Opinions and feedback on how this looks, please.

[sccacuda]

Want to get some feedback on how this looks. If you hate it, feel free to say so!


Mocking up the rocker extensions and diffuser spill plates. These are just cardboard to give a rough idea. A VERY rough idea!

The side splitters are actually extensions of the belly pan, so its flat all the way under and across. Exhaust would be at the rear of the rocker extension and I'll put air extractors in the front of the rocker, down the length, to pull air above the belly pan.





https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/05/file_zpsce388ae5-1.jpg (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/340cuda/media/file_zpsce388ae5.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/05/file_zpsb0de8841-1.jpg (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/340cuda/media/file_zpsb0de8841.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/05/file_zps1361e061-1.jpg (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/340cuda/media/file_zps1361e061.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/05/file_zpsc5d9c0d7-1.jpg (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/340cuda/media/file_zpsc5d9c0d7.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/05/file_zps365e19c8-1.jpg (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/340cuda/media/file_zps365e19c8.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/05/file_zpsc4b86d3d-1.jpg (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/340cuda/media/file_zpsc4b86d3d.jpg.html)

[ill steez]

Personally I'd like to see something a little more subtle. Concept is good though.

[slammedwhitec5vert]

I like them but I would leave them black or CF

[75gremlin]

I like them but I would leave them black or CF

I agree with this statement. if I remember correctly from your build you are looking to run monster mile or something like that, correct? it will definitely help with stabilizing the car. what are the plans for the front? also would trying to incorporate the exhaust into the diffuser help more with generating downforce. as in like the exhaust blown diffusers formerly used in f1.

[jlcustomz]

Many different ways to go about what you're doing there. If the rest of the car was unfinished, I'd strongly suggest making what looks like extended rockers & having them start out under the door bottom , keeping a rocker type shape.

BUT, you're not building a show car, you're building a pretty race car so I'd say you're on the right track for you're intended purposes. I'd say the rocker area looks about the right size. I'd play with giving them a few degrees outward pitch, possibly twisting out more from the front to the rear tires. I'd also consider a small bevel on the bottom.

On the rear quarters, I'd consider making a little shorter for astetics & ground clearance on sloped surfaces. I'd take 1/2" off front & about 1 1/2" off the rear, which would give a little more factory like shape, but still be a sizeable extension. I think a small bevel on the bottoms of the quarter extension could also help with looks.

Just a few experienced opinions to help you think. Though not quite what you're doing or for the same purposes, check out my lower body extensions I made last year from 18 ga paintgrip sheetmetal. I let Ford Sheetmetal bend most of it to my specs, since I didn't have access to the needed equipment nearby at the time.
Here's one link to my project.http://gbodyforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=41247#.U4fReyxOWJA Just food for thought, though different than what you're doing.

[lucky13firebird]

Eh, I can see the need I guess. Leave em black, don't extend the rockers... or the car will look like the new challengers. Bloated and ugly... like a pregnant cat or dog... But keeping it black will seperate the body lines and look Decent while getting the job done.

[sccacuda]

Thanks guys. This is only a ROUGH mockup.

All of these parts will be flat black and match the shaker and tail panel.

I set this ride height so the car can have a totally flat belly pan. This pan will extend out the front to create a splitter, and past the rocker extensions to make the side splitters. The rear pan curves up flush to the valance, which is flush with the bumper, to allow air from under the car to join back to the deck spoiler. The diffuser "spill plates" keeps that air from trying to roll up the rear quarters. The bumperettes will have a V edge where they meet the holes in the valance, and be about 1" off to allow the air above the pan to exhaust out the back in a hopeful low pressure area. The rocker extensions will also have vanes in the sides to exhaust air from above the pan as well as an exhaust exit.

The front gets a valance and probably AAR style fender spoilers to get the air around the front tires and create a little more front pressure.

My wife hates the rear panels, so I'll probably make them bolt on and off. The rocker panels are pretty much set do to the belly pan, but I do have a inch or so to play with. And no, this was never intended to be a show car.

This will all be functional. I'm hoping to run 260-ish at Bonneville and 210 or so in the Monster Mile. Will also track the car. Most of these do-dads are worthless on an autocross, but functional on a road coarse, and of course higher speed runs.

I've calculated my stock CD at .38. The stock body has 440 lbs. of lift, 125 lbs. of rear down force and 325 lbs of drag. This numbers don't lend themselves to high speed stability, especially the front. All these parts are just large band-aids to help an aerodynamically challenged 'Cuda. Remember the "Super 'Cuda" by Legend? That car was stupid unstable at 200.

I do plan on a trip to A2's wind tunnel to fine tune some of this, but relying on a few people with Aero-Know-How to get me in the ball park.

[jlcustomz]

As part of your aero package, are you doing some sort (s) of hood extractor vents?

I still think if the rear section was a little smaller, mainly more angled up, it would still do it's intended function & get a better wife approval rating.

Would love to see your finished product at a local Saturday nite meet one day. Not too many people around here would have anything on you.

[silvermonte]

I dont know jack about the exact science behind the aero needed, but I do know what you are trying to aim for and I say you are right on target and looks great also. In a perfect world if you could make the rear part a bolt on/off part that would be handy. I dont think many people will notice the part under the door but the part in the rear people may notice, even tho I dig the look.

