Quote:
Originally Posted by F-1 Si
Keep in mind that there is alot of "Dirty Air" at the front of most automobiles. Most Manufactures use the very front of autos due to packaging reasons. Example  pen the hood of most newer cars including your civic and you'll notice that a good portion of your engine is pushed back into the cowl area. Now look at a 94 Integra and look where the engine is. Most manufacturers have $$ in mind when they build cars and are willing to cut corners to keep the cost down. |
Thank you Peter. I appreciate that because those are my exact sentiments. People need to remember that packaging often has priority over efficiency.
Your comment about "dirty air" is right on for two reasons:
First, the air literally is dirtier at the bottom of the bumper intake than at the cowl area. Dirt and dust are easily sucked up in this area. Driving on a dusty, dirty road will attest to that.
Second, the air at the lower front of the car is aerodynamically "dirtier" than the cowl area. The reason being has to do with the condition of the air hitting the front of a car. That air is not smooth or controlled. I liken it to a boat hitting a wave on a lake. Once the air is directed over the front of the car and backwards, the air becomes smoother due to the boundary layer that is created by laminar flow. I liken this to being in a boat following another boat. The first boat creates wakes which smooth out the water for the second boat.
If anyone has every watched auto racing, they will all talk about "dirty air" whether in NASCAR or Formula 1. Unless there is a car directly in front of the car in question where an aerodynamic tow is created, the air slapping the front of a car running alone causes the air to tumble as it buffets the front end of the car. Once the air hits the front of the car, it then is redirected over the upper and the lower parts of the car. That air going over the upper portion is smoother and more controlled due to laminar flow.
I wonder what would happen if I knew Gordon Murray and asked him to design me an air induction box tapped into the cowl area? I have this picture of this gorgeously sculpted carbon fiber box ducted to the cowl, all F1 tech and all. I know he would come up with something fantastic.