??? About new car aerodynamics.....

[EddieS'04]

I have noticed that many new cars have grill shutters. Most say they shut off @ 45mph. To create less drag coeffient.



To me that doesnt make sense, but Im no engineer. To me it seems as if with shutters closed the nose would be like pushing a brick into the wind.

Also unless the car is also a lower bumper breather. You shut off the main air across the radiator.



Can someone educate the dummy in me....LOL

 

[scott degroot]

Eddie,



Simply put, the cars do not need that much airflow across the radiator while moving. The excess air only causes more drag due to the air not being able to escape the engine compartment efficently. This causes a greater loss in mpg that closing off the front end of the car. It also helps the air to flow under the car more efficently which also reduces drag.

 

[Doctor CAD]

Same reason why a truckload of pipe is always covered in front. Air moves much easier around stuff than through stuff.



Laminar vs. turbulant flow.

 

[Richard L]

Eddie,

l1tech is correct, There is still enough airflow getting to the radiator even with the shutters closed. The shutters just block off the excess air flow and excess drag.



...Rich

 

[EddieS'04]

Thanks guy's.....



It just seemed odd to me.

It also helps the air to flow under the car more efficently which also reduces drag.

I would think they would put an air spliter under the bumper. To also help. Plus maybe a small cowl opening at the rear of the hood.

Before cowl type hoods. We use to raise the hood hinges, at the firewall. To let the hot air out. OPPS' I just told my age...LOL

 

[scott degroot]

Hoods alwasy got in the way of my tunnel ram...those were the days

 

[LaRue Medlin]

Hey Eddie,,, remember the Gabriel Hi-Jacker shocks. My 1970 Nova was always going downhill..:bwahaha:.

 

[EddieS'04]

Hey Eddie,,, remember the Gabriel Hi-Jacker shocks. My 1970 Nova was always going downhill

LaRue, Yep I remember those days. Sometimes we did it for tire clearance. Then there were times we thought it was cool. We didnt' think about the fact, it was not right for wieght transfer traction....:bwahaha:



Do you remember Bill Cosbys' joke. Carrol Shelby was going to build him a 200mph Cobra. So he could beat the kids, with chevy's looking like they were going down hill...:bwahaha: