Improving aero underneath

[Illumiloti]

So I've been giving some thought to how we might improve the aerodynamics of the underside of the car. I know there was an article that pointed out some trouble areas. One being where the exhaust tips exit through the stock diffuser (I replaced mine with the Reverie 3 element). Another was around the wheels. My question is this: Has anyone covered up the cutouts in the underpanel at the rear wheels? The suspension components don't drop below the panel unless the car is lifted do they? It would produce a much cleaner flow to the diffuser.
Any other thoughts on ways to improve down low aero?

[exarkun1178]

i remember some talk on this on the chat last week .. some one is working through this issue actively. ill have to remember who...

[RoadDad]

Wider undertray...

[Illumiloti]

Roadad, thanks for the link. That's exactly what I was thinking about. Although I liked the idea of adding vertical vanes that connect to the outside vanes of the diffuser.

[plastique999]

Randy, I believe Brent and manly have been working on this. I'd PM them.

[doug_porsche]

This is sort of a karma thing. I was leafing through an old race car engineering mag and reread the article on this. I am also interested. Lets keep this public and pool the knowledge.

[JnC]

For the under aero bits to truly be effective, you likely need to lower the car and install side skirts that run the length of the car. Like the chap who did this originally for his F1 cars.





linky

[apk919]

Originally Posted by JnC

For the under aero bits to truly be effective, you likely need to lower the car and install side skirts that run the length of the car. Like the chap who did this originally for his F1 cars.





linky

I'd buy a car from his company! Oh, wait...

[IamBatman]

sucker fan

[Illumiloti]

Originally Posted by plastique999

Randy, I believe Brent and manly have been working on this. I'd PM them.

I did. Manly's also put in actual channels that run from the front of the car back to the diffuser.

[Illumiloti]

Originally Posted by doug_porsche

This is sort of a karma thing. I was leafing through an old race car engineering mag and reread the article on this. I am also interested. Lets keep this public and pool the knowledge.

Yup, that was the article I was thinking of. Couldn't remember where I saw it.

[Illumiloti]

Originally Posted by JnC

For the under aero bits to truly be effective, you likely need to lower the car and install side skirts that run the length of the car. Like the chap who did this originally for his F1 cars.





linky

Well, not necesarily. Don't believe current F1 or Indy cars have verticle skirts running down the length of the car and they have pretty decent aero.
Look, obviously, any car that is going to run on both the street and the track is going to have loads of compromises in both arenas. the ideal aerodynamics would have the undertray an inch off the ground and the diffuser vanes extending down that far as well. That said, there are several streetable "track" cars that do much better than the Lotus when it comes to aero. The Ferraris, and the Gumpert Apollo don't even need wings because their undertray aerodynamics are so good. There's plenty of room for improvement in our cars and it shouldn't cost too much.

[Illumiloti]

Randy, can you combine this thread with this one?:

Wider undertray...

[jallingt]

Combining a effective front splitter with a more aggressive diffuser.... how does this compare to using only a wing?
Is the issue effectiveness VS. speed? (wing for slower speed higher downforce and more drag where as splitter and diffuser higher speeds to achieve higer downforce but less drag)