Aerodynamic attributes of Side Skirts

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The Downforce Ducted "Stacy Style" Side Skirts looks very aggressive.

I am curious/concerned how this will effect stability of the car and has any test's been conducted to support any positive attributes of these kits? Will this require rear valence and front chin spoiler to counter drag/lift if any?

Thanks
 
No one knows. I don't think Stacey had a wind tunnel to see what the effects of his skirts are going to be. Whatever effect it has, its probably negligible under 100 MPH. If you are doing racing at speeds high enough and are such a good driver that you are worried about lift and downforce, then I would say don't do it. These things are for looks not performance.
 
The aerodynamic function of side skirts in a race context is to prevent high pressure air around the car from disturbing the integrity of low pressure air running underneath the car.

It is not going to make any measurable difference on the vast majority of otherwise stock production cars, particularly with the way the stock aerodynamics are setup using alternate design goals.

Assuming you had the other necessary aero aids.. and ride height and suspension were set-up properly for full race... and installation was done properly... sure, then ideally, you want a rigid, lightweight, rocker designed with a horizontal leading edge, most significantly extending down as low as allowable...

As I recall Stacy's is similar to the Marga design, so you'll further need to terminate the vent to a duct and brake hose (and do something useful with it), or you'll simply be adding further unnecessary drag.
 
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The aerodynamic function of side skirts in a race context is to prevent high pressure air around the car from disturbing the integrity of low pressure air running underneath the car.

It is not going to make any measurable difference on the vast majority of otherwise stock production cars, particularly with the way the stock aerodynamics are setup using alternate design goals.

Assuming you had the other necessary aero aids.. and ride height and suspension were set-up properly for full race... and installation was done properly... sure, then ideally, you want a rigid, lightweight, rocker designed with a horizontal leading edge, most significantly extending down as low as allowable...

As I recall Stacy's is similar to the Marga design, so you'll further need to terminate the vent to a duct and brake hose (and do something useful with it), or you'll simply be adding further unnecessary drag.


Wow no function besides looks are there any kits offered with similar look that has hole in the duct to channel the flow of air into the brake's to produce cooling/less drag? What kit is on your car John?
 
Wow no function besides looks are there any kits offered with similar look that has hole in the duct to channel the flow of air into the brake's to produce cooling/less drag? What kit is on your car John?
Most side skirts do channel some air into the duct, but they don't go anywhere but the rear tire. You need brake ducting ducted to the caliper and rotor to get proper cooling.

Maybe someone like John would benefit from this. 99.9% of people here on prime would not need to cool their rear brakes (including almost all track-driven NSXs)
 
Wow no function besides looks are there any kits offered with similar look that has hole in the duct to channel the flow of air into the brake's to produce cooling/less drag? What kit is on your car John?

Umm, sure if you want rear brake ducts I can help you with that now- in case you ever check into a four hour endurance race or whatever then at least you're rear brakes will be covered. :tongue:

This is something that requires garage DIY work thou. I was actually working on a new set now that I got Dave's kit on.

So, here's what I did. I just picked up a pair of rectangular plastic ducts from HRP World that terminates to a standard 3" adapter. I tapped some holes near where the body vent (with the little flap) used to be and put some 1/4"-20 riv nuts in. This gave me a way to affix my bracket, so that I could mount the duct to the chassis in a position whereas it perfectly covers the hole of my Kawagen side skirt when in place. That way, I can take off the side skirt independently of the duct work (my skirt is fixed in place by the under pan) should I damage it without having to finaggle with a hose clamp.

I then routed a 3" X 4' section of 500F aeroduct brake hose to the rear caliper. For a rear shroud, it is going to depend on what size rotors you are using.

So here is a trick I came up with for the shroud.

For the stock calipers.. you can take the stock metal shroud, and coat it with a layer of release wax, then use the inner side as your mold. Throw a layer of fiberglass mat or blingy carbon on there.. and viola... just a cut a hole and put a little flange on and you have a perfectly fitting shroud with OEM attachment points.

You'll now have a way of having the airflow move evenly across the surface of the rotor... and another advantage here is that composite materials are thermally inert so unlike the metal debris shroud, they won't absorb or radiate the energy. If you really wanted to go ape-crazy you could even put some blowers in-line.

The consensus is that a well maintained set of NA2 calipers with some really good race pads and good ducting performs remarkably well, especially if you put your ride on a diet.
 
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Umm, sure if you want rear brake ducts I can help you with that now- in case you ever check into a four hour endurance race or whatever then at least you're rear brakes will be covered. :tongue:

This is something that requires garage DIY work thou. I was actually working on a new set now that I got Dave's kit on.

So, here's what I did. I just picked up a pair of rectangular plastic ducts from HRP World that terminates to a standard 3" adapter. I tapped some holes near where the body vent (with the little flap) used to be and put some 1/4"-20 riv nuts in. This gave me a way to affix my bracket, so that I could mount the duct to the chassis in a position whereas it perfectly covers the hole of my Kawagen side skirt when in place. That way, I can take off the side skirt independently of the duct work (my skirt is fixed in place by the under pan) should I damage it without having to finaggle with a hose clamp.

I then routed a 3" X 4' section of 500F aeroduct brake hose to the rear caliper. For a rear shroud, it is going to depend on what size rotors you are using.

So here is a trick I came up with for the shroud.

For the stock calipers.. you can take the stock metal shroud, and coat it with a layer of release wax, then use the inner side as your mold. Throw a layer of fiberglass mat or blingy carbon on there.. and viola... just a cut a hole and put a little flange on and you have a perfectly fitting shroud with OEM attachment points.

You'll now have a way of having the airflow move evenly across the surface of the rotor... and another advantage here is that composite materials are thermally inert so unlike the metal debris shroud, they won't absorb or radiate the energy. If you really wanted to go ape-crazy you could even put some blowers in-line.

The consensus is that a well maintained set of NA2 calipers with some really good race pads and good ducting performs remarkably well, especially if you put your ride on a diet.

John this is a beautiful write up. Since I have no plans on tracking the car I could not justify any aesthetic upgrade with zero purpose I now have a valid reason to purchase and modify the Stacy skirts "form over function". The plastic ducts and aeroduct brake hose saves alot of time. I am for any measure to insure safety and longevity of the brakes especially when their is opportunity to make a beautiful car even more special.

Moderators please wiki this.
 
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Moderators please wiki this.
The whole point of a wiki is that anyone (including yourself) may contribute...

Have ever looked at an NSX FAQ entry and wished it were updated? Did you ever think of a topic missing from the FAQ? Do you have a great write-up on a modification or "do it yourself" project that might be of interest to others? The NSX Wiki needs you!
 
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