Help with aerodynamics

[WItoTX]

AJ stuff is light, I wouldn't worry about weight. I can't speak for Versus.

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[Vell !]

Let’s say I’m not going for hardcore track aero, would front splitters from American muscle do a similar job ?

 

[Cobra Jet]

Let’s say I’m not going for hardcore track aero, would front splitters from American muscle do a similar job ?

Here’s my thoughts for you seeing what you have posted so far, it it can be applied to others using their S550’s in a similar manner.

A factory front splitter and a rear spoiler on ANY daily driver will not serve any real purpose on a vehicle that is say driven in stints… meaning you’re going from your house to a store, a fueling station or a few miles away for XYZ reasons. They won’t serve any beneficial purpose with speeds of 65mph or under when taking into consideration your vehicle isn’t the only one on the road.

The only time front splitters, rear spoilers/wings OR even the lower rear valance mods will benefit an S550 is if the vehicle is being used for track use where speeds are in excess of highway speeds maintained at high rpms for EITHER prolonged periods of time such as road racing/auto cross OR very fast short periods of time such as highly modified drag racing.

If the car is being used just as a daily where the above is NOT applicable, then all the parts serve as is a visual modification, period. So if you’re spending $400-$800+ on such aerodynamic pieces and the car is not ever going to see such sustainment as far as speed/rpm, IMO you could have used that $400-$800+ elsewhere where you can get actual gains and/or benefit from the mod on a daily driver.

There’s all sorts of aerodynamic info online and how A, B , C or D is applied to a moving vehicle - at at XYZ intervals, speed (MPH) or RPM.

The S550 GT PP2, the Shelby GT350/350R/500 and the Mach 1 are Ford’s vehicles that were designed not only for the public to drive as a car, but the intent is the vehicle was designed as an out of the box track purpose vehicle with such splitters, spoilers, etc. where when running at sustained speeds/rpm those parts WILL have a functional purpose while on a track. If those type of vehicles aren’t being used on/at a track, and just for driving around town, then again the parts really serve no other purpose than a visual mod.

Another thing to keep in mind too is down draft forces and distance between your vehicle and any vehicle in front. Aerodynamics and down force changes when the distance between Car A and Car B is either increased or decreased - this changes the aerodynamics of airflow in and around your vehicle. The type of hood (vented/non-vented or cowl/non-cowl), front nose cone openings, front splitter, rear spoiler/wing, rear valance AND vehicle ride height all play into what happens with airflow and down force on a vehicle.

For me - and this may apply to others - if the intent is form AND function, determine how the car will be used and how often will it be used as such before plunking down hundreds of $$$$ on parts.. Don’t buy ABC parts to throw on the car just because 100 other S550 owners did….

Spend the mod money wisely.

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