Aerodynamic panels, questions/ideas for improving CD and mpg of 6g Options

[ricochet1490]

Has anyone ever heard of addition panels to improve the coefficient of drag (cd) of our cars? Sites like ecomodder have all the people making stupid looking stuff to gain mpg, but imo our cars look too good for that to happen. So I was thinking, what if we made panels that either A) looked good on the car, or B) couldn't be "readily seen" - aka made out of lexan or something.

Any Thoughts, ideas? I think if we could shape some clear panels to deflect air around our bucket head lights, and some to keep the air off the spoiler (but still using the spoiler for mounting/looks), we could probably gain at least a few mpg. It might be worth looking into if some cheap lexan could be found.

[Special_Edy]

All this talk of dimples, something else that improves airflow is small fins running the length of a panel. You see them on the wings of airplanes sometimes. Probably you would want fins that would be under an inch tall at least a couple feet long running under the car. Unlike the dimple idea, they would try to straighten the airflow as it traveled under the car thus reducing turbulence.

Run skinnier tires with higher pressure and less rolling resistance, at the cost of traction and ride comfort they would improve fuel economy. And then you would want to fabricate a cover for the wheel wells. You could cover the entire rear wheel because it doesnt turn. Your goal would be to have as little gap as possible around the entire wheel( including the undercariage and the front/rear of the tire).

Anything you can do to lengthen the car will also reduce the drag coefficient of the vehicle. I remember reading somewhere that the optimal length for a car in regards to drag coefficient is 35ft long. So maybe just chopping the top and sectioning the body would be the best way to approach this.

Of course with any modification, your going farther and farther into diminishing returns. The amount of work required will far outweigh the potential fuel savings

This post has been edited by Special_Edy: May 3, 2012 - 4:13 PM