Underpanel Mods -- Any serious impact on mpg?
#1
Underpanel Mods -- Any serious impact on mpg?
Hi folks,
Does anyone have any substantial evidence that the underpanel mods can significantly improve mpg?
I've read here that people had seen some better mpgs (or MsPG, I guess) from the Beatrush front underpanel, and several fit freaks suggested or attempted mods to the rear underside of their cars after imagining that the car's rear bumper on the underside acts like a pair of giant air scoops. Does anyone have long-term data suggesting that 1) the front Beatrush panel does improve MPG significantly (like more than 1 mpg?) and 2) do rear underpanel mods do anything at all? I wonder if perhaps on the rear undercarriage air flows mostly straight out between the wheels and does not get "tangled up" in the rear bumper as we suspect. I agree that the bumper looks aerodynamically "dirty" underneath, but then wind tunnel results are often quite different than what "looks" to be the case.
Does anyone have any substantial evidence that the underpanel mods can significantly improve mpg?
I've read here that people had seen some better mpgs (or MsPG, I guess) from the Beatrush front underpanel, and several fit freaks suggested or attempted mods to the rear underside of their cars after imagining that the car's rear bumper on the underside acts like a pair of giant air scoops. Does anyone have long-term data suggesting that 1) the front Beatrush panel does improve MPG significantly (like more than 1 mpg?) and 2) do rear underpanel mods do anything at all? I wonder if perhaps on the rear undercarriage air flows mostly straight out between the wheels and does not get "tangled up" in the rear bumper as we suspect. I agree that the bumper looks aerodynamically "dirty" underneath, but then wind tunnel results are often quite different than what "looks" to be the case.
Last edited by moorefitloving; 09-16-2010 at 12:35 AM.
#2
Those are two good questions!..that I don't have the answers to but, in my humble opinion it would appear that the ride height of the vehicle would make a substantial difference. The higher it is the more turbulence it will take on and the panel (may) make a the mpg better, however; if the the car lowered closer to the ground the less air will pass through the under carriage. I would be very surprised to find that the rear bumper drag would save any significant mpg with the panel.
#3
The biggest improvement that as been reported is a more stable ride, and a slight increase in mpg's... it also keeps the engine bay cooler, so you can expect a little more pull on hot days... as for the back, i think apexanimal did some tests and it came out that the air flowed very well in the back... i fear that putting something there might make things worst...
#4
The biggest improvement that as been reported is a more stable ride, and a slight increase in mpg's... it also keeps the engine bay cooler, so you can expect a little more pull on hot days... as for the back, i think apexanimal did some tests and it came out that the air flowed very well in the back... i fear that putting something there might make things worst...
https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/fit-...long-post.html
Unfortunately it looks like some of the thread's posters got a bit cheeky.
Last edited by moorefitloving; 09-16-2010 at 02:39 PM.
#6
btw, this winter i will start to think about a homemade underpanel... if i see that it's something profitable i will definitly make a DIY... the biggest challenge so far are the slits, but i might try to find something like hood vents and fit them on the panel... so stay tuned!
#7
btw, this winter i will start to think about a homemade underpanel... if i see that it's something profitable i will definitly make a DIY... the biggest challenge so far are the slits, but i might try to find something like hood vents and fit them on the panel... so stay tuned!
#8
i tought about that, but beatrush uses 2mm aluminium, so i don't know how well that would go... i've seen someone on turbomiata putting corvette hood vents on his hood... that's waht gave me the idea... anyways, i will probably be doing a lot of testing this winter to see what's best...
#9
This is an interesting thread about the underpanels especially about the rear one. I have the Beat rush and I love it!
I'll be keeping an eye on this for the rear under panel.
Now just a question, what have you thought about using for the panel? Aluminum? Coroplast?
I'll be keeping an eye on this for the rear under panel.
Now just a question, what have you thought about using for the panel? Aluminum? Coroplast?
#10
I was thinking about aluminium, but honestly i still have'nt checked for availabiltity or pricing... i will probably make protoypes out of cheap materials to start with... and if aluminium does'nt do, i know a great local plastic company, and i've done buisinness with them quite a few times
#14
Still have'nt made anything for the front yet, i crawled under the car while doing a few things, and checked quickly... but for the rear i don't think i'll put something, a friend of mine made a full underpanel, and the bumper was acting like a parachute in the back... i tought about coating the inside of the panel with bumper undercoater, it might make a little less noise and help with heat transfer...
#15
Well, i've looked at prices on Mcmaster and so far, it seems that a sheet of aluminium would start at around 70$ (48" x 48") a bit pricey for homemade, but i think it might cover more surface than beatrush... As for the vents, i've seen some air duct grills that would be a good option... only thing is they're pretty thin. I'm not too familiar with material compability, I know that steel and aluminium can't be welded together, but do they corrode together? would there be an issue with these two in direct contact???
Stay tuned, for perhaps a cheap beatrush underpanel
Stay tuned, for perhaps a cheap beatrush underpanel
#16
Great
Awesome, I was thinking of hitting up a local scrap yard/ recyclers to get some large sheets of aluminum. Let me know if you get some measurements from the rear.
If you want some measurements of my front Beatrush panel, let me know and when I do my oil change, I'll get some measurements for you.
If you want some measurements of my front Beatrush panel, let me know and when I do my oil change, I'll get some measurements for you.