51 replies to this topic

[mattdc2r]

^^^ I'd like to agree, but I don't really understand what you just said ;)
Why are formula 1 cars so shiny then?
Can you imagine what animal rights people would have to say if I covered my car in sharks skin?

[MRA]

Okay, have you ever wondered how Sharks catch their prey ? and why they can swim so fast ??

Its because their skin is rough and as they accelerate the tiny little platelets lift up and cause small turbulent areas that allow the laminar (smooth) flow to glide over, a bit like putting a bearing between the floor and a heavy object makes it easier to push along.

[MRA]

I did a google search and look what I found

http://www.livescien...whirlpools.html

Ok after reading it I don't think it would work in our application, give it a few years

[mattdc2r]

This kind of supports my reasoning though (even though I was joking) http://m.bbc.co.uk/n...siness-12428667

Found an answer that makes sense, even to me.
For a submerged body almost all resistance can come from viscous drag at the "skin," as in a torpedo or submarine.
For automobiles,the contribution of skin friction is on the order of 7-12% of total drag,whereas profile drag is on the order of 55%.
Space utilization basically defines the "size" of a vehicle,and it's surface area.
And for commercial coatings as used on autos,laminar boundary layers cannot be maintained above about 20-mph.
Compliant viscostatic coatings which might produce the diaphramic fluid damping exhibited with shark and dolphin skin could theoretically reduce a car's skin friction,but the weight/inertia penalty might over-shadow any gains.The coating would also be required to survive without ablation,for 100,000 miles of driving.
Consumer acceptance of the skin's "styling" could also prove to be a hurdle.

Edited by mattdc2r, 03 February 2013 - 11:59 PM.

[Kam]

Crikey Matt - holy thread resurrection Batman!

Okay, have you ever wondered how Sharks catch their prey ? and why they can swim so fast ??

C'mon guys aero dynamics for something based on a house brick - mini, must be worse if you got a clubby...Jaws was on the other day

Martin I'm sure if I was very hungry and in the sea I'd outswin catch and eat a shark myself, when your hungry man your hungry man!

And take all the crap out of the car that you don't need. Maccies wrappers, drinks cans and any 12" subs/amps etc.

Best engine mod is a dam good service then yep the next best free engine mod available - weight removal

Would be interested to know how the OP got on with this now he's a year older? Hopefully he got the 998 up and running fine and got his first years bonus...hopefully

what is the best way to improve power without the anyone being able to see?

OP?

[JPCorbett]

I've had a 998 for just over a year, it runs okay but a pain in the rear end up hills -.-, all you have to do is avoid hills and having a full car.

For a car that is 998cc with a tiny amount of BHP, I'm quite happy with the way my car performs. I think it's pretty quick for a 1ltr..

People always pull up along side me at traffic lights in their chavy Saxos but 9 times out of 10, I beat them off the mark, they just catch up further down the road but you have to remember its a 1ltr and not anything like other kids our age are driving, (1.2s - 1.6s) just look after what you have, keep ontop of body work etc, sell it in a couple years, get a 1275GT, marvellous ;)

[Klevdo2202]

I would wait a few years and gain some no claims, you'd be surprised how fast 2/3 years goes.... I was exactly like you, wanting a bigger engine (1275) but at the end of the day, a Mini is still a fun car to drive...far better than most euro boxes of today.

Why risk it all?