Quote:
Originally Posted by TimMullen
Yes and No...
The diffuser gives a larger "volume" for the air to expand into. Expanding air drops in pressure. The air is expanding in the diffuser area and that's where the down force is being generated. The smooth under body is mostly for the decrease in drag. Any down force generated because of the flat under body is because of the shape of the top of the car instead..
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That's not really right, Tim. Of course we've been through all this umteen times before
The peak downforce on a car like ours should be at the very beginning of the diffuser, where the transition from flat to diffuser takes place. After that, the area from the diffuser back is where the DF tapers off-- fast. That's why many diffusers start at or near the rear axle, to maximize DF over the rear tires. The more the diffuser transition is moves forward, the more forward that peak DF is... The diffuser is simply there to reintroduce the fast moving air to the slower (high pressure) air behind the car...
Best,
Phil