Word from Acura on how OEM body kit affects aerodynamics
01-05-2005, 03:28 PM
#1
I'm the Firestarter
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Word from Acura on how OEM body kit affects aerodynamics
I sent an email to Acura.ca asking how the OEM body kit affects the drag coefficient. This is what they said:
Dear Mr. XXX,
This will acknowledge and thank you for your e-mail regarding your 2004 Acura TSX.
We can advise that the skirts offered as genuine accessories for your vehicle are designed to enhance the appearance and the esthetic of the automobile only. As they are not designed to improve the performance and handling of the TSX, we are unable to advise of the impact they have on aerodynamics. As such, we are unable to provide you with an aerodynamic coefficient measurement for such a configuration as there were no tests conducted in this regard.
Thank you again Mr. XXX, for your consideration in contacting Acura.
Yours very truly,
ACURA, a division of
HONDA CANADA INC.
YYY
Customer Relations Specialist
NOTE: Please do not use the \'Reply\' function of your email. If you have a need to respond to this, please contact our Customer Relations Call Centre at (888) 946-6329.Our system is NOT able to accept any emails at this address.
Note: Veuillez ne pas utiliser la fonction \'Répondre\' de votre courriel. Si vous devez répondre à ceci, svp, contactez le centre d'appel des Relations à la Clientèle au 1(888) 946-6329. Notre système n'est pas en mesure d'accepter de courriel à cette adresse.
In other words:
PS. The reply actually came from a honda.com email address.
Dear Mr. XXX,
This will acknowledge and thank you for your e-mail regarding your 2004 Acura TSX.
We can advise that the skirts offered as genuine accessories for your vehicle are designed to enhance the appearance and the esthetic of the automobile only. As they are not designed to improve the performance and handling of the TSX, we are unable to advise of the impact they have on aerodynamics. As such, we are unable to provide you with an aerodynamic coefficient measurement for such a configuration as there were no tests conducted in this regard.
Thank you again Mr. XXX, for your consideration in contacting Acura.
Yours very truly,
ACURA, a division of
HONDA CANADA INC.
YYY
Customer Relations Specialist
NOTE: Please do not use the \'Reply\' function of your email. If you have a need to respond to this, please contact our Customer Relations Call Centre at (888) 946-6329.Our system is NOT able to accept any emails at this address.
Note: Veuillez ne pas utiliser la fonction \'Répondre\' de votre courriel. Si vous devez répondre à ceci, svp, contactez le centre d'appel des Relations à la Clientèle au 1(888) 946-6329. Notre système n'est pas en mesure d'accepter de courriel à cette adresse.
In other words:
We dunno. 
PS. The reply actually came from a honda.com email address.
01-05-2005, 03:36 PM
#2
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I might say in other words:
The kit is only for looks so does not improve, and might even negatively impact coef of drag so by not testing we can claim no knowledge of either
01-05-2005, 04:10 PM
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Even if the drag coefficient stays the same with the addition of the body kit, the additional frontal area that the kit adds would increase the total drag force.
I know some people like to pay hundreds of dollars to add non-functional pieces of plastic to their car, but considering they actually produce a performance penalty in most cases, I would never do it myself.
I know some people like to pay hundreds of dollars to add non-functional pieces of plastic to their car, but considering they actually produce a performance penalty in most cases, I would never do it myself.
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01-05-2005, 04:22 PM
#8
I'm the Firestarter
Thread Starter
I'm sure it adds downforce though. Hey, it looks like a racing kit, it has to do at least some kind of approximation of the effects of a racing kit, right?
As for gas milage, I doubt you'd be able to measure the difference in real life.
As for gas milage, I doubt you'd be able to measure the difference in real life.
01-05-2005, 05:50 PM
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I do not know for sure about the TSX A-Spec kit, but the TL and RSX A-Spec kits do improve the airflow around the body and create some extra down force. This has been verified a few times, most recently by wind tunnel testing of the HRA-O TL race car with the A-Spec kit.
I would imagine the TSX is the same, but with an already pretty low cd, that would be impressive if the kit lowered it. My guess is that it is about the same.
Dan
I would imagine the TSX is the same, but with an already pretty low cd, that would be impressive if the kit lowered it. My guess is that it is about the same.
Dan
01-05-2005, 06:43 PM
#10
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It shouldn't affect much, I installed the Wing West Type-W kit on my Accord Coupe (completely for looks.) and I have the exact same MPG as before the kit. I was amazed; that urethane is heavy and adds a bunch of frontal area, I know it can't help-- the millions of additional dead bugs in the summer tell me so. 
The TSX kit looks mild by comparison.
The TSX kit looks mild by comparison.
01-05-2005, 09:07 PM
#11
I'm the Firestarter
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I'm sure with the improved aerodynamics the OEM kit adds at least 10 hp.
01-05-2005, 09:12 PM
#12
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I have a theory that ricer stickers add equivilent HP.
decal stickers have less drag then paint when exposed to the friction of air at speed thus, more stickers makes your car have lower drag = faster, right?
decal stickers have less drag then paint when exposed to the friction of air at speed thus, more stickers makes your car have lower drag = faster, right?
01-05-2005, 09:53 PM
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Originally Posted by MrChad
I have a theory that ricer stickers add equivilent HP.
decal stickers have less drag then paint when exposed to the friction of air at speed thus, more stickers makes your car have lower drag = faster, right?
decal stickers have less drag then paint when exposed to the friction of air at speed thus, more stickers makes your car have lower drag = faster, right?
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acura, aerodynamics, affect, area, auto, body, coefficient, coefficients, drag, effect, frontal, kit, kits, mdx, nsx, performance, tsx
