Aerodynamics

[Protoss]

see things like a 2" drop make a huge difference. A lowered car has less drag than a car with stock springs. For this reason alone may insurance companies will void your insurance if your car's suspension is "modified"

An interesting factoid is that station wagon models have a lower drag coeffient than their sedan brethern. i think that the added weight is what makes them dogs on the road.

[TheLastMarauder]

An interesting factoid is that station wagon models have a lower drag coeffient than their sedan brethern.

I don't see how..

[Protoss]

a lot of the drag is the turbulance produced after the car. the sedan has a more turbulent flow after roof, because of several geometric reasons.

____
****\__- lots of turbulance from tha air having to change directions mulitpul times. vortexs, and pressure variations forms on the trunk.

______
******\ the air doesn't have to change directions until after the car and is more laminate along the back end of the car.

[TheLastMarauder]

I understand.

[JesseSays]

Car and Driver must not have actually tested it because that figure is off by at least 8.5mph.

I say this not to boast that I speed, or that I am proud of having driven that fast.

I caught myself once driving faster than 122mph in the middle of the night during *cough* a street race. The speedo was still climbing, although slowly, but I let off because I feel that that speed on a public road is reckless and dangerous.

I know my car is not stock, but I doubt that it is so powerful that I can go faster than Car and Driver says the car should. The car is lowered about 2 inches. I did not have my bodykit on at the time, I have the SOHC tranny (which might explain something) and I had my Z-rated tires on the car. Also, it was about 0 degrees Celcius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) the aiport I was driving next to is at an altitude of 117 feet. Also, there were zero modifications made to the motor at that point, other than the head conversion.

One car that definately does have a crappy drag coefficiant is the P5.... I've heard a bunch of people saying that with the roof rack, they could'nt get past 109mph.... That's pretty slow for a top speed.... My car can do that in fourth.

how accurate do you think your speedo is? Especially with aftermarket tires that are surely a different diameter than stock.

[bruce95fmla]

not trying to brag or anything, but I wonder what the drag coe. is for the 2nd gens. I know they would be more aerdynamic than the first gens mainly by just looking at them... They are just rounder.
I would figure 3rd gens may be better than the 2nds gens, because they have a sharper nose.

[Gro Harlem]

.34

[Protoss]

and you got this number where?

[Bizob]

how accurate do you think your speedo is? Especially with aftermarket tires that are surely a different diameter than stock.

If anything, my speedo would underestimate my speed because the overall diameter is bigger than the stock size.

Interestingly enough, though, my friends and I all tested our odometers (linked to the speedo, right?) and mine was the only modified one to be calibrated the same as the stock cars we checked with.

[JesseSays]

IMO, even the stock speedo/odo are guesses probably within 5%

[bivery]

IMO, even the stock speedo/odo are guesses probably within 5%

even with a 5% margin of error hes still going about 124mph
you do the math.

[Protoss]

lower limit, 122 *.95= 115.9
upper limit 122 *1.05 = 128.1

therefor Bizob could be doing ANY speed from 116 - 128 mph if his speedo reads 122mph.

[bivery]

the speed in question was bizbo's 122+8.5 which equals 130.5
upper limit: 137.025
lower limit: 123.975

he's still going about 124mph
and not counting the lower speed read b/c of larger than factory tires

bivery=math

[bruce95fmla]

I noticed that my front end on the protege is a lot stabeler, when I have my front lip spoiler on. I figure this must be lowering my drag coe.
I wonder if mild designed side skirts help out any or if they just get in the way.

[JesseSays]

no, it's taking away front lift....