Topic: Solstice aerodynamics tested via computer simulation

[wegman]

posted this on another forum a wile back and wanted to share with everyone over here!!


http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/32235-future-car-future-of-aerodynamic-testing-video.htm

[wegman]

a solstice is in the movie clip... just to let every one know..

[GXPinKC]

Bringing back this thread by wegman.  Go to the first post.  You will learn something about aerodynamics.  By the way the Solstice was tested via computer simulation.  As you all know however the Cdr on the Kappa's certainly is not spectacular compared to some other sports cars.  That being said, this roadster was designed to look like a million and provide honest performance for the dollar invested and it surely does all of that and more!

Also, you may wish to check out some of the related video's and preview.  

[Treeman]

And that explains the soot I get on the rear of my car.  Huge low pressure area from the top of the license plate down in their sim.

[Triuser]

Ever since I read that one post about the aerodynamics of our cars I've been curious what we could do to improve these numbers.  I like the looks of our cars, but I also like to personalize my ride and if I could do it and get better aerodynamics, all the better.

[Critterman]

Less air under it, take the looks out of the nose, change the top for a start.

[perris]

Ever since I read that one post about the aerodynamics of our cars I've been curious what we could do to improve these numbers.  I like the looks of our cars, but I also like to personalize my ride and if I could do it and get better aerodynamics, all the better.

needs a steeper rake at the windshield and the windshield wipers need to be covered, the humps create a venturi that shouldn't be there, the front tires are too exposed, the nose is too bulbous, the side view mirrors are two bricks acting as brakes on the side of the car

[2kwk4u]

"Aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines"

- Enzo Ferrari

[diamoney]

"Aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines"

- Enzo Ferrari

In other words:  "An F-4 aircraft...  proving that with enough power even a brick will fly."

[Sol Asylum]

And the F-14 proved what happens when you have a sudden loose of power with regards to said brick.

[Uranium-238]

Actually, the more aerodynamic planes are the ones tend to suffer most when the engines have trouble. Generally speaking, the draggier planes have more lift/lower stall speeds. At work, an F-16 or a T-38 would be known as a "Flying Brick." Does great till you lose power, then those little nothing wings don't do much good.

[Sol Asylum]

Yeah but the F-16 is a fly by wire plane and is designed to be out of dynamic balance to begin with so when the engine power gives up the go things can get interesting.  Planes that are designed to go fast tend not to do well at slow speeds.  The F-14 with it's swing wing was supposed to make the best of both situations, I'm not sure it succeded.

Controlability/stability and aerodynamics are two seperate things yet they are closly related in planes.

With regard to aerodynamics and our Kappas the back end of our cars is probably the biggest drag creator because as the airflow around the car seperates from the surface of the car there is a large void between the airflow paths.  It's kind of hard to describ but basicaly you want an object to be tear drop shaped with the larger radius surface leading into the airflow and the pointed surface at the back so that the airflow is rejoined in as smooth a path as possible.

[Uranium-238]

Yeah but the F-16 is a fly by wire plane and is designed to be out of dynamic balance to begin with so when the engine power gives up the go things can get interesting.  Planes that are designed to go fast tend not to do well at slow speeds.  The F-14 with it's swing wing was supposed to make the best of both situations, I'm not sure it succeded.

Controlability/stability and aerodynamics are two seperate things yet they are closly related in planes.

Yeah, we go could on about that for hours probably... 

The F-14 were beasts though, really miss seeing them flying around. Pretty wild seeing something that bulky moving so fast.

[kennysabarese]

I wanted to be a pilot and fly F-14's when I was a kid (not cuz of Top Gun) When I got glasses and stopped trying hard in school that dream went down the toilet.

[Uranium-238]

Yep, that was me too, though for me it was F-18's.

Of course now they let you fly if you get laser surgery, but by the time they started that it was too late for me because of the choices I made for school.

[Critterman]

A4's are the way to go