Improving Regal aerodynamics

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Clone TIE Pilot

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Thanks for saving me the $25 for the baffles then. Was thinking of buying repros for my car which never had them installed.
 

307 Regal

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Oct 21, 2009
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I'm glad I found this topic. I'll have to try and visualize some of this stuff and implement it.

Actually, I stumbled across this looking for mounting info on headlight covers. I'd like to make some but I don't know a good way to attach them.
 

UNGN

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The ones that were originally on my car when I bought it were held on with Velcro. I think the logic was since they were smoked, you could remove them at night. I just removed them permanently. I was making covers for the 2+2, but it went 172 mph without them on my first attempt thru a speed trap, so I didn't bother installing them. We then blocked off the upper grill and it went that speed with less throttle.

I would file to fit them and use a clear, rubber cementy type plastic glue like UHU por to semi permanently affix clear covers, then mask off all but about 1/4" around the cover's edge and paint the covers edges black to hide the glued areas.
 

307 Regal

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I guess I'd be okay with semi-permanent as long as I drill some holes to maintain access to the bezel screws. Polycarb should hold up to small impacts (big bugs / pebbles) and UV rays to a decent degree, shouldn't it?

Also, tell me if this is weird or over-thought for a budget idea: Would stretching screen door material across the face of the grille improve aerodynamics without totally blocking airflow? Apart from looking tacky, could it have any decent effects?
 

pontiacgp

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we would tape the grills of our sportsman and pro late model circle track cars for time trials. The only reason to tape the grills was to block the air which adds downforce so the car would be quicker through the corners. If taping the grill made the car faster down the straight all the drag cars would be taping their grills. The problem with these G body is the air coming in the cool the rad builds a high pressure area in the engine compartment with no way for the air to escape. You need to find a way to get rid of that air and that will make the car quicker.
 
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UNGN

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I guess I'd be okay with semi-permanent as long as I drill some holes to maintain access to the bezel screws. Polycarb should hold up to small impacts (big bugs / pebbles) and UV rays to a decent degree, shouldn't it?

Polycarbonate will hold up much better than regular acrylic plastic.

Also, tell me if this is weird or over-thought for a budget idea: Would stretching screen door material across the face of the grille improve aerodynamics without totally blocking airflow? Apart from looking tacky, could it have any decent effects?

From a lift standpoint, blocking off high has more benefits than blocking low. On a typical G-body, lift becomes a large contributor to drag as speeds increase. Assume that the screen blocks 1/2 the flow. It probably doesn't, but imagine a screen that does. Given the choice of reducing 1/2 the overall flow through the grill vs. blocking the top 1/2 of the grill (basically, each would have equal flow through the grill), I would pick blocking off the top 1/2 of the grill.

Doing this invisibly from behind is nearly as effective/efficient as a "smooth' cover or tape blocking it off from the front. If no air is going in, the air will find a relatively efficient way around. Trapping a little air is better than lots of air. If a thin external cover that doesn't really change the shape of the grill (like tape) is 100%, blocking from the rear could give you 85%-95% of the benifits.
 
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ck80

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I guess I'd be okay with semi-permanent as long as I drill some holes to maintain access to the bezel screws. Polycarb should hold up to small impacts (big bugs / pebbles) and UV rays to a decent degree, shouldn't it?

Not sure how dark of a cover you're looking at, but, those small holes make clean up a pita. Think of dust, dirt, and dirty rainwater getting in then being trapped from being cleaned. That will diminish the brightness of headlighys at night at the least, and if clear or low tint level, be an eyesore with all the gunk trapped behind.

I vote if you want to go semi permanent you replace all four bulbs, realign the lights, then seal it up without holes or openings for water to get in. Then in 7-8 years if maintenance is needed, drill your holes, remove bezels, replace those lenses when done.
 
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307 Regal

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Temptation has gotten the better of me:
IMG_3103.JPG
IMG_3099.JPG

Probably should have started smaller but I was too tempted to use the horizontal beam as an anchoring point. Reinstalled the core support deflector. Went for a moderate drive and the temp seems to hover between 180 and 190, so it's sort of "resting" on the fans right now (which kick on at 185).
 
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307 Regal

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Oct 21, 2009
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Northern Indiana
QUESTION SPAM

What's a good location for hood vents? On the sides? Over the center? Closer to the windshield? Or, if you can point me in a good direction to read up on it that would also be appreciated.

Speaking of trying to move hot air, I'm currently using an open element air box. (Any thoughts of air venting out is met with thoughts of being sucked in.) I'd like to make an intake but I have limited vertical space left for a smooth bend. Would a stock air box work better than this which changes direction suddenly? https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...MIj5LYi4u61QIVzZd-Ch1U6Qk6EAQYASABEgKRGvD_BwE

Edit: Evidently the word I'm looking for is "plenum." I've heard that some plenums are restrictive due to small size or design and that the carb needs to be able to draw air uniformly.
 
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