Spoilers

[Murat]

Howdy folks

I came across an article here in this site about the usage of spoilers and their effect to fuel saving. I would like to get some ideas and instructions from those of you who have builte their own.

I just do not want to buy those "fast and furious" crap sold in the market but something effective.

Any advice most welcomed...

All the best

[Sludgy]

There are 2 types:

"Chin" spoilers at the front reduce areo drag under the car. They do help save gas. However, low chin spoilers frequently get broken off on speed bumps and curbs.

"Tail" spoilers are used to produce down force, pressing tires against the pavement for better cornering at high speeds. Around town, the don't add much down force, but the drag reduces your mileage.

Spoilers don't help much, imho. Aero modifications that do increase mileage are: tonneau covers (for trucks) belly pans and wheel skirts.

[Murat]

Well I went to this workshop which produces plexiglass shower cabins. I asked him if he could cover the bottom of my car and other information. He told me he would do so and the weight added would be around 25 kgs (55lbs) (car: 2006 Hyundai Getz 1.4 16V)

I guess I can compensate that weight gain's effect by lowering the car and decreasing its profile...??

[thisisntjared]

that weight seems to be too much. however spoilers can help with the coefficietn of drag! he is correct about the article!

there are some really good links from this site in some threads concerning aerodynamics.

lowering the car will help as it removes some of the frontal area from the tires.

[Murat]

I thought so. Well the plexi underbody cover is of 5mm (approx 1/5 inches) it can be made of thinner plexi as well but I feared it could be too frail against rocks and bottomoing out at speed bumps or such.

The workshop owner said 2mm (approx 1/11 inches) would suffice and it would weigh like less than half that (20lbs or so)

I dunno...

Whhoooppsss forgot to add : could you guide me to some of the links if I would not be of too much trouble ?

[SVOboy]

http://www.gassavers.org/forum_topic/belly_pan_installation_honda_del_sol.html

That's the one by dan, cheap and easy,

[thisisntjared]

these are two good ones for basic starting knowledge.

http://www.tfd.chalmers.se/~lelo/rvad/reports/rva2002_gr11_contribution-to-drag.pdf

http://www.tfd.chalmers.se/~lelo/rvad/reports/rva2002_gr10_drag-reducing.pdf

[Murat]

Originally Posted by SVOboy

http://www.gassavers.org/forum_topic/belly_pan_installation_honda_del_sol.html

That's the one by dan, cheap and easy,

Dan did a good job. However, I am a bit of a "tid,ness freak"... Besides, my car is only 2 mo. old and I'd rather stick to a little more expensive but neat thing. I guess a 1mm plexi sheet should do the trick if corrugated plastic and duct tape can do the trick...

I will go using cord lock strips to fix the plexi sheets to areas suitable thru eyeholes I will drill on the fly...

Will submit some pics soon as I get the project rolling. BTW, don't you folks ever fear the cat? It heats up to enormous temperatures and could burn the stuff you place close...

[Murat]

Originally Posted by thisisntjared

these are two good ones for basic starting knowledge.

http://www.tfd.chalmers.se/~lelo/rvad/reports/rva2002_gr11_contribution-to-drag.pdf

http://www.tfd.chalmers.se/~lelo/rvad/reports/rva2002_gr10_drag-reducing.pdf

Saved the pdf' s right away !! Thanks a lot... Gonna design and build wheel spoilers with splitters and deflectors... The car already has rear wheel spoilers and a tiny air dam in the front but guess I need to enhance them in a stylish way... So I'm gonna hit the foam block with my xacto and sandpaper !!

[Ryland]

for a belly pan, and even wheel covers, I would searusly think about something like polycarbinate because it's going to be less likely to shatter, it's what's used for safty glasses, or try air plane fabric and paint, you should be able to attach either one of these with metal edges that are pined on, or buttened on, or held on with small bolts and "T" nuts.

[95metro]

There's always this tail spoiler for extra mpg:

http://www.max-mpg.com/html/tech/main.htm

But only if you own a new VW Beetle.

[Murat]

Originally Posted by Ryland

for a belly pan, and even wheel covers, I would searusly think about something like polycarbinate because it's going to be less likely to shatter, it's what's used for safty glasses, or try air plane fabric and paint, you should be able to attach either one of these with metal edges that are pined on, or buttened on, or held on with small bolts and "T" nuts.

I consulted the provider who carries the polymer stuff. He told me that polycarb is durable when molded into "spheric" bodies; i.e. orb, elliptoid orb etc. or boxes. Otherwise he said it would be way too elastic and wobbly and when it wobbles it will tear from the pin-down areas.
As for aircraft material; I know of a carbon fiber provider but that stuff is astronomically expensive. I' d rather let it stay as is...

Thank you for the ideas though. I have rims which I am planning to equip with tiny splitters. (Please see attached pic of my car)

[kickflipjr]

is it just me or does that car look like...





It is just one economy hatchback blur.

[Murat]

The Daewoo (or Chevy) Kalos is dreadful... But I just love the Suzy... They sell the 1.3 "Smart 4 wheel drive" versions here.
It is supposed to kick in extra drive and traction when needed...

Well in Europe we usually drive this kinda stuff. We do not even dream of 3.5 4.3 and 5.4 liter engines except for semis with 18 wheels