Looking for aerodynamic mod ideas?

are there any front lips for our cars?

 

Unless you have a computed fluid dynamics program on your computer or a wind tunnel, I doubt you'll improve anything and you might increase lag. Toyota is a big company, Im sure its as aerodynamic as its going to get.

 

Would a lower custom front air dam reduce drag?

 

Could one ever know that it was an improvement without using a windtunnel or industrial-strength CFD?

 

Mount a windmill generator in the engine compartment. Not for aerodynamics, but to keep the HV battery charged up and assisting with gas mileage.

Which reminds me, why not mount short windmills along the interstate to catch the 70mpg wind coming off cars as they whizz by (and regular wind too) and feed the grid? Cheap and easy to maintain.

 

Check out this thread with a gen1. I think it's pretty awesome.

http://priuschat.com/forums/generation-1-prius-discussion/76452-nhw11-prius-aeromods-29-bust.html

For a DIY front lip, you can do the (kind of ghetto, but actually workable) Home Depot lip:
DIY Front Lip... - Club RSX Message Board

 

Any idea if such a mod would benefit or mess up the aerodynamics of the Prius with its underbody panels?

 

In general, people try to reduce the amount of air going under the car as much as possible to reduce drag.

 

You should have a good understanding before trying things out, but the Prius is not as efficient as it can be. The EV-1 had a Cd of .19 for instance. Toyota made several compromises so it wouldn't look too outlandish. The original Insight was also more aerodynamic, but looked less mainstream (ironically, people think of the Prius shape & style as somehow 'necessary' for an aerodynamic hybrid).

Back wheel skirts, better streamlining underneath. If you want to spend the money on cameras instead of rear view mirrors, that's an obvious improvement. I think the front grill (upper & lower) could be improved too, especially if you live in a cooler climate, where a big grill isn't needed. Make it adjustable so you can change the opening based on the temperature.

 

Sorry if I'm somewhat derailing...but is there a way to mount the front license plate in a more aero position? I've seen some people bend their plates horizontally just before the numbers and use the mounting holes to mount under the front bumper, but was wondering if there's a way to just mount the plate flush with the bumper either on the driver's or passenger's side...

Edit - okay, I know that it's "illegal" to bend the plate in any way, but Prii's are lowkey anyway, and shouldn't really be targeted...at least here in SF. These cops are either really freakin' busy or really lazy and hang out all the time (like the cops that hang out at my coffee house).