98 civic sedan coefficient of drag? where to find? - Page 3

krousdb · 02-22-2006, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVOboy

Synergies I'd say,

I'd try to see if you could fit a civic vx rear diffuser on the del sol if I were you,

Huh? Got a pic?

SVOboy · 02-22-2006, 05:27 PM

No pictures, but it sits on the back and does kinda what compaq was going for but stock and really well. As we know, the vx was the gas mileage king/queen of it's time.

MetroMPG · 02-22-2006, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Which would have the greatest impact? Would all three create synergies that one or two would not?

depends. i have no idea what the underside of your car is like. but typically, about 1/3 of a car's total drag is caused there. (1/3 is cooling & engine compartment flow, the other 3rd is airflow over the outside of the car).

if you make the underbody smooth, you don't need a chin level air dam (the purpose of which is to keep airflow away from a rough underbody). smoothing the underbody is preferable because it doesn't increase frontal area.

i'm not really sure what holes in the back bumper would do. haven't read anything about that or thought much about it.

Quote:

I wanna reduce drag, but I don't want to change the look of the car.

come on, think of the mpg, man! that rear pod-mod would be good for at least a couple more mpg at highway speeds. should i assume we're also not going to be seeing wheel skirts on the del camino?

(my cardboard ones are getting pretty darn ratty with the snow melt & puddles lately.)

ps - the rear underbody treatment we're aiming for isn't technically a diffuser. it's just a pan.

SVOboy · 02-22-2006, 07:22 PM

Quote:

ps - the rear underbody treatment we're aiming for isn't technically a diffuser. it's just a pan.

True, but if the stock diffuser was a bolt on that'd be pimp.

MetroMPG · 02-22-2006, 07:50 PM

my bad - i was talking more about the terminology. "diffuser" isn't really the right word for the pan under the back of the vx. i'm just being picky about words.

i agree it would be great if it were a simple swap though.

Matt Timion · 02-22-2006, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVOboy

No pictures, but it sits on the back and does kinda what compaq was going for but stock and really well. As we know, the vx was the gas mileage king/queen of it's time.

I actually got one of these for a friend of mine at the junkyard... it looks like this:

(part #14)

Diemaster said there was a VX at his junkyard, it might be good ask him to check for this part. If you guys don't want it I'll take it (assuming it's still there).

krousdb · 02-23-2006, 04:48 AM

It's kinda hard to tell from the picture but does it sit behind the rear wheel on both sides and redirect the air out the the side instead of air being trapped in the rear bumper cover? Can you see it from the outside or do you have to get under the car to see it?

I think there is one of these in my parking lot at work. Maybe I will take a peek? How can I tell if it is a VX? It is the hatchback as shown in the picture. Are all hachbacks VX's?

Any, Diemaster, If you are listening. Do you know if that diffuser is still available?

Matt Timion · 02-23-2006, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krousdb

It's kinda hard to tell from the picture but does it sit behind the rear wheel on both sides and redirect the air out the the side instead of air being trapped in the rear bumper cover? Can you see it from the outside or do you have to get under the car to see it?

I think there is one of these in my parking lot at work. Maybe I will take a peek? How can I tell if it is a VX? It is the hatchback as shown in the picture. Are all hachbacks VX's?

Any, Diemaster, If you are listening. Do you know if that diffuser is still available?

It's a plastic piece that is about the size of a computer. I say that because a computer box was the only box big enough for me to ship it in. It's not visible unless you get under the car and look.

The one I took it off of was on the drivers side. It attached to the bumper and was held in by a screw or two as well.

It essentially smooths out the airflow before the bumper in that area. I used to have pictures of one but I can't find them now. I'll look a little more.

The civic VX will say "VX" on it. There are at least 3 different hatchback models during those years, so don't mistake a non-vx for a vx.