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Learning how to build Lotus Seven replicas...together!
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 Post subject: Re: interesting aero
PostPosted: February 24, 2018, 10:50 pm 
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Joined: November 11, 2013, 4:47 am
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Location: No. Nevada
I gave my Miata to my 83 Y.O. mother, maybe when I'm her age power steering and windup windows might finally appeal to me?
Until then, ROADSTERS RULE!

When Mom stops driving the Miata will become, a Locost or kit car roadster!
I may have to put it into my will that I be transported for my last ride in an open hearse, they can use my El Camino! :)

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 Post subject: Re: interesting aero
PostPosted: February 25, 2018, 1:36 am 
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Joined: May 27, 2006, 9:46 pm
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Location: BC, Canada. eh?
I bought my Miata so I'd have a not-an-SUV to drive while I was building the Locost. The Miata's a blast to drive, but what makes it more fun is anticipating driving the Locost - with substantially more power than the Miata, and half the weight, it should be insane!!

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PostPosted: February 25, 2018, 9:24 am 
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Joined: September 22, 2005, 8:12 am
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Location: 4AGE in S.E. Michigan
Richard
said " I'm going to try "wind wings" first, although from first-person accounts, they don't do much. We'll see - at least the wind wings are easy to remove if they don't contribute."

What I've found is that the winglet need to be mounted higher to help a lot with the buffeting. They need to be mounted very close to the top of the windshield, within an inch or two. My winglets [3rd try] is over 17" x 8.5" and you have to play with the angle setting to optimize.

Here is my break down on percentage of reduced wind buffeting.
Winglets = 10%
Sun visor that can be adjusted about 30* above horizontal = 10%
Half doors = 15%
Bikini top = 20%
Rear window or air dam, both must have bleed hole(s) to be affective = 10%
Full doors without the top = 20%
Disclaimer [sample of one] Dave W


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 Post subject: Re: interesting aero
PostPosted: February 25, 2018, 12:30 pm 
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Location: Fort Worth, Texas
And my experience with wind wings is they have to be mounted very low. You need them to overlap the bottom side or the wind comes under it very strongly.

They also need to be more like wings and not winglets. Bigger is definitely better when it comes to these.

My suggestion is to use some tape and thin wood to simulate them before you spend your money on glass and hangers.

#1 IF you like them then that will tell you more of what and where you need it

#2 it will save you money when you invariably get the wrong size or shape and have to do it over again.

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 Post subject: Re: interesting aero
PostPosted: February 25, 2018, 12:58 pm 
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Location: Under the weather. (Seattle)
RichardSIA wrote:
A true sports car, NOTHING added that did not serve to make it faster. :D
But much that wasn't added, which served to keep it slower...Like a full body and a roof.

Airflow management devices on an aerodynamic tragedy, certainly have the potential to 'make it faster' in addition to reducing driver fatigue.

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 Post subject: Re: interesting aero
PostPosted: February 25, 2018, 4:20 pm 
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Driven5 wrote:
RichardSIA wrote:
A true sports car, NOTHING added that did not serve to make it faster. :D
But much that wasn't added, which served to keep it slower...Like a full body and a roof.

Airflow management devices on an aerodynamic tragedy, certainly have the potential to 'make it faster' in addition to reducing driver fatigue.


Wish I had a pic, no roof, but very light fabric body construction. (Which I may copy for a build I have in mind).
Airflow devices on a "Brick", faster, or more weight?

Please keep in mind that I meant my original post with a degree of humor, not entirely serious.
I see a conflict between "Minimalist sports-car" and PS, PB, AC, etc. which to me make it a touring car.

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 Post subject: Re: interesting aero
PostPosted: February 25, 2018, 4:53 pm 
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Joined: June 8, 2010, 8:02 pm
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Location: White Rock, BC, Canada
There isn't a lot of buffeting if you don't have a windshield..... just saying...... :mrgreen:

I'd also guess the driver of that car has heat issues. Probably an attempt to make the car driveable in high ambient temps. The side ducts are to pull heat out of the underhood area (and reduce footwell temps as a result), and the arm-rest parts may help keep from blasting him in the face with hot air from the exhaust (and maybe the underhood ducts).

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 Post subject: Re: interesting aero
PostPosted: February 26, 2018, 12:38 pm 
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Joined: October 24, 2008, 2:13 pm
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Location: Carlsbad, California, USA
@davew
Thanks for the photo, Dave. I get it now.

@RichardSIA
I'm definitely adding some creature comforts to my build, both for myself and particularly for my wife. I'd like some company on my drives. I'm not going to get it if the car is too crude.

However, having been hit in the head by a rock (not a "stone", a freakin' rock) thrown from a semi's tires in my teenage years while riding my motorcycle, I don't want to repeat that experience. It knocked me silly. Side protection of some kind is a requirement for me. Windshield too.

Cheers,

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Damn! That front slip angle is way too large and the Ackerman is just a muddle.

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