1G or 2G: aerodynamics

[PBFoot]

I haven't owned a DSM for about 3 years, but I'm thinking about buying another one for top speed, closed course racing activities of the salty persuasion. My question concerns aerodynamics, as what I'm considering does not allow body mods, just lowering.

I think the 2G has a slightly lower coefficient of drag, but also perhaps a slightly larger frontal area. I'd pull out my CD manual, but I'm in the midst of moving and am not sure I could find it if I tried. I'm also concerned about lift. Some of that could be helped with a bit of rake, perhaps.

I had a 2G, so I'm more familiar with that vehicle, but since I'm buying this car for competition purposes only, I'm thinking a 1G would be a less expensive starting point.

Interested in any helpful opinions, and thanks in advance.

PBFoot

 

[Elvenhome21]

It depends, I believe the 2g has a better front suspension then the 1g but also finding a 2g awd is next to impossible without dropping some big bucks on one. As far as Aero, It has more to do with the nose. Meaning buying aftermarket nose and adding as much ground effects as possible. Overall the Drift nose is the best for racing and aero, simply because you can add a chin and a valance (sturdy and wont fold under) pretty easy and it has a nice opening for air to get in the intercooler and radiator. Along with dropping the car as low to the ground as possible without messing up the geometry. Adding rake isn't as helpful as just dropping the car as much as you can. Less ground clearance is almost always better because it lowers Center of Gravity which reduces roll in a corner. Until you go to a track where you see speeds over 80 MPH consistently aero isn't the most important, having more downforce would be.

By salty persuasion are you meaning bonneville

 

[mavisky]

Look for a guy named Andrew Brilliant, he's got a ragtop salt flat 2g.

 

[Evan K.]

Andrew is a local and knows his stuff. Hit him up if you can.

 

[PBFoot]

Yes, Bonneville.

Evan, I assume you mean Andrew is local to Bonneville?

Not too concerned about corners, obviously, and only stock noses would be options--no add-ons. The limits to lowering the car would be 1) really adverse changes in suspension geometry that might cause instability at speed 2) the ability to run tires a bit larger in diameter that would change the gearing to allow a higher top speed. Air getting under the car is a bad thing for drag and for lift.

I had a 97 talon before, so I'm more familiar with that platform, but the low 1G prices sure are more attractive. 2Gs also have a larger variety of stock wings (probably all of them ineffective, but I don't know) that could be tried out.

 

[mavisky]

Andrew was recently mentioning noticing that the rear suspension was actually compressing at speed on his car, not sure what the front was doing, so the smoother 2g may be the best way to go, then again the aerodynamics of the front end of the 1g are a classic wedge shaped design and if you can dig up a 1990 model the factory even makes a lower lip for it that can of course reduce the amount of air sneaking underneath the vehicle.

 

[DSMunknown]

Look for a guy named Andrew Brilliant, he's got a ragtop salt flat 2g.

A quick search yeilded this site.

 

[Elvenhome21]

I am amazed that, that guy didn't have the upper radiator hose nipple rewelded more towards the passenger side.

 

[once_scorned]

I am amazed that, that guy didn't have the upper radiator hose nipple rewelded more towards the passenger side.

That photo is old, its a custom tigg welded SS pipe now That was a last minute throw together for a race day. I redid all the stuff in that area intake pipe, etc and the fuse box is relocated.

Dont bother with the RM front lip, it is not strong enough.

 

[Elvenhome21]

That was a last minute throw together for a race day.

Been there before.

THat must have been a non dsm specific radiator then Im guessing.

 

[once_scorned]

Been there before.

THat must have been a non dsm specific radiator then Im guessing.

Standard 2g fluidyne

 

[Elvenhome21]

Why would they make it so close to the header in the first place. Or why not at least put a little bit of angle to the passenger side.


But cool car.

 

[Evan K.]

With a stock or even Turbonetics manifold the upper rad pipe is not even close. It's just that manifold.

 

[Elvenhome21]

Ok, now that I look at it closer that is a monster header comparativly. Excuse me for not knowing a lot about 2g's specifics. They aren't very comon in my area and I have only seen under the hood of 2 or so 2g's. And what ever pictures you guys provide.

 

[Evan K.]

No problem. Up until recently i didn't know a damn thing about 1g's

Here's a few pics of my dirty ass engine.

 

[Elvenhome21]

That hose is still to close IMO. Granted I realize you have to be able to mount your fans but it would be nicer if it was slightly tapered at the minimum, or moved to where that blue wire is.

I think a taper would be the easiest way to get that extra 2 inchs of clearance for a normal pacsetter type header.

Is that how they run the o2 wire on the 1g from factory. My car came with a header on it so I don't know.

 

[Evan K.]

That is the stock routing on my 2g for the O2 harness.