Applied Pantera Downforce Theory.
Doesn't the scientic principal say something like: get this idea, make a hypothesis (or theory), test it and see what happens? That's what I remember.
My 1973 Pantera with only a 1984 Euro GTS spoiler up front is telling me do some tests. First, get a bunch of manometers, or just a bunch of clear tubes taped or twist tied onto a foamboard, with markings every two inches in black marks a lot and food colored water. Film it with a stationary video camera pointed at the labeled manometers and call out the speed to the camera. The measurement locations will be the engine compartment hi (by air cleaner inlet) and low (by lower front pulley), and by the rear wheels. The wheel air pressures will be at the front part of wheel and rear part of wheel, both sides, 4 measurement points. So, it looks like a baseline is going to be established for what the air is doing back there. This will be an experiment to take guess work out of any bolt-on ground effects device.
The first proposed design is the most basic. A about a foot and a half wide panel that goes from just behind the rear inboard seat mounting bolts, all the way back to the rear frame cross member where the anti-roll bar is attached. Then measurements with the manometers, and sample points will be done in a controlled environment (sanctioned event).
The progression of designs may be enlarged to go wider. I'm thinking no wider than the rear tires, so if it ever flew off, it would pass under the car without cutting the tires. Then some improvements can be made, as an overall progression of underbody downforce theory is applied, tested and measured. The theories, I'll repeat are twofold. First the 'inverted airflow' airlpane wing theory. Second the laboratory water faucet vacuum device theory.
So, refinements in design, and R&D, say that making the underbody channel that encases the
water tubes, is a natural vacuum generator. It can be made more efficient if it is sealed off in a cupped kind of way, like if the car was flipped upside down, it would hold the maximum water without spilling, all the way around. So, seal up the front and rear, or make two vacuum volumes, to see what works best. All around the underside, it's make it smooth, and continuous front to rear and make vauum cups where feasible. The same theorys can be made into options regarding the back side of the radiator. It can be exhausted out the top of the front hood or made into a vacuum chamber like the water tube tunnel. Some of these applications of design may not be so easy to make and install and may not have the greatest impact in performance enhancement, but it's just experimenting to see what works best. Learning is fun, right?
Testing is fun, too. Testing will be done in a stepwise fashion, too. The first constant is ground clearance. No problem. It's about 3" or so off the ground now. So the amplification of ground effect will be not much. I expect modest changes in readings at freeway speeds. Readings will be amplified twofold, increasing to higher speeds and lowering of the chassis both increase downforce. Later experiments for later days. Speed variable at first, ground clearance variable later.
I think it may cost some money to have everything installed by a body shop, welder, machinist, or mechanic, but it's a coming technology, and I think all motor companies are taking a look at it currently, as are all racing enthusiasts all over the world. So, maybe things change for the better.
Take note, I assume no responsibility for anyone else's actions but my own. The same goes for anyone else trying this stuff. Done right, it's going to be an advancement in performance, control, safety and thrill. Done wrong, can lead to irreversible consequences... Do it right, or wait for the technology to be developed and offered, that's what I think is good advice. There, I think I've protected myself from something obvious, but it's putting everyone on notice, and now we can proceed a little further with the fun factor. We'll wait and see what happens next.... For only a little while.
As always, visiting Professors are welcome, and questions from the class are permitted. It's everyone's duty to see that the instructor doesn't do something foolish,
