Zulu's Build Thread (Honda CR-Z)

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by Stubby79

I haven't noticed any particular improvement using them. They didn't last any longer, didn't justify the extra expense. When they got older, they left huge swaths unwiped, rather than a bunch of small streaks.

YMMV.

This has been my experience as well. Maybe they work fine on large, flat windshields, but not so well on highly curved ones.

[M_a_t_t]

I find if you keep the blades clean they last much longer. I just spray some glass cleaner on a paper towel and wipe them off every Once in awhile.

What everyone needs to do is befriend they're LAPS. When I need blades for the mercury they just give me some from the returned items in the back. Once the package is open they cant resell it, so it is trashed otherwise. This is at autozone, but I'd assume other stores have a similar policy.

[CigaR007]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-9IIIEvKIg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOiAHRtczus

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by CigaR007

Oh I see what you mean now. To be honest, I doubt the front wipers cause much drag. They seem to be stowed well enough to avoid any drag.

I intend to tuft-test the entire hood. Perhaps I can look into the wipers.

The angled intersection between the hood ( bonnet ) and windshield ( windscreen ) is usually an intentional design consideration, intended to create a small stagnation bubble from which to harvest ambient static pressure for cabin ventilation, without the need of running the electric fan.
I sealed this area off completely, plus adding a more streamlined windshield to my truck. The aero improvement was Cd 0.005. I can't tell you whether it was all from the new glass, from sealing the cowl area, or a combination of the two.
The stagnation bubble also helps isolate the wipers from lifting at high speed. Fast, high performance cars may hide the wipers inside a depression behind the hood. In the past, some Porsche's with 'exposed' wipers, had downforce wings riveted to the wiper arms to keep them planted at high velocity. Safety!

[aerohead]

* definitely looks like wipers are sheltered from the oncoming flow. On-hood flow couldn't look better!
* backlight flow looks unperturbed as well.
I don't have a technical image for the CR-Z, but the rear contour looks improved, compared to my CRX.
Really slick presentation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Very professional!

[CigaR007]

The foam/fibreglass insert has been installed on the lower front bumper.









I need to buy a few tools to complete the internal ducting. Stay tuned.

[aerohead]

I just printed a blueprint of the CR-Z from online and photo-enlarged it for examination at home.
First impression is that there's no way you could possibly have any separation, anywhere over the aft-body. Unlike my Insight or CRX.
It will be a week before I can say.

[CigaR007]

Thank you for the feedback aerohead, much appreciated.

[aerohead]

Computer crashed while in the midst of posting.
The short story of the CR-Z is that it has the 1922 Jaray 'pumpkin seed' contour.
Starting with Hoerner's streamline body / ellipsoid drag table, @ Reynolds number = 10-million, and adding the Honda's mutilations to the 'naked' form, reconstructing the CR-Z's Cd 0.30 is pretty straight forward.
If it weren't for the main body not being boat-tailed, as is the greenhouse, by deconstructing the mutilations, it would be straight forward to reconstruct the Cd 0.13 of the 1922 car.
It would be easier with a BEV. And the necessary length would most likely be best accomplished with a one-wheeled trailer with gap-filler, and only on long road trips.
For it's length, your roof is 'perfect.'

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by CigaR007

The foam/fibreglass insert has been installed on the lower front bumper.

I need to buy a few tools to complete the internal ducting. Stay tuned.

Is the duct for brake cooling or an air-curtain?

Nice project.

EDIT:

I see the top header now, air-curtain.

Good luck pulling it off.