General QuestionsGeneral questions related to 1999-2007 Super Duty trucks. If it doesn't fit the other categories, post it here. Gas engine discussion that pertains to all models is allowed. Specific gas engine questions should use the Gas Engines forum.
1 HP = 33,000 foot-pounds work/minute by definition
One mile = 5,280 feet
1 hour = 60 minutes, so 60 mph = 1 mile/minute
33,000# ÷ 5,280 = 6.25#
Suppose we attach a sliding track to a free-air-flowing attachment surface. A common hardware store drawer slide would do because they're low friction, low cost, strong, and won't add much wind drag. It can be attached and detached with removable Velcro adhesive strips. Then attach to the slide an object you'd like to test for wind flow drag. Various-sized outside mirrors are obvious candidates. Attach a thin cable or heavy-test rated fishing line to the slide, then pull it to a position about half way between its front and rear stops leaving no cable slack. Attach the cable to your spring scale so it is easily-read from inside the vehicle. If the spring scale doesn't have a plastic case, it would be wise to cover it's outside edges with duct tape so it can't easily chip paint. Secure spring scale front to a forward attachment point.
The idea is that wind drag will push your test objects rearward but the spring scale & cables will resist rearward movement. We are trying to discover how many pounds that resisting force requires.
Time to test your first object. The huge factory towing mirrors that came with "Camper Package" equipped trucks are a real sails. Drive 60 mph, read and record the scale pound reading. Divide its 60 mph drag pounds by 6.25 to discover how much horsepower that object requires to be pushed 60 mph through air. This generates pretty good 60 mph horsepower consumption estimates for tested devices. "Yoke, sugar, easy."
Try holding one of those big factory mirrors straight out at arms length flat into the wind at 60 mph. That feels like more than 6.25# to me. But without testing we can only speculate.
If you run some of these tests, please post their results.
John
__________________
One measure of life success is whether you wrinkle your brain faster than you wrinkle your skin.
Lightest 1995 Standard Cab PowerStroke F-250 with factory "Camper Package," no AC, 5-speed, Conklin ParaSynthetic Oil with MolyLube, oversized 10-micron filter, Randy's Ring & Pinion aftermarket 3.07 ratio running in Royal Purple, Stanadyne always in fuel, tires @ 100 psi, nearly zero friction brake adjustments, 203 degree thermostat enables higher engine efficiency than 195 degree units, front end precisely aligned with minimal toe-in to reduce friction, lowest rolling friction F-250 I've seen. 2-axle trailer tires run 110 psi generating less rolling friction than lower pressure tires. Infrequently carried slide-in camper is an older all-hard-side Siera pop-up. Hard sides seem more secure than canvas connected pop-ups when up and never have canvas mold problems. Pop-ups push less wind than fixed height slide-ins.
I must have skipped school the day we went over this! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]
__________________
2002 F-350 Lariat, Crew Cab, Long Bed, SRW, 4X4, Auto trans, Blue IH CPS, Tymar intake, Wicked Wheel, Zoodad Mod, Intercooler wrap removal, 4" straight pipe exhaust, 2" leveling kit, ISSPRO gauges, Acetone Badges, XM radio, Cobra CB, DVD, 315 Dick Cepeks,
CHROME EVERYTHING!!
106,000 mostly trouble free miles and counting!
AutoForums.com is the premier network of enthusiast-owned
enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
We operate more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share
experiences and opinions as a community.
Linear Mode
