Aerodynamics of a bug

[Jadewombat]

I guess I asked the wrong question, I don't care about the style, etc. but along the lines of:



Does the taper of the taillights rolling off the back of the fender make an area of dead air? Would smoothing this out to follow the contour of the rear fenders be better for flow/drag or would it not matter? Plus it looks like the flat ones are a little bit lighter than the stock ones.

[Gerrelt]

I think it doesn't matter anything. The rear lights are probably allready in a turbulent or low pressure area.

I don't like the look of the new beetle style rear lights.

I've grown quite fond of the elefants feet rear taillights. They have a really nice functional look.
I only wished they were a bit better build.

[Wally]

Originally Posted by Gerrelt

I've grown quite fond of the elefants feet rear taillights. They have a really nice functional look.
I only wished they were a bit better build.

+1 'Scheisskwalität'...
I have one taillight reflector housing that has two seperate departments and is a cast/mold alu-like material and very nice quality. Never could find another one though...

[Gerrelt]

Originally Posted by Wally

+1 'Scheisskwalität'...
I have one taillight reflector housing that has two seperate departments and is a cast/mold alu-like material and very nice quality. Never could find another one though...

Ah, thanx for posting that. I never new there was a "metal" version of these lights.

I think they are from the late model VW thing (181).

Do they look like this?: Link to samba add

The Thing got them in metal for sturdiness for going off-road, is my theory..

I want a set!

[graham]

Hi very interesting thread here.I would like some peoples views on the best way to dissperse air out under the car once its been through the front grill and through the rads.I do have a box section made up to cover the rads but I am sure that this could be better designed to creat downforce instead of lift and also channel air better under the floorpan.I have also been tinkering with some designs for the rear wings, apron and bumper set up I will post some sketches when I get time thanks.
[IMG]~original[/IMG]

[IMG]~original[/IMG]

[Jadewombat]

Originally Posted by graham

Hi very interesting thread here.I would like some peoples views on the best way to dissperse air out under the car once its been through the front grill and through the rads.I do have a box section made up to cover the rads but I am sure that this could be better designed to creat downforce instead of lift and also channel air better under the floorpan.I have also been tinkering with some designs for the rear wings, apron and bumper set up I will post some sketches when I get time thanks.

Nice car. I think dispersing the air under the car from the front grill may create more lift by making a pocket of more air between the car and the road as you're trying to minimize the amount of air passing under the car. Sending the air up and over the hood through a scoop about 1/3 way up has been proved to create more downforce on the front end as seen on this Acura here:

http://www.germanlook.net/forums/sho...t=2820&page=14

and 911:



...although I don't think you'd want to cut up that beautiful black hood of yours though?? Looks like your car is pretty sleek as it is. You could maybe install ducts from the grill to the backing plates of the front brakes to keep them cool. What kind of front bumper is that?

[graham]

Originally Posted by Jadewombat

Nice car. I think dispersing the air under the car from the front grill may create more lift by making a pocket of more air between the car and the road as you're trying to minimize the amount of air passing under the car. Sending the air up and over the hood through a scoop about 1/3 way up has been proved to create more downforce on the front end as seen on this Acura here:

http://www.germanlook.net/forums/sho...t=2820&page=14

and 911:



...although I don't think you'd want to cut up that beautiful black hood of yours though?? Looks like your car is pretty sleek as it is. You could maybe install ducts from the grill to the backing plates of the front brakes to keep them cool. What kind of front bumper is that?

Thanks Jadewombat
I did think about cutting the hood but as you have said cutting it would not be something I would want to do .The bumper is from a Rover 400,It has been modified a bit but not heavily.

[aircured]

Originally Posted by Gerrelt

I've grown quite fond of the elefants feet rear taillights. They have a really nice functional look.
I only wished they were a bit better build.

+1 al kaholic...
I don't like the look of the new beetle style rear lights either.