[ADiCarlo]

I'm assuming this is your final ride height. The purpose of the side skirts is to guide turbulent away from going under the car and lifting it up so I understand that. But the purpose of a rear diffuser is to guide the air and disrupt the turbulent affects of air going from a high pressure to low pressure flow (under the car to out the back).

Understanding this i would focus on tucking the rear diffuser under the gas tank with venting/canards to guide the air back into the atmosphere and not solely on continuing the skirt out the back. I would also devise some sore of front air damn that guides/minimize flow.

[benno505]

as a mopar guy I think it looks disgusting, a bit TOO much, maybe a little less would look better, no offense intended

[jaybee]

I'd make the spill plates match the profile of the fenders. As big as they are they should still be effective.

[sccacuda]

as a mopar guy I think it looks disgusting, a bit TOO much, maybe a little less would look better, no offense intended

I know I ask for opinions, but disgusting is pretty harsh. Greasy pork sandwich served in a dirty ashtray, now that's disgusting…maybe astetically unpleasant? I'm good with even yuk or ugly.

The rockers stay. That is the belly pan bottom. The diffuser plates, I'll play with the shape in the wind tunnel. If I can get them small enough and still be effective, they'll stay. If I can't, they will bolt on and off.

At the end of the day, I'll sacrifice drag for cosmetics, but not stability.

[sccacuda]

I'm assuming this is your final ride height. The purpose of the side skirts is to guide turbulent away from going under the car and lifting it up so I understand that. But the purpose of a rear diffuser is to guide the air and disrupt the turbulent affects of air going from a high pressure to low pressure flow (under the car to out the back).

Understanding this i would focus on tucking the rear diffuser under the gas tank with venting/canards to guide the air back into the atmosphere and not solely on continuing the skirt out the back. I would also devise some sore of front air damn that guides/minimize flow.

The diffuser plates keep the air from under the rear of the car from rolling out and up the quarters, disrupting flow along the body and creating turbulence. It also keeps air from wanting to tuck under from the side and lift the rear. The placement is important, and the edge of the quarter is where they need to be on my areodynamically challenged 'Cuda. Going to work on making them less intrusive, but only playing with the shapes in the tunnel will tell the story.

[Steve Chryssos]

I like it. Please proceed.
Steve

[Munssey]

Many different ways to go about what you're doing there. If the rest of the car was unfinished, I'd strongly suggest making what looks like extended rockers & having them start out under the door bottom , keeping a rocker type shape.

BUT, you're not building a show car, you're building a pretty race car so I'd say you're on the right track for you're intended purposes. I'd say the rocker area looks about the right size. I'd play with giving them a few degrees outward pitch, possibly twisting out more from the front to the rear tires. I'd also consider a small bevel on the bottom.

On the rear quarters, I'd consider making a little shorter for astetics & ground clearance on sloped surfaces. I'd take 1/2" off front & about 1 1/2" off the rear, which would give a little more factory like shape, but still be a sizeable extension. I think a small bevel on the bottoms of the quarter extension could also help with looks.

Just a few experienced opinions to help you think. Though not quite what you're doing or for the same purposes, check out my lower body extensions I made last year from 18 ga paintgrip sheetmetal. I let Ford Sheetmetal bend most of it to my specs, since I didn't have access to the needed equipment nearby at the time.
Here's one link to my project.http://gbodyforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=41247#.U4fReyxOWJA Just food for thought, though different than what you're doing.

I second this. At some point, you have to compromise between function and style so you seem to be going down the right path.

[Bonehead]

I HATE it. How DARE you. Its simply awful.

I'll be by soon to take it off your hands.....:firefire:

[benno505]

sorry i should of worded that differently, the idea sounds great the look makes it look like a 1st gen camaro that has had the 70s-80s rod treatment.
I am sure it will look nice once it is complete

[bergers59]

The one in the rear looks too out of place, however I don't have many other ideas on how to do it. I agree with leaving them black. I assume you're doing it for aerodynamic benefits, I guess my question is do the benefits outweigh the nuisance of building them/the looks?

[sccacuda]

Thanks guys. Some good suggestions and ideas. I threw this together to get a look and promptly had two people come through the shop and one liked it and one hated it. Seems to be the trend here as well. Just wanted to get the temperature of a dedicated PT crowd.


I don't really have a choice about adding these parts because of the cars intended purpose. All I can do is make them as subtle as possible, i.e. blacking them out, changing shapes, etc.. I'm probably more upset about adding roof rails and windshield tabs than whats hanging below the rockers.

I've let it sit on the lift for a week now to see if I'll warm up to it. I've come to the conclusion that it looks better than a pile of waded up sheet metal from flipping it on the salt flats…something about form follows function.

[jlcustomz]

If you got a 50% like / hate ratio in person from some taped on cardboard sprayed black attached to a mirror finished classic body style, then a few enhancing changes into real metal can only get better opinions.

The average person doesn't have the vision to really see what a finished product will look like from rough prototype anyways.

After looking at the pics for over a week myself I'm sticking with my opinion of a few subtly changes to your rough draft. From that most of the high speed stability will be up to what you do under there that most people will never see anyways. Saw a small clip of the super cuda sliding sideways in a commercial the other day, looks like you're doing an important part of the project here. Function over all form = cleaner underwear.:headbang:

[dontlifttoshift]

I like it. Please proceed.
Steve

this