Notices
Aerodynamics Splitters, spoilers, and all the aero advice you can handle.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Is there a verdict on the bumper cut?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 2, 2020 | 02:31 PM
  #1  
ICULQQK's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newb
 
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 24
Total Cats: -27
From: Charlotte, NC
Default Is there a verdict on the bumper cut?

I'm building up a HDPE/TimeAttack/Autocross car and i am open to the bumper cut but can't find anywhere that it has any positive impact.

Even looking at well respected cars it is about a 50/50 thing. What are the thought here?
Old Jan 2, 2020 | 05:24 PM
  #2  
Blkbrd69's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 431
Total Cats: 76
From: Orlando, FL
Default

A tiny amount.
The big factor is for Time trial will it bump you up in class?
Old Jan 3, 2020 | 09:35 AM
  #3  
Midtenn's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,195
Total Cats: 310
From: Murfreesboro,TN
Default

IIRC Emilio stated they haven't found any advantage to the bumper cut/removal other than shedding weight off the back of the car.
Old Jan 3, 2020 | 02:16 PM
  #4  
Padlock's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,396
Total Cats: 749
From: Milwaukee, WI
Default

Originally Posted by Midtenn
IIRC Emilio stated they haven't found any advantage to the bumper cut/removal other than shedding weight off the back of the car.
This is all I recall as well..

I did it to mine because I like how it looks... *shrugs*
Old Jan 3, 2020 | 07:59 PM
  #5  
ICULQQK's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newb
 
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 24
Total Cats: -27
From: Charlotte, NC
Default

Originally Posted by Midtenn
IIRC Emilio stated they haven't found any advantage to the bumper cut/removal other than shedding weight off the back of the car.
I'm thinking I won't be doing it for a while
Old Jan 14, 2020 | 12:28 PM
  #6  
Occam’s Racer's Avatar
Newb
 
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 43
Total Cats: 22
From: Ithaca, NY
Default

Kyle did a couple videos on this using a Miata for the CFD. It's a bit confusing because the numbers don't match in the first and second videos, but I think that's because he refined the CFD model between them.


Briefly, the bumper cut helped a bit, both with and without a flat floor.
Old Aug 28, 2021 | 08:43 PM
  #7  
amptramp's Avatar
Newb
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29
Total Cats: -9
From: Mississauga Ontario Canada
Default

I believe there was someone on ClubRoadster who did a finite element analysis of a cut rear bumper on an NA and calculated there was a 7 pound decrease of drag at 75 mph, amounting to a 1.4 horsepower improvement. Not a large increase but not much cost, either.
Old Aug 28, 2021 | 11:52 PM
  #8  
Lokiel's Avatar
All-round "Good Guy"
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,035
Total Cats: 266
From: Brisbane, AUSTRALIA
Default

+ Adds lightness (any lightness is a good thing in an MX5)
+ Looks cool (unless you "butcher it" or take too much off)
+ Prevents your bumper from burning if your 3" exhaust is too close to the OEM bumper
Old Aug 28, 2021 | 11:54 PM
  #9  
thebeerbaron's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,008
Total Cats: 478
From: San Jose
Default

Originally Posted by amptramp
I believe there was someone on ClubRoadster who did a finite element analysis of a cut rear bumper on an NA and calculated there was a 7 pound decrease of drag at 75 mph, amounting to a 1.4 horsepower improvement. Not a large increase but not much cost, either.
You bump a 7+ month-old thread to add an anecdote from ClubRoadster, without even providing a link to the source? I don't think you thought your cunning plan all the way through.

But hey, that unknown source used the words "finite element analysis", so it must be valid..
Old Aug 29, 2021 | 10:32 AM
  #10  
Gee Emm's Avatar
Elite Member
 
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,576
Total Cats: 244
From: Canberra, sort of
Default

Originally Posted by thebeerbaron
But hey, that unknown source used the words "finite element analysis", so it must be valid..
Indeed. FEA is of course the SW of choice for aero analysis, right?

I should know better than to use use irony ... For clarity, and the person who gave me the negcat, CFD (aka Computational Fluid Dynamics) is the software used for aero analysis, FEA is for stress analysis.

Last edited by Gee Emm; Sep 13, 2021 at 03:39 AM. Reason: /irony on ... /irony off
Old Sep 12, 2021 | 09:28 PM
  #11  
CoralDoc's Avatar
Junior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 146
Total Cats: 24
From: Davie, Florida
Default

Originally Posted by Blkbrd69
A tiny amount.
The big factor is for Time trial will it bump you up in class?
It is legal to do this in TT with NASA as long as the bumper cover still covers the main structural element.
From the TT5-6 rules (also applies to TT1-4)
4) Cutting/removal of the rear bumper cover/fascia where it does not cover the rear frame/bumper cross beam
Old Sep 13, 2021 | 01:00 AM
  #12  
Arca_ex's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,634
Total Cats: 431
From: Chandler, AZ
Default

Originally Posted by amptramp
I believe there was someone on ClubRoadster who did a finite element analysis of a cut rear bumper on an NA and calculated there was a 7 pound decrease of drag at 75 mph, amounting to a 1.4 horsepower improvement. Not a large increase but not much cost, either.

There's no way it's that effective. You need to provide your source.

For reference, an APR GT250 wing (same one used in the Singular wing kit) by itself generates approximately 7lbs of drag at 75mph at about 4° angle of attack.
Old Sep 22, 2023 | 10:31 PM
  #13  
MrMiataMan's Avatar
Newb
 
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 15
Total Cats: 2
Default

So I just searched for over an hour for this 7lb at 75 mph research project. Couldn't find it be did find this

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/fo...s/97287/page1/



Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
blackandblown
General Miata Chat
5
Sep 15, 2023 06:11 PM
ByteVenom
General Miata Chat
8
Aug 28, 2017 06:12 PM
Dlaitini
Race Prep
28
Jun 21, 2010 08:19 AM
ls1motorsports
General Miata Chat
14
Feb 28, 2010 08:23 AM
Delhole94
General Miata Chat
2
Mar 28, 2007 08:27 PM




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:01 AM.