Ok so im new to the mustang scene but i have done some research. One thing i have noticed are all the popular s197 body kit companies making 2010+ versions of there kits, but how much of them actouly improve areodynamics? I know about Steeda, Roush, and Saleen being legit but has anyone seen any posts about the functionality of the kits from companies like 3D Carbon?

 

. . . . bump . . . .

I am also curious about this . . . the chin-splitters generally claim to redirect air around the car rather than under it to reduce lift but I don't know if they actually reduce total drag or increase it . . . my guess is that none of the body mods really make much difference to total drag, but I really don't know.

 

I dont know about aftermarket, but Ford is claiming 90 lbs of downforce at 140 mph with the spoiler and front lip on the Boss 302 Laguna Seca edition.

 

Its been a while since ive looked at that model but from what I remember it looks like the basic kit u get from Steeda. As I mentioned earlier im not too worried about the Ford warranty dealers (Steeda, Roush or Saleen) but its the others im wondering about. I know that the ford warranty dealers have there stuff backed by videos and I have seen them. Its the others im wondering about caise I think they look awsome and when i get back from Afghan if the videos prove it im putting one on.

 

I seriously doubt that ANY of the aftermarket body kits do anything good for aerodynamics.

Wind tunnels are few and far between and using them costs lots of $$$ that those aftermarket companies aren't going to spend.

Buy the kit for the looks if you like them but don't look for reduced drag from any of them.

 

Bah, ill just keep it stock, lower it an inch, and paint it flat black. It just screams win all around.

 

it's all looks... +1, these companies don't have air tunnels and research $ to make any difference... they sell whatever people will buy and whatever people "think" will make their car look faster or look better. I mean.... if they can sell cheezy hood pins... they can pretty much sell anything for a car.

 

Hey, hood pins arent ALWAYS cheesy. Steeda and other companies require them for their hoods.

 

No, hood pins on a street car are always cheezy, something every ricer needs.

 

^ I was a fan of he KR's- as they're pretty stealth.

 

AEROdynamics has two components of interest in cars: drag & lift/downforce.

Automakers are concerned mostly about drag because less drag equates to more mpg. Drag coefficient is optimized in the wind tunnel, which is expensive time to get. Total drag is a function of drag coefficient and projected frontal area. Automakers care about downforce mostly only in terms of limiting lift.

Racers are concerned more about downforce, but only to the point that it doesn't cut top speed by too much; so they're always looking for that best balance, which usually depends on the track, hence the adjustable splitters and wings, etc. Windtunnels are a tool here too, but so is time at the track, gathering empirical data on various adjustments. Appreciable downforce is usually only attained at speeds in excess of 100 mph.

I agree with the other posters that there is probably not much wind tunnel research done on the aftermarket stuff, but maybe there's track validation? A deeper chin spoiler will reduce the amount of air under the car and so will increase front axle downforce, but may or may not create a downforce imbalance or increase in drag. Maybe they mass-produce pieces which worked well on the track? I would trust guys like Roush here.

Still, the result is that for most of us driving under street conditions there will probably be a small increase in drag from the aftermarket stuff (more projected area) for an infinitestimal increase in downforce. In other words, it's mostly just to look cool.

 

You can check out this article on a car and it's aerodynamics. There's no specifics for the Mustang, but in terms of generalities it's very informative.
http://www.edmunds.com/advice/fuelec...4/article.html

 

Ya as i said this post isnt for those Steda, Roush, or Saleen lookers cause im 100% sure they check theres. Im personally just going to stick with stock, maby a chin splitter, but for th emost part stock with a flat black paint job. In the end it just screams sexy http://img808.imageshack.us/i/flatblack504.jpg/

 

That stang isn't painted... it's vinyl wrapped.
Which is a much better decision.

If you're going to go the flat black / matte route... I highly suggest it.




Reference:

 

At least with the wrap you can pull it off after you come to your senses...

 

One of my high school friends (late '70's) drove a '71 Nova that was almost 100% black primer and we chided him about it all the time. Looked very similar to the wrap above.

 

Sorry... maybe 99.9% of the time. I've only seen a few exceptions in my 42 years... and it was because it was an actual track car and the hood was of such inferior quality we wouldn't let them on the track unless they could prove the hood wouldn't come off and hit people behind them. Other than that... cars that go 180 mph don't even need hood pins... .they are like pasties on a fat chick... just gross if you ever accidently saw one.

I suggest every ricer get fart cans and hood pins!

 

Because steeda is such low quality right?

I agree, taking a stock, or almost stock car, and throwing hood pins on is cheesy and lame. But using hood-pins on a car that is actually decently modified and sees track time is not only not cheesy, but smart.

 

Evidently so... if they can't manufacture a hood that won't fly off at the track I wouldn't buy it... it is obviously for looks unless they are producing CRAP. So yes, cheezy.... but to each their own... I would expect the fart cans though for the complimentary looks.. one doesn't look right without the other.

 

Rice? And poorly made?