Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Ilia@IND
Quote:
Originally Posted by stealth.pilot
Wouldn't this lip compromise the design for air flow to the intercooler?
My understanding is that the reason for the cut out area in the middle of the bumper is to optimize air flow to the intercooler.
|
You are correct in stating that the openings at the front of the bumper feed the heat exchangers located at the front of the car.
However, the air does not flow into the lower vent located beneath the car and out of the front bumper, but rather into the front bumper's center opening and is then evacuated out of the lower vent. The low pressure zone beneath the car encourages this effect.
By adding a front spoiler to the front bumper we encourage the formation of a high pressure zone above the spoiler, and a low pressure zone below the spoiler. This reduces lift at the front of the car and improves the cars dynamics at high speed as a result.
As an added benefit (and more relevant to this conversation), the high pressure zone at the front of the bumper encourages airflow through the coolers, and allows for better cooling performance at lower vehicle speeds.
As an example, the BMW factory built E92 M3 GT4 race car has very similar cooling system packaging to the F10 M5 with respect to the positioning and placement of its coolers. The original BMW GT4 front spoiler also closes the space left by the "fangs" of the normal M front bumper, and this spoiler has proven to have no detrimental effect on the cars cooling system in the most dramatic racing conditions. |
You tell him Ilia! GREAT and useful explanation. As always you guys @ IND know your stuff! Were just armchair engineers here.
