Aerodynamic experts, SN95 vs Fox Body, which goes through the wind the easiest?

[Speeds8erM-1]

People always compare the two, saying the fox body is lighter and such but what about this, which is actually more aerodynamic? There were several different models of the fox bodys, so lets say, an SN95 vs the Fox Body GT, LX Hatchback and notchback. The notchback is supposed to be less aerodynamic than an LX Hatchback, Im not sure if the GT's hatchback design would overcome the rear bumper that hangs down and the ground effects on the front, I guess thats another question, which is the most aerodynamic of the fox bodys?

All else being equal, only aerodynamics coming into play, which one would move away from the other at higher speeds? SN95 vs the most aerodynamic fox body?

 

[90mustangGT]

No expert but I would imagine that the SN is more aerodynamic, but it is wider, taking up more space, defeating any advantage. Neither car was designed in a wind tunnel.

 

[Speeds8erM-1]

Neither were designed in a wind tunnel is right, LOL I know alot of the 94-04 guys say the stock wing on them hurts quite a bit, alot take them off and pick up 1 MPH in the 1/4.

 

[HISSIN50]

A brick almost has less aero drag than a fox. Slipstream-wise, the SN has to win IMHO.

 

[Euphoric306]

somewhere i picked up that the aero fox is the most aerodynamic mustang... maybe it was just up until that point in time

sn95 IS heavier tho haha defeating the curvy structure

 

[5spd GT]

The weight difference is minimum between the two.

Aerodynamic win goes to the sn95 in my opinion.

 

[vristang]

I will say that like most people I don't know the answer, but you can find it in old Car and Driver mags I think. They usually listed a Cd for new cars.

Does anyone have old Car an Driver mags from the early/mid 90s?

 

[srothfuss]

I will say that the Fox has a better Cd than the SN. I belive that their are less openings on the front of a Fox (GT Hatch). The SN cars have a huge opening in every nose and this disrupts the airflow a great deal (in my mind.) Also, Just because the SN is round doesn't make it better. It has a larger frontal area, it's wider and longer. All of this effects the drag produced by the car.

If I remeber right, the when Car and Driver compaired a '93 GT Hatch to a '94 GT the '93 had a greater top speed with the '94 only reaching 137MPH.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Theoretically the LX hatchback should be the most aerodynamic Mustang.

The numbers are all over the place. I've found numbers of 0.36 for a 2003GT and 0.33 for a 2004GT from credible sources. That's a pretty huge difference. For the most part i see most SN95's around the 0.34-0.36 range.

The hatchback design and solid frontal area of the LX actually make it slip pretty well. The notch's rear window "notch" creates a pocket of low pressure which increases the drag slightly.

Really we would need Ford's own testing date to be 100% sure....or someone with access to a full size wind tunnel.

I tried determining the C/D of model cars back in college, but my results were in conclusive.

They are both bricks by today's standards. The Infinity G35 has a C/D of 0.27!!!

 

[89white50]

i would say a GT fox would be the most aerodynamic. from my engineering classes before i switch majors, the less openings and curves the better. Its is far more square, but its not as wide. its also lighter, and how the rearend just drops off.

The Infinity G35 has a C/D of 0.27!!!

a very large part of that has to do with the underbody.

 

[Mustang5L5]

i would say a GT fox would be the most aerodynamic. from my engineering classes before i switch majors, the less openings and curves the better. Its is far more square, but its not as wide. its also lighter, and how the rearend just drops off.

Except the rear bumper hurts it by acting as a parachute at speed.

A '93 Cobra would actually be more aero than a GT.

Saleens have air dams that were designed to reduce drag and create stability. No idea if they were more aero than a standard Fox.

 

[5spd GT]

Yeah we would need as many variables as even as possible. All coupes being tested with the same type wing/hood scoop/etc...if your talking about 99+'s.

I still think the sn95 has a better flow pattern. Both cars have almost as equally amount of openings. The radiator has got to get air somehow right? The fox has a moe bricklike front

 

[89white50]

the more air you cut from underneath the body the better the aerodynamics would be until your talking about speeds above 180. its like an indy car. those thing can stick onto the ceilings above 120 cuz they have almost no air going under, all downforce. i would say a gt or cobra fox front end moves more air to the outsides than a SN. my cousins SN is next door. looking at his and looking at mine, except mines lowered soo its like cheating. IMO i would say an Aero front end fox, but owell. thats my opinoin. Neither look like a damn tear drop so who cares...lol

 

[Michael Yount]

Lots of guessing here -- so I'll throw in a guess, and a fact or two. The guess is that the SN95 has a lower CD, but not much less drag (drag = frontal area X CD).

Here are the facts - Fact 1 - you can bet that both the fox and the SN95 spent time in the wind tunnel; Ford meeting federal CAFE requirements assured that; however, low drag numbers usually came in second to the body designer's and marketing wizard's wishes. Fact 2 - for those of you that want to talk about 'bricks' - pm me. I can talk to you about aerodynamic bricks.

 

[Speeds8erM-1]

What about the Saleen bumpers, you think they really work? I heard the Saleen Wing adds alot of drag but the GT one works decent while still sliding through the air.

 

[Mustang5L5]

The LX spoiler is actually the best.

 

[Speeds8erM-1]

Also one of the ugliest.

 

[vristang]

Here is what I could find in Mustang 5.0 Technical Reference & Performance Handbook by Al Kirschenbaum. This gives Drag Coefficients.

Model______1979______1987-93

LX/Notch___.46________.40

LX/Hatch___.44________.36

GT Hatch___N/A_______.36-.39

Convert.____N/A_______.42


The book also states that 136hrs of wind-tunnel testing was done at the University of Maryland aerodynamics facility with 1/4 scale models. Also, typical frontal areas for 1987-93 GT/Cobras is given as approximantely 20.8-21.5 square feet.

As a side note the Cd for the 1983-86 Capri bubble hatchback is given as .38 and the 1980-88 Thunderbirds as .35

 

[srothfuss]

VR, did you find the frontal area for the SN cars? That is really good info. I could only find the 1979 facts online...

 

[mondos90lx]

Also one of the ugliest.

i love it

what about the steeda aero spoiler?