I'm just in the middle of a n engine transplant on my gbs zero from a pinto to a zx9r engine. I have the chance to pannel off the bottom of my car as the engine does not stick past the chassi . What are the advantage of this if any.
Alledgely a smooth airflow under the car
However you need a rear diffuser to get any downforce
Disadvantage is that the hot air from the radiator has no where to go
IMHO not worth it
I have got a diffuser but I kind of agree that it's prob not woth it
Top end and economy, leave it open like under the axle fuel tank and you have added two parachutes under your car.
I have one, I noticed a difference in cornering at high speeds on track.
Cooling isn't an issue with mine although I have wide side pods.
Big up side for me is the fact the engine bay stays a lot cleaner!
Mine is fixed on rivnuts, so removing it is a 5 minute job.
IMO, it's worth it for the cost of a bit of aluminium.
Many if not most production cars have under trays fitted now, even my L200 pickup, so there must be a benefit, I'd guess in production car use
its mainly for economy.
If you had some rear facing louvres punched it could help with under bonnet airflow and cooling.
Combined with a diffuser mine creates a large and noticeable amount of downforce, it also acts as a guard when rubbing over kerbs and it's nice to have a lovely clean engine bay even after a wet Trackday or spinning it through the gravel. As above mines on rivnuts so 5 mins with an Allen key has the whole underside removed for access.
Increase chassis rigidity? Not quite the same benefit as fitting the back to flat-pack furniture but I'm sure it will bring something to the party.
It's all about the little changes once you have made your car.
Lose 5% weight
Lose 5% drag with underfloor sheeting back to front
Gain 5% more power
It's adds up and is cumulative so above is really 16.5% in total
quote:
Originally posted by Smoking Frog
Increase chassis rigidity?
quote:
Originally posted by r1_pete
Many if not most production cars have under trays fitted now, even my L200 pickup, so there must be a benefit, I'd guess in production car use its mainly for economy.
quote:
Originally posted by Slimy38
quote:
Originally posted by r1_pete
Many if not most production cars have under trays fitted now, even my L200 pickup, so there must be a benefit, I'd guess in production car use its mainly for economy.
I suspect it's mostly for decoration so the average Joe doesn't see all the 'horrible greasy bits' when they're in a showroom wanting to buy their new car. Same under the bonnet, I can't remember the last time I saw an engine rather than covers and panels covering everything.
Tin top engine covers are there primarily for sound deadening. The engine under trays are there for aerodynamics to aid fuel economy. If you look under a modern tin top the manufacturer's go to quite a lot of trouble to smooth the airflow under the vehicle. As Mark comments, it's the cumulative effect of small changes that make the difference.
Have read of this - quiet informative.
http://www.autospeed.com/cms/article.html?&A=2159