I would expect the actual aerodynamic differences to be marginal. I would also expect the "outties" to collect more rock chips, since they, errrr... stick out, while the others are recessed. It's why I went with the "innies" on my car.
Fiero Warehouse IMSA scoops
------------------ Raydar 88 Formula IMSA Fastback. 4.9, NVG T550 Praise the Lowered!
[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 04-07-2015).]
I started with an In scoop also.... I really like the style and function. With the engine just sucking in that cold air.. Works great! But eventually I want to run a super charger in the a/c area, intercooled in the same location as the cold air. With that said, the intercooler doesn't suck the air in anymore and I feel the in-scoop won't help the intercooler be if at all functional. It became a project in the garage here's what I came up with.. I plan to paint them sencolor as the car...when they get done
And that was one of the reasons Fieros didn't have them. Sure, you can put protective film on them (now), but back in the the day, they just got chipped up.
(BTW, have you thought about that 3M clear protective film for the leading edge?)
I started with an In scoop also.... I really like the style and function. With the engine just sucking in that cold air.. Works great! But eventually I want to run a super charger in the a/c area, intercooled in the same location as the cold air. With that said, the intercooler doesn't suck the air in anymore and I feel the in-scoop won't help the intercooler be if at all functional. It became a project in the garage here's what I came up with.. I plan to paint them sencolor as the car...when they get done
Your problem is that you have the IC and the air filter in the same location, and so they are fighting over the air flow in that area. This will result in flow disturbance in the area, resulting in less air going through the IC, as the intake has a vacuum pulling it in. Installing the IC on the passenger side (or somewhere else) will have much better results. You might also consider a small fan to pull air through the IC.
Originally posted by randye: Considering the average legal road speeds a Fiero sees, I don't think either style seriously matters at all.
It depends on what your goals are I guess. Certain styles will create a fair bit of drag, even with the inset vents, as you're adding an intake on the passenger side, where one previously wasn't. If the flow is not properly managed, it can create a significant increase in drag, which will mean a loss of fuel economy.
Any kind of side scoop will spoil airflow across the side of the car, thereby increasing aero drag. Also, the air drawn in by the scoop eventually makes its way into the engine compartment (unless it's sealed off, like the stock air intake). That flow of air from the outside into the engine compartment will increase the static air pressure in the engine compartment, which will generate lift.
That said, the aero effects from the side scoops will probably be minor. So unless your Fiero is a race car or a hypermiler, it probably won't matter much.
But since you're asking about aerodynamics, maybe it does matter to you. I know I'm pretty "anal retentive" about such things. So when I decided to add an engine oil cooler, I didn't use a side scoop. Instead, I put the oil cooler in the decklid grate, with an exhaust fan. It works great, and doesn't spoil the car's aerodynamics. Just FYI.
I think you'll actually get more air flow when moving, buy mounting a rear facing scoop. The air flow forward from the spoiler is substantial. It bucks up against the air coming out of the rear vents, with lots of turbulence at the back window. Looks-wize I'd go with the inset side scoop, however, that air flow will be stalled at the deck vents. Cost wise, a six pack scoop on the deck is cheaper and more effective.
[This message has been edited by Arns85GT (edited 04-08-2015).]
Originally posted by Arns85GT: I think you'll actually get more air flow when moving, buy mounting a rear facing scoop. The air flow forward from the spoiler is substantial. It bucks up against the air coming out of the rear vents, with lots of turbulence at the back window. Looks-wize I'd go with the inset side scoop, however, that air flow will be stalled at the deck vents. Cost wise, a six pack scoop on the deck is cheaper and more effective.
This is exactly the kind of air flow that you DO NOT WANT. The forward air flow over the decklid is more substantial without the spoiler. The point of the spoiler is to break that up and force more air to break off the rear of the car. A rear facing scoop on the declkid should be used as an air exhaust, not an air intake.
The air flow from side vent intakes at the quarter panels is not "stalled at the deck vents" at all. It is either trapped in the inner fender, or depending on the functional purpose of the intakes, should be properly routed elsewhere. It could be routed upward to exit out the decklid vents, and possibly help cool the engine bay, but this would increase the flow out of the vents, and not create additional stalling; or it could be routed to the rear and kept low, with the air being used to help cool the brakes, or the oil pan or transmission, and then pushed out the rear, under the car.
If you're worried about cost, the cheapest thing is to do nothing. The stock air intake routes air through the engine, and it doesn't change the aerodynamics of the car from factory at all. If you care about aerodynamics, fuel economy, etc… and are intending to maximize economy or handling, then you really need to not be too worried about cost, and pay more attention to the engineering, packaging, and other problems that will be presented with trying to get the best aero possible out of the Fiero. If you have a fastback car, and want a massive aerodynamic improvement in the rear of the car, then you're going to most likely be installing a hatch, which is going to be a bit costly.
