I haven't really bothered with bodykits until now. I have a 3rd gen, btw. One thing that sort of worries me is the affect on aerodynamics that bodykits may have. Obviously Mazda spent a lot of effort on getting the aerodynamics right and it's not something I would like to mess with. A potential benefit I do see with some of the front modifications in particular is that the air-dam tends to be bigger which can only be a good thing.

Anyways, is it the forum's opinion that bodykits are typically designed to be aerodynamically sound or are they mainly for looks? I'm particularly looking at front modifications, like from C-West, Mazdaspeed, or Veilside.

 

Well, the Mazdaspeed 15th Anniversary body kit is supposed to have been through some aerodynamic testing in a wind tunnel. That is the information that I have...not sure if that is totally true, however, I would believe it based on the design on the bodykit. (If I remember correctly, the Mazdaspeed site also had pics of the widebody kit w/ a fan or something similar in the background) This is especially true when you examine the spoiler. The spoiler is NOT a GT style wing. It remains relatively low to body, but not too low. In fact, the JDM spoiler is also similar in terms of height.

In terms of the front of the car, the stock RX-7 can benefit w/ the addition of a front spoiler/air dam. R1 models had an additional lip that was added (it may be purchased sperately). Whether an aftermarket company utilizes the benefits of wind tunnel testing or some form of aerodynamic testing is up to them.

In my opinion, specifically for the RX-7, most aftermarket companies tend to produce products that are both for looks as well as somewhat aerodynamically sound. Whether they are truly tested to be aerodynamically sound is a different matter, but the designers seem to have some idea of what may be helpful aerodynamically. Like the Veilsde kit...you could rationalize that the "mouth" of the kit would allow help channel air to the intercooler and at the same time, the "nose" portion would aid in directing air over the streamlined contours of the car. In the FEED, you could rationalize that the enlarged side air ducts aid in allowing air to go to the brake ducts, etc.

So my belief is that there is some aerodynamic consideration involved. Whether it is actually aerodynamically tested to be true, that is a whole different matter.

 

Most american made kits are made to be areodynamicaly neutral.
They don't want someone installing it then wrecking and filing a suit against them. This goes mainly for spoilers.

Most japanes kits are made with areodynamics in mid though, even though they are for looks too.
But they are also mostly designed by eye, to what the designer thinks (and they are generally right) is going to be aerodynamicly efficient.


If you have questions about Veilsides CI kit's aerodynamic effects then ask Steve Kan why he races without his spoiler on the car.