Testing a Smooth Engine Undertray
When I investigated the effects of a splitter on my Prius , I discovered something unusual: gauge pressures on the stock engine undertray were a lot higher than I expected. Julian Edgar’s Vehicle Aerodynamics: Testing, Modification & Development includes several examples of engine undertrays with measured pressures much less than atmospheric. My test showed that the Prius undertray was developing pressures at atmospheric or higher. What was going on? Gauge pressure at 80 kph. Left: no splitter. Center: with splitter. Right: difference. Hypothesis and Testing So, I’ve got a problem here I want to investigate: high pressures on the engine undertray where most examples I’ve read about have lower pressures. Where to begin? When you investigate something like this, a good place to start is fundamental principles. I know that velocity and pressure are related, and that as pressure goes down, velocity goes up. So the velocity under my car’s engine undertray must be slower than on