Wind buffeting
Discussion
I know this has come up before in other topics, but I’ve always driven with the window open when having fun, but have not been doing so in the Alpine because of the buffeting. I mentioned in another thread that I didn’t think it actually needed much and looking at the supra solution was thinking how this could be achieved on the Alpine. I found a bit of rubber moulding which I thought may do the job, see picture.
It’s very “Heath Robinson” but was just to see if it worked. It does. No buffeting up to c50mph with window fully open and if half open it will go up to (and I assume beyond 😉) any speed you could possibly do on a UK road. If you crack the passenger window an inch it’s even better.
Ideal design would be to increase the width to cover the whole of the metal frame it’s stuck to and shape the top and bottom properly. I don’t suppose anyone likes to play with 3D printing?
Excuse the dust on the car, we have a shed load of fir trees around here and the pollen comes off in clouds, everything is yellow 10 minutes after it’s washed this time of year.
It’s very “Heath Robinson” but was just to see if it worked. It does. No buffeting up to c50mph with window fully open and if half open it will go up to (and I assume beyond 😉) any speed you could possibly do on a UK road. If you crack the passenger window an inch it’s even better.
Ideal design would be to increase the width to cover the whole of the metal frame it’s stuck to and shape the top and bottom properly. I don’t suppose anyone likes to play with 3D printing?
Excuse the dust on the car, we have a shed load of fir trees around here and the pollen comes off in clouds, everything is yellow 10 minutes after it’s washed this time of year.
Interesting, this wasn’t on my list as I thought it was okay, but I’ve not driven much with the windows down until today.
I got a friend to make me something similar for my R8 previously - that car was unbearable without these fitted and almost at the same level as my Lexus once fitted!
I’ve just found my first prototypes (I later revised the design as fitted to increase the height) - so may do some testing and see if I can get some Alpine suitable ones made..
Will keep you posted.
I got a friend to make me something similar for my R8 previously - that car was unbearable without these fitted and almost at the same level as my Lexus once fitted!
I’ve just found my first prototypes (I later revised the design as fitted to increase the height) - so may do some testing and see if I can get some Alpine suitable ones made..
Will keep you posted.
Colin P said:
I too have had some additional thoughts based on a design used on one of the Porsche models. Something similar on the Toyota GT86/BRZ as well.
Will feed back on that too.
Indeed, similar issue and resolution to what 981/982(718) owners have, and there’s the Porsche tax for them too:Will feed back on that too.
https://www.design911.co.uk/porsche/cayman-718/win...
Yup, different ways to do it - Colin P’s version will work, as will my plans - the prototype worked, just not as much as I’d like… version 2 will be better.
I was sceptical of all of this (despite a background in automotive design a few decades ago) - but when I did the mod on the R8 it was an insane difference. The alpine at 40 is how the R8 was at 20, with the addition of the 3d printed bits above it was Lexus equivalent at 40 and good until about 60- a remarkable change!
The Alpine is different because of the location of the punting point relative to the edge of the screen (ignoring also the mirrors) - I think a bit more height will do it. I’m trying to avoid anything on the front quarter light too - you wouldn’t see it in car/ on car, but it would be rubbish with the door open.
I was sceptical of all of this (despite a background in automotive design a few decades ago) - but when I did the mod on the R8 it was an insane difference. The alpine at 40 is how the R8 was at 20, with the addition of the 3d printed bits above it was Lexus equivalent at 40 and good until about 60- a remarkable change!
The Alpine is different because of the location of the punting point relative to the edge of the screen (ignoring also the mirrors) - I think a bit more height will do it. I’m trying to avoid anything on the front quarter light too - you wouldn’t see it in car/ on car, but it would be rubbish with the door open.
Meonstoke said:
I agree, looks good.
Looking forward to hear if the final result really works.
Well the good news is that it works to alleviate any drumming at all with the window 1/3 to 1/2 up at all speeds. Looking forward to hear if the final result really works.
The bad news is that is is barely making any difference (if at all) with the window all the way down, whereas the piece if rubber did. I'm wondering whether it needs to be bigger at the bottom or whether the air is going underneath it and back up into the window. I'm going to have a play by attaching some different profiles/extension to it and see if we can't make a difference. If I can get something that works it's easy to knock up a new one with a different profile/shape.
Unfortunately I've got a lot on currently so not having much chance to try things out. I will report back when I can.
Hi,
I was wondering - any test updates on finding a working solution to the wind buffeting? It'd be great if we could find a way to enjoy going for a drive on a sunny day with the windows would down, even if not fully... I'm sure there's a market for an accessory which works effectively - there certainly is for the Supra with the aftermarket part seemingly quite popular by all accounts.
M.
I was wondering - any test updates on finding a working solution to the wind buffeting? It'd be great if we could find a way to enjoy going for a drive on a sunny day with the windows would down, even if not fully... I'm sure there's a market for an accessory which works effectively - there certainly is for the Supra with the aftermarket part seemingly quite popular by all accounts.
M.
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