Your problem is that you have the IC and the air filter in the same location, and so they are fighting over the air flow in that area. This will result in flow disturbance in the area, resulting in less air going through the IC, as the intake has a vacuum pulling it in. Installing the IC on the passenger side (or somewhere else) will have much better results. You might also consider a small fan to pull air through the IC.
I understand... And was actually thinking to put a miniature fan on the IC also... On the passenger, I already have a B&M oil cooler with a fan taking up the space.. Even if the intake is next to the IC, just the flow/turbulance around it will cool it some... Better that compressed air temp thinking.. We'll see how things come out in the end...
Because of the drag.. I plan to sand it down more so the scoop doesn't protrude out so much when done...
Here a pic of my oil cooler....oh.. And a new mod for cooling. (I don't drive this car in the rain) just sayin.. This is off an 84 deck lid
And then the oil cooler pic... I welded up a bracket to make it work there
[This message has been edited by unboundmo (edited 04-08-2015).]
This is exactly the kind of air flow that you DO NOT WANT. The forward air flow over the decklid is more substantial without the spoiler. The point of the spoiler is to break that up and force more air to break off the rear of the car. A rear facing scoop on the declkid should be used as an air exhaust, not an air
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I have to disagree with you Dobey. I've done extensive testing. The rear facing scoop only exhausts at very low speed. Whether you have the stock wing or a spoiler, as soon as you are up to about 30 mph the forward air movement across the deck lid forces air in the scoop, and it ceases to be an exhaust scoop. The deck lid exhaust vents, when on the highway have an air flow that is about 4" wide and 2" high and exits out the sides. They cannot generate enough air pressure to offset the force of the air coming forward toward the rear window. If you don't believe me, cut about 30 - 4" ribbon strips and tape them to the edges of the deck lid and the vents, as well as the roof trailing edge. You will quickly see that what I am saying is true. Any deck lid scoop has to function as an intake when at speed.
You are right that the wing was designed to cut turbulence on the trailing edge and smooth air flow. This is well established. However, the air moves under the wing and forward when under way. I have a pic somewhere of what it looks like if you have a wet deck lid and drive down a dirt road. It displays the air movement really well. I'll try to find it.
Originally posted by Arns85GT: I have to disagree with you Dobey. I've done extensive testing. The rear facing scoop only exhausts at very low speed. Whether you have the stock wing or a spoiler, as soon as you are up to about 30 mph the forward air movement across the deck lid forces air in the scoop, and it ceases to be an exhaust scoop. The deck lid exhaust vents, when on the highway have an air flow that is about 4" wide and 2" high and exits out the sides. They cannot generate enough air pressure to offset the force of the air coming forward toward the rear window. If you don't believe me, cut about 30 - 4" ribbon strips and tape them to the edges of the deck lid and the vents, as well as the roof trailing edge. You will quickly see that what I am saying is true. Any deck lid scoop has to function as an intake when at speed.
You are right that the wing was designed to cut turbulence on the trailing edge and smooth air flow. This is well established. However, the air moves under the wing and forward when under way. I have a pic somewhere of what it looks like if you have a wet deck lid and drive down a dirt road. It displays the air movement really well. I'll try to find it.
Your rear facing scoop is also likely too big. You may not have fixed any of the other problems with air flow at the rear of the car, and thus have more reversed air flow that is forcing air into the scoop, rather than helping to extract it out. Having air flow into the engine bay in that manner will only serve to increase pressure in the engine bay, and reduce downforce. This effect is also worse on the notch backs. The trailing edge for the fastback sails is much further back, and you do not get as much air wrapping around the sides over top of the rear wheels.
You can disagree all you want. The question was about aero related to side scoops. You're suggesting the use of a decklid scoop to get more air flow. The goal isn't necessarily to just get more air flowing into the engine bay. And given that aero was mentioned in the question of comparing side scoops, one must presume a modicum of care on the matter, for the OP. If you don't care about aero at all, then sure, maybe a huge shaker scoop on the decklid will be OK for you. But if you care about aero, then you need to understand better how things would best function at the rear of the car, and having a rear facing scoop on the decklid as an intake, is the wrong solution. The point of vents on the decklid (and indeed the stock vents) is to vent hot air upward and out of the engine bay; not to serve as an intake for hot air. Thus one also needs to either fix the other aero problems at the rear of the car, or take care when adding other modifications, so as to not make the aero worse.
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here's what I came up with.. I plan to paint them sencolor as the car...when they get done
