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Aerodynamics

Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 11:41 pm
by BracketNova
I hope to start a conversation where we can share some tips and all gain some free ET. I'll have to be a bench racer this year, so I have my mind going.


John...
Image

Are those plates over your air vents for aesthetics only?

I have been thinking of putting a black backer behind my grill to force the air around the car. I don't see that airflow is needed for 7 seconds down the track...I have fans too if I need them.

I'd also like to get a front spoiler and drop the car a couple of inches...Are lowering blocks a problem on drag cars :roll:

Re: Aerodynamics

Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 6:59 am
by John_Heard
Those plates are there #1 to keep fire out, but also to clean things up a bit.

I've used a piece of aluminum behind my grill for quite a while. Been thinking of replacing it with some ABS plastic which would be a little lighter, and it wouldn't need repainting from getting chipped all the time.

I've got 1" lowering blocks in mine, they seem to work just fine.

There are a few other things for Aero you might notice if you look close, but they probably don't really amount to much.

Re: Aerodynamics

Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 5:50 pm
by BracketNova
The pvc I'm going to use I don't remember the exact name of it, but sign shops use it. You can heat up with a heat gun and mold it to any shape you want. When it cools it retains the shape it was in. It is what I used to fill the dash in for that drag car i upholstered. That's what I am planning on using behind my grill and in the bumper.

Re: Aerodynamics

Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 8:51 pm
by John_Heard
I would just recommend using black, as anything painted will end up chipping. 1/8" thick would be about right. There is a groove at the top behind the grill it will fit in, and I used the small holes at the bottom of the grill to hold it in.

Re: Aerodynamics

Posted: Sat May 05, 2012 12:02 am
by BracketNova
Is there any other color than black? 8-)

Re: Aerodynamics

Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 11:39 am
by Bruce69Camaro

Re: Aerodynamics

Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 11:17 pm
by BracketNova
Transparent...I didn't think about that.

I think this stuff http://www.eplastics.com/Plastic/Kydex is similar to the stuff I used from the sign shop. I wouldn't think he would pay that much a sheet though - $200 bucks, ouch.



edit---here's some stuff for $50 bucks http://www.plasticsintl.com/polypropylene-sheet.html

Re: Aerodynamics

Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 7:52 am
by John_Heard
That black ABS Plastic stuff you can get off ebay in smaller sheets pretty cheap. It's wrinkle finish on one side, smooth on the other.