair's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 53

Camaro - '00 Chevrolet Camaro SS
90 day: 16.18 mpg (US)

S10 - '95 Chevrolet S10 LS
90 day: 15.84 mpg (US)

Formula - '99 Pontiac Firebird Formula
90 day: 21.14 mpg (US)
Thanks: 3
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
That's good to know, other than fuel economy it would be A LOT easier to clean the underside (if i go aluminum) and wouldn't have to worry about rust as much.

I planned on getting a retractable tonneau cover, for me it seems more practical than the topper.

All in due time though first is my ac compressor, then exhaust, then electric fan/new intake.

This will leave me enough time to plan how i'm going to go about this
__________________
[url=http://ecomodder.com/forum/em-fuel-log.php?vehicleid=5445]
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-03-2012, 09:42 PM   #4 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Sven7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Warren, MI
Posts: 2,456

Boo Radley - '65 Ford F100
90 day: 13.28 mpg (US)
Thanks: 782
Thanked 667 Times in 409 Posts
Honestly, read BamZipPow's thread. I know Phil has a very nicely done Toyota as well, but don't know if he has a thread on it. After an election go to the campaign headquarters and ask if you can have some extra signs. The bigger, the better. They're made of coroplast and that will be extremely easy to make aero mods with. I installed a front belly pan on my Probe in an afternoon with nothing but coroplast, zip ties and a box cutter.
__________________
He gave me a dollar. A blood-soaked dollar.
I cannot get the spot out but it's okay; It still works in the store
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Sven7 For This Useful Post:
Debonair (03-03-2012)
Old 02-04-2012, 12:26 AM   #5 (permalink)
Corporate imperialist
 
oil pan 4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NewMexico (USA)
Posts: 11,175

Sub - '84 Chevy Diesel Suburban C10
SUV
90 day: 19.5 mpg (US)

camaro - '85 Chevy Camaro Z28

Riot - '03 Kia Rio POS
Team Hyundai
90 day: 30.21 mpg (US)

Bug - '01 VW Beetle GLSturbo
90 day: 26.43 mpg (US)

Sub2500 - '86 GMC Suburban C2500
90 day: 11.95 mpg (US)

Snow flake - '11 Nissan Leaf SL
SUV
90 day: 141.63 mpg (US)
Thanks: 269
Thanked 3,522 Times in 2,796 Posts
Aluminum wont rust but it will cause the steel its touching to rust like crazy, I have to break down my trailer and repair steel that is starting to rust heavily because its been in contact with aluminum plate for 3 years.

For a truck under body I plan to go with galvanized sheet steel or something nonmetalic like plastic or fiber glass.
__________________
1984 chevy suburban, custom made 6.5L diesel turbocharged with a Garrett T76 and Holset HE351VE, 22:1 compression 13psi of intercooled boost.
1989 firebird mostly stock. Aside from the 6-speed manual trans, corvette gen 5 front brakes, 1LE drive shaft, 4th Gen disc brake fbody rear end.
2011 leaf SL, white, portable 240v CHAdeMO, trailer hitch, new batt as of 2014.
  Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2012, 08:58 AM   #6 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Debonair's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 53

Camaro - '00 Chevrolet Camaro SS
90 day: 16.18 mpg (US)

S10 - '95 Chevrolet S10 LS
90 day: 15.84 mpg (US)

Formula - '99 Pontiac Firebird Formula
90 day: 21.14 mpg (US)
Thanks: 3
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sven7 View Post
Honestly, read BamZipPow's thread. I know Phil has a very nicely done Toyota as well, but don't know if he has a thread on it. After an election go to the campaign headquarters and ask if you can have some extra signs. The bigger, the better. They're made of coroplast and that will be extremely easy to make aero mods with. I installed a front belly pan on my Probe in an afternoon with nothing but coroplast, zip ties and a box cutter.
Good thing its election year I could make it with that, then either leave it, or use it as a template if it go for some sort of metal.

Quote:
Originally Posted by oil pan 4 View Post
Aluminum wont rust but it will cause the steel its touching to rust like crazy, I have to break down my trailer and repair steel that is starting to rust heavily because its been in contact with aluminum plate for 3 years.

