Hi everyone....I'm kind of new here and still trying to get a grip on things, so please bear with me. I'd also like to clarify that automotive background is in the performance field, so my approach regarding aerodynamics has always been "performance 1st"....but I'm willing to change.
I've been sifting through the mountain of info here and I continue to come up with the same question: What's really practical when it comes to aero mods? And where should we draw the line between the potential sacrifice of safety for overall efficiency?
For example: Boat-tailing....I'm beginning to understand the design benefits. Please correct me if I'm wrong here, but doesn't the shape of the boattail induce neutral flow characteristics to achieve efficiency? As opposed to a drag inducing, mildly spoiled rear end which has the potential to create usable downforce.
I'd like to cite an example from auto racing history. During the 1950's some auto mfgrs designed race cars with neutral aero efficiency(ie:Jaguar C-type, Alfa Romeo Discovolante(sp?)). Both vehicles were rather competitive in thier respective classes, but were almost completely void of downforce and lacked the outright handling necessary to be dominant. And later designs from these mfgrs often swayed away from the neutral lines in exchange for more aggressive surfaces with downforce/lateral stability benefits.
I've always been under the assumption that you don't have to drive a racecar to benefit from aero mods. If I were driving @ 75mph(legally) on an open highway in 40mph crosswinds or 55mph through twisting roads on a mountain pass, I'd much rather have a small rear spoiler than a large boattail.
There are more obvious mods that could widely be considered less practical(ie:wiper/ext.mirror delete).
What are some genuine opinions regarding this subject?
Thanx, SL8Brick
SL8Brick 
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