NASA AZ night event tomorrow... will be a packed event, good chance to test the car on a track I've not run before - Firebird Main
On of the engineers I work with has an extensive background in aerospace fluid dynamics and stopped by my house tonight to provide input. Here's the list we came up with - in no particular order:
a. replace headlights and tail lights with flat contoured aluminum sheets
b. likes the idea of a flat bottom but would prioritize side skirts ahead of that... goal is to be <3" off the ground on sides and have them extend out enough to be effective
c. he likes the idea of using the side scoops to generate vortices out the rear license plate area... recommending creating two counter opposing vortex generators and experimenting with the amount of airflow to determine optimal
d. doesn't like the front splitter design and instead recommends creating an entirely new front fascia with a gradual build up from lower lip tapering smoothly to hood... if keeping front splitter, doesn't need to stick out any farther and should be made more light weight
e. add a flexible 'skirt' from hood to windshield to eliminate the large seam that exists now w/o the plastic
f. create ducts in fenders behind the front wheels and determine a way for air to flow out of the wheel wells along the side panels / doors
g. reduce the volume of the wheel wells somehow hugging closer to tires
h. make the rear diffuser a lower priority
i. add small plastic fairings in front of the open windows to keep some of the air from rushing into the cockpit
j. optimize the angle of the rear wing... and make corresponding changes to rear suspension spring rates
k. feels the rear of the car is very "un-aero"... add vortex generators all along the back of the car to minimize the air separation... suggested I study some older aircraft designs that were retrofitted with vortex generators
l. also on the rear, he strongly recommended shave the 'hump' off the rear hatch - it is only cosmetic and is causing a major drag effect
Also, here's an updated project list:
- check steering column... very loose at hub... 2 screws are stripped
- update the splitter with t. washers and eliminate some weight
- fabricate air box for rear flow and setup diff cooler and pump
- weld / fill the holes on the rear deck
- shave weight on hood, rear hatch, bumper beams, rear structure, etc
- more permanent wiring for electrical accessories
- fix triple gauge... possible short
- fix SRM... possible short
- add front brake cooling
- swap radiator hoses for new SAMCO's
- resolve fuel starvation issue
- install longer wheel studs and open lugs
- alignment... -3.5 front / -2.5 rear, dial back caster to ~5
- install spa oil/water gauge in place of clock
- COBB tune... then dyno for NASA
Trailer to do's:
- patch holes in trailer... big one on side, some little ones
- install electric winch in trailer
- paint floor with "porch paint"
F250 to do:
- figure out why battery light keeps coming on
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