For a truck under body I plan to go with galvanized sheet steel or something nonmetalic like plastic or fiber glass.
how durable would the fiberglass be? or is it gonna be (as strong as you make it sort of thing) plus how would it hold up with the exhaust pipes being over it?

and whether i go with galvanized steel or aluminum, should i just put some sort of bushing all around? kind of like weatherstripping or something
__________________
[url=http://ecomodder.com/forum/em-fuel-log.php?vehicleid=5445]
  Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2012, 10:42 AM   #7 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
skyking's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Tacoma WA
Posts: 1,399

Woody - '96 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT
Team Cummins
90 day: 23.82 mpg (US)

Avion and Woody - '96 Dodge/Avion Ram 2500/5th wheel combo
90 day: 15.1 mpg (US)

TD eye eye eye - '03 Volkswagen Beetle GLS
90 day: 49.05 mpg (US)

Mule - '07 Dodge Ram 3500 ST
Thanks: 743
Thanked 528 Times in 344 Posts
The coroplast is remarkably durable in this application. If you worried about rocks and road debris coming up, remember it will simply give and pop back with most hits.
My truck is a rust bucket underneath. I can't wait to get my bellypan on.
__________________




2007 Dodge Ram 3500 SRW 4x4 with 6MT
2003 TDI Beetle
2002 TDI Beetle

currently parked - 1996 Dodge 2500 Cummins Turbodiesel
Custom cab, auto, 3.55 gears
  Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2012, 11:03 AM   #8 (permalink)
EcoModding Apprentice
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 116
Thanks: 0
Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts
Fiberglass can also be rigidized if you care to take the time and work. Get aluminum household screen and place that in between the layers of fiberglass. This creates a heck of a lot of weight though I would personally recommend, as others already have, to use coroplast. I took a bird to the coroplast on my bumper at 55 mph and aside from bird stuff, can't hardly tell where it hit.
  Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2012, 11:49 AM   #9 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
mcrews's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 3,523

The Q Sold - '02 Infiniti Q45 Sport
90 day: 23.08 mpg (US)

blackie - '14 nissan altima sv
Thanks: 2,203
Thanked 663 Times in 478 Posts
galinized steel?????????

!. you need to look at underbelly pans that have been done on the site. use the search function.
2. there is absolutely no rational to using something as heave as steel.
3. this idea has neen beaten to death like a dead horse.
__________________
MetroMPG: "Get the MPG gauge - it turns driving into a fuel & money saving game."

ECO MODS PERFORMED:
First: ScangaugeII
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...eii-23306.html

Second: Grille Block
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...e-10912-2.html

Third: Full underbelly pan
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...q45-11402.html

Fourth: rear skirts and 30.4mpg on trip!
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tml#post247938
  Reply With Quote
Old 03-04-2012, 02:11 PM   #10 (permalink)
Corporate imperialist
 
oil pan 4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NewMexico (USA)
Posts: 11,175

Sub - '84 Chevy Diesel Suburban C10
SUV
90 day: 19.5 mpg (US)

camaro - '85 Chevy Camaro Z28

Riot - '03 Kia Rio POS
Team Hyundai
90 day: 30.21 mpg (US)

Bug - '01 VW Beetle GLSturbo
90 day: 26.43 mpg (US)

Sub2500 - '86 GMC Suburban C2500
90 day: 11.95 mpg (US)

Snow flake - '11 Nissan Leaf SL
SUV
90 day: 141.63 mpg (US)
Thanks: 269
Thanked 3,522 Times in 2,796 Posts
When your empty weight is 5,800lb not too worried about weight.
But I will likely use Coroplast - Manufacturer of Corrugated Plastic Sheets for most of it, I was thinking the 26ga sheet metal would be good for places close to the exhaust.

__________________
1984 chevy suburban, custom made 6.5L diesel turbocharged with a Garrett T76 and Holset HE351VE, 22:1 compression 13psi of intercooled boost.
1989 firebird mostly stock. Aside from the 6-speed manual trans, corvette gen 5 front brakes, 1LE drive shaft, 4th Gen disc brake fbody rear end.
2011 leaf SL, white, portable 240v CHAdeMO, trailer hitch, new batt as of 2014.
  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com