i am doing a project for my physics class and i need to know the drag coefficient for my 97 maxima. Does anyone know this figure. Also does anyone know how much one of the body kits or spoilers changes this number. thanks

 

I dont know about 4th gens, but I can tell you that a stock 3rd gen SE has a drag coefficient of .32
if you can't find the 4th gen info anywhere, just use this it's not the same, but I dont think it would be that far off

 

ok thanks i will go with that, do you know how they figure out that number?

 

not sure exactly, I would guess a wind tunnel

here's the pic from a 1989 maxima brochure

 

I wonder what the 5th gen coefficient is?
Does lowering your car lower that coefficient? ie with Eibachs or H&R?

 

Drag coefficients are based primarily on the shape of objects and the amount of area that you are basing the coefficient on... For example, as was mentioned, squares (boxes) and rounded objects of the same area will have different drag coefficients. What I mean by the area that you are basing it on is that you could base it on say the frontal area of the car or on the total surface area of the car. The results for the two will be somewhat different. However, as was mentioned, the easiest way to find it is by putting it a wind tunnel and running some experiments.

 

I thought someone said that 5th gens had .33 with spoiler, .34 without? Not sure...

 

.32 Coefficent Drag from the 95-99 Max also.

 

.31 SE 5th Gen
.32 GXE/GLE 5th Gen
basically i think its the spoiler.

 

you think right

 

im very intelligent.
my concept for lowering drag coefficient



-bookshelf wing
hm.. i wonder if that will get me to .20 drag coefficient....