tossing around the idea of adding a splitter

[shatto]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58YEB...eature=related
This'll give you something to think about.
NASCAR teams spend $10,000 for a 10 hour block of wind tunnel time.
I tend to think most of the aerodynamic tinkering has been done by the factory and only the impractical modifications are left for us.

[fowljesse]

I covered the bottom of the front of my car from the lip toa few inches behind the front wheels. I haven't been able to calculate MPG because of crazy weather. The biggest benefit is not cringing every time I hit a puddle.
I covered it in a campaign sign.




I'm going to cover the rear soon.

[theholycow]

Originally Posted by shatto

I tend to think most of the aerodynamic tinkering has been done by the factory and only the impractical modifications are left for us.

Those engineers are surely some of the best engineers in the world. They have resources, training, and experience that we lack.

There are some things where I wonder about the compromises they have to make. They have to compromise for cars to be driven in all conditions by all kinds of drivers, to last for a long time, to go fast, to be conveniently serviced, for cost, and for style.

Aerodynamics is a major compromise for style...and probably cost, if the company's wind tunnel is in heavy demand.

[fowljesse]

I believe that there are alot of compromises that we can make up for. That's why I got an engine management system, and did alot of the stuff I've done. Also, they have to engineer the cars to be serviceable, and have certain ground clearance. I'm sure that they could easily improve the aerodynamics by alot, if they didn't have to compromise to meet all the criteria. One would probably not hurt the Cd by putting on splitters, underbody smoothness, and such.
I see everything I come to own as an unfinished piece, able to be honed to my specifications. Of course some are more refined than others (I didn't do much to my Mercedes'). One cool thing about the EMS is that I can see by the amount of eintake vacuum, if it's working harder.
The fastest cars I've seen racing had front spoiler extensions that often scraped when braking on bumpy parts. I'd go that route if mine wasn't my daily driver.
BTW, you are lucky that you have your course marked with lines. It rains too much here for that, and I've gotten lost in the middle before