Building ground effects

[Screaming_bmwe30]

Anybody know of any good info on building ground effects, or the general rules to follow when designing them? I've done google searches...but nothing. Any good books on this subject of aerodynamics that people have read, websites or other info would be appreciated.

I'm planning of building everything from aluminum and possibly plastic sheets.

[straight6pwr]

Anybody know of any good info on building ground effects, or the general rules to follow when designing them? I've done google searches...but nothing. Any good books on this subject of aerodynamics that people have read, websites or other info would be appreciated.

I'm planning of building everything from aluminum and possibly plastic sheets.

just buy something thats close to what you want and modify it. i can see building them from scratch being cheaper but youll have to put a lot of work into them, and it will probably be quite the chore to get them to fit on right.

[Screaming_bmwe30]

I made this post semi-vague in description to attract those who know what groud effects are.

not talking about ricer body-kits here....i'm talking about actual ground effects.

[straight6pwr]

I made this post semi-vague in description to attract those who know what groud effects are.

not talking about ricer body-kits here....i'm talking about actual ground effects.

ive only heard the term ground effects used as a synonym to body kits, side skirts etc. i guess i am a noob. what exactly are you talking about? like aerodynamic pieces?

[BimmerToad]

check out http://www.mulsannescorner.com/ While it won't tell you how to make ground effects, it will give you a good idea of how diffusers and splitters function.

In general, your car is going to have to be SLAMMED to take advantage of any sort of ground effects.

[Dave]

I think that is what he means. Like the kind of things that help create more downforce. Enough to hold a hood in place without pins, maybe? ;-)

[NC325iC]

i always refered to underbody neons as ground effects...

[straight6pwr]

I think that is what he means. Like the kind of things that help create more downforce. Enough to hold a hood in place without pins, maybe? ;-)

or hold a ferrari to a ceiling at 100mph.

[Screaming_bmwe30]

check out http://www.mulsannescorner.com/ While it won't tell you how to make ground effects, it will give you a good idea of how diffusers and splitters function.

In general, your car is going to have to be SLAMMED to take advantage of any sort of ground effects.

yeah, the term ground effects has really been thrown around loosely...but it really just identifies underbody aerodynamic pieces that aid in creating downforce and stability in race cars. Pretty much all race cars use some type of ground effects which include splitters, side skirts (to hold the airflow under the car) and rear diffusers....but i'm only somewhat familiar with what all of these components do, and i've only seen a few examples in person.

I'll check that site out. I do realize that to get the major effect...i'd probably have to be riding a few inches off the ground....but i'm going mostly for less drag, and hopes of making a little more downforce at high speed to where it stabilizes my ride. The car is becoming very light.....and i feel like it's just going to float off the road soon if i don't give it some mods for high speed stability.

Keep the links or pictures coming...i'm looking for reference too...but if anyone else is interested in this topic...we could make it a nice little thread.

[Screaming_bmwe30]

I think that is what he means. Like the kind of things that help create more downforce. Enough to hold a hood in place without pins, maybe? ;-)

You'll never let that one down will ya :) hehe.

[mikeedler]

i prefer to screw 1x1 planks on the sides of my cars, with a bit of cardboard to make extra downforce!

[BMW BMXER]

I would be interested to see how much of a diff ground effects would make on a brick.

I mean its just that windshield sticker that goes on astros and blazers right? (kidding)

[chuckybob]

if you google "aerodynamic efficiency" or something to that effect, itll give you the formula to derive drag as well as the helpfull tip that aerodynamics experts consider the aerodynamicly perfect shape to be a tear drop. given that, id say that your groud effects kit should taper off towards the back on all surfaces that dont generate downforce.

-e- but dont leave any of the wheels open to wind coming from the front, it inreases positive lift. the most aerodynamic car on the site that BimmerToad posted is this one http://www.mulsannescorner.com/aerod...ssannpt93.html but this ones damn close http://www.mulsannescorner.com/aerod...allardj2x.html , it might be a good idea to take styling cues from those.

[DarkWing6]

I know that RyanG's splitters work really well. I remember Jordan talking about it pulling his front end down 1/4" at 80mph or something like that. He was running a Reiger lip with a RyanG splitter if I remember corectly.

[Screaming_bmwe30]

if you google "aerodynamic efficiency" or something to that effect, itll give you the formula to derive drag as well as the helpfull tip that aerodynamics experts consider the aerodynamicly perfect shape to be a tear drop. given that, id say that your groud effects kit should taper off towards the back on all surfaces that dont generate downforce.

-e- but dont leave any of the wheels open to wind coming from the front, it inreases positive lift. the most aerodynamic car on the site that BimmerToad posted is this one http://www.mulsannescorner.com/aerod...ssannpt93.html but this ones damn close http://www.mulsannescorner.com/aerod...allardj2x.html , it might be a good idea to take styling cues from those.

Maybe the links are mis-directing...but besides some downforce/speed numbers, i don't see much on those two prototypes. That nissan is badass though...the one from Gran Turismo, even though it doesn't show pictures of it on that site.

And yes, there will definately be a splitter involved, but since i'm making a new front valence, it's doubtful something pre-made like that would work. I would be interested in where he got his ABS though (or whatever plastic he uses), because sheet's of that stuff is crazy expensive where i'm looking.

Thanks for the responses guys.