Idea for a custom spoiler for mk1

[ORCoaster]

Maybe I need to start reading on the eco-modder site.  At least for a few grins and giggles I guess.  I guess I would learn something and I am interested in getting back to 50 mpg.  Actually would like to just get the car running again, another thread there.

What strikes me is the bulkiness of the whole affair.  Reminds me of a bottle opener or something you would get a forklift under and move the car to a storage rack.

I do understand aerodynamics and pushing air or creating turbulence is generally never pretty.  Especially if not designed into the car body in the first place.  I run an air dam on the front of my car, tires up to dangerously high pressures and I have thought of a rear spoiler.  Just not that kind.  I see lots of the new stuff is very curvy has several different angles blended into the up or down areas.  Time to mod up an old surfboard I think.  Those cores are easy to sand to form. 

[scrounger]

Take a look at almost any newer SUV. They all have a wing extending above the back window. Just imitate. Your surfboard experience is exactly what you need for the project. The drawing of your wing was great just tip it down a tiny bit rather than up.

Good luck.

[Rising]

Take a look at almost any newer SUV. They all have a wing extending above the back window. Just imitate. Your surfboard experience is exactly what you need for the project. The drawing of your wing was great just tip it down a tiny bit rather than up.

Good luck.

Excellent yes! I will definitely take this into account for my next draft. It seems from some of the information i've gathered that I need to actually raise the wing up some more to effect any real downforce and lower it some more to get the diesel savings i was hoping for. So what do you think about making an adjustable wing? I don't think it would be that hard. I know tons of wings are adjustable. You basically just make the side sections and center sections separately and join them with some hardware that has a couple positions it can lock into. It might be a neat concept to provide street gas savings and track performance. Although tracking isn't exactly what I'm after for my diesel rabbit. I know there are alot of people with GTI's who track their cars and it might be worth making a few of these.

I'm still considering things. But for mine I may just make a down turned eco wing.

The shell looks like it's in good shape. ::envy::

55mpg is pretty damn good, my 86 has gotten close... maybe this year, after a swap.

If you have a strong interest in aerodynamics, openFOAM is a free CFD linux program. Not simple or easy.

http://www.openfoam.com/


Affordable CAD (that plays well with others) http://www.alibre.com/
I'm an end-user, not a company shill.

This is exactly the kind of thing i've been looking for and I'm a linux user anyway

I'll try to see if it's possible to convert my model over to something like that and run some testing and i'd be interested to see a baseline for the rabbits anyway. Possibly even compare the effects of lowering/front air dam in combination with some sort of drag reducing spoiler. Should be interesting anyway!

[TylerDurden]

I'll try to see if it's possible to convert my model over to something like that and run some testing and i'd be interested to see a baseline for the rabbits anyway.

AIUI, models should be in the stl format. Got a link to that model?... I'l see if I can open it and convert it.

[scrounger]

Since about 1960 race cars have gone away from streamlining, except Bonneville type cars. The emphasis has been on down-force. Specifically how to get the maximum downforce for the minimum drag penalty. Simply downforce increases drag. Formula cars are all about pushing the car down to the road as efficiently as possible. Their coefficient of drag is pretty high. You want to minimize drag which is to get the air to leave you with the smallest wake as possible.

Read about the Kamm effect.

I am not convinced that my trunk lid park bench offers much help I think I should redesign it. My vw will coast in neutral for a half mile on the flat and decrease from 60 to 40 or 45.

The parts that I have added to my car weigh about 8 pounds.

[Rising]

I'll try to see if it's possible to convert my model over to something like that and run some testing and i'd be interested to see a baseline for the rabbits anyway.

AIUI, models should be in the stl format. Got a link to that model?... I'l see if I can open it and convert it.

This is the model I used for the design:

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=b698d2a9e5e59cea8bb31546cc8ae90e

Sent from my ThunderBolt using Tapatalk 2

[TylerDurden]

Cool. 

It seems I won't need to do the conversion, if you can use the free and open-source skp ->stl plugin:

"This is a plugin script for Google's free 3D design program Sketchup. The free version of Sketchup has limited file export options and many CAM programs will not recognise the native Sketchup (SKP) file format. This plugin allows you to export your Sketchup model as a DXF or STL files readable by most CAM and 3D printer software."

http://www.guitar-list.com/download-software/convert-sketchup-skp-files-dxf-or-stl

[clbanman]

A few of the members have mentioned the "tip-down" style.    In my teens my parents had a Dodge Aspen station wagon with one of these (http://www.gluck.net/paul/carhistory/79DodgeAspenWagon.jpg) and it did an amazing job of keeping the rear window clean.  It pulls some air down and forces it across the window glass.  I think in the real world that might have a more usefull application for a Golf than the downforce you would gain from a raised lip style.

[mystery3]

Take a look at the newest Acura RDX, I think a slightly scaled down model would be perfect.