Anybody intentionally NOT install the underbody strakes on their GT/PP or DH/HP?

[young at heart]

Yes I saw where the poster measured 2-3/4” clearance in this thread: https://www.mustang7g.com/forums/threads/side-bottom-air-deflectors-strikers.157999/

But I’m just wondering if in everyday real-world driving they significantly compromise ground clearance? Or, conversely do they improve airflow to the point you wouldn’t want to not have them on the car?

So how about it folks, on or off? The dealer is supposedly sending a tech out to my house in a few days to install all the “trunk stuff” they cleverly left off (and remove the shipping spacers) so I need to decide fairly soon.

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[Pmamba]

I never received mine and by the time I realized I was supposed to have them it was too late. So I guess in I’m on the didn’t install side.

 

[GrabberB]

Yes I saw where the poster measured 2-3/4” clearance in this thread: https://www.mustang7g.com/forums/threads/side-bottom-air-deflectors-strikers.157999/

But I’m just wondering if in everyday real-world driving they significantly compromise ground clearance? Or, conversely do they improve airflow to the point you wouldn’t want to not have them on the car?

So how about it folks, on or off? The dealer is supposedly sending a tech out to my house in a few days to install all the “trunk stuff” they cleverly left off (and remove the shipping spacers) so I need to decide fairly soon.

Here's my take on the underbody strakes. They are designed to help with rear downforce. I doubt anyone on here can actually comment on how much difference they make with or without. I'd venture to say a wind tunnel is where the evidence would be.

I'd say they're really designed to improve downforce on track.

My vote is install them. They're fairly flexible and have a good 3/4 - 1" of movement fore and aft should they come in contact with the ground.

On my PP, I have exactly 3 1/2" clearance, I believe the DH is about 3/4" lower so I'd say the 2 3/4" clearance mentioned and demonstrated in the reference thread is accurate.

My vote is install for 2 reasons -
1. They belong on the car.
2. You never know when the itch could strike to get a little crazy one day where the additional downforce could save the rear of the car from breaking loose. Likely, no. Possible, yes.

Edit - I see the 'to strake or not strake" as a risk vs. reward scenario. My vote is on the reward side which = to strake.


My 2 cents.

 

[GrabThatBlue]

My dealership didn't install it and I found them in the trunk with all the floor mats that came extra.

I'm going to install them when I ship the car to Europe.
I picked my car up today from undercoating it and they asked me if I want them installed. I told them not to do so cause it doesn't make sense as where I live. I need more ground clearance over here.

 

[GrabberB]

Another note. The strakes channel air out the sides of the vehicle ahead of the rear tires. Channeling out the side lessens the amount of air funneling between the rear wheel/tires. This decrease in air volume out the back decreases the lift on the rear of the vehicle which in turn allows the rear spoiler to do a better job applying downforce. In other words. the lift decrease is a gift to the spoiler.

 

[Pmamba]

Another note. The strakes channel air out the sides of the vehicle ahead of the rear tires. Channeling out the side lessens the amount of air funneling between the rear wheel/tires. This decrease in air volume out the back decreases the lift on the rear of the vehicle which in turn allows the rear spoiler to do a better job applying downforce. In other words. the lift decrease is a gift to the spoiler.

I have a vert without a spoiler. Wouldn’t that be a liability for Ford?

 

[smurfslayer]

Me.

Mine were in the trunk too and with that little clearance it will only take speed bump to wipe them out.

 

[GrabThatBlue]

I have a vert without a spoiler. Wouldn’t that be a liability for Ford?

Ofcourse not. Your car is build and meets all safety regulations. Nothing to blame Ford about.

 

[GhastlyTT]

They're decently flexible and have enough give to bend out of the way if there's a clearance issue. No problem having them installed.

 

[GrabberB]

I have a vert without a spoiler. Wouldn’t that be a liability for Ford?

Your profile photo appears to show a non PP front spoiler which if correct means you would not have received the underbody strakes.

Assuming all of the above is correct I do not understand the liability issue you're referencing.

Additionally, even if you had the underbody aero strakes it would still be a positive. The strakes would still help reduce rear lift which is a positive even if there is no pronounced spoiler.

 

[GrabThatBlue]

Your profile photo appears to show a non PP front spoiler which if correct means you would not have received the underbody strakes.

Assuming all of the above is correct I do not understand the liability issue you're referencing.

Additionally, even if you had the underbody aero strakes it would still be a positive. The strakes would still help reduce rear lift which is a positive even if there is no pronounced spoiler.

I compared his front lip with mine and it looks like he has a PP.

 

[GrabberB]

I compared his front lip with mine and it looks like he has a PP.

Maybe which is why I said appears. I cannot say for sure. Again, no harm in having them without a pronounced spoiler. I did catch the fact he said they were not supplied.

 

[RLE55]

This has been discussed before, but here is the purpose and functionality of the strakes from a Ford Mustang aerodynamicist.
https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a60718137/ford-2024-mustang-underbody-aero/

 

[Pmamba]

Your profile photo appears to show a non PP front spoiler which if correct means you would not have received the underbody strakes.

Assuming all of the above is correct I do not understand the liability issue you're referencing.

Additionally, even if you had the underbody aero strakes it would still be a positive. The strakes would still help reduce rear lift which is a positive even if there is no pronounced spoiler.

It has the PP. I didn’t know about the strakes until I saw the post a couple of months ago but I purchased it back in March.

When you mentioned more downforce to help the spoiler I was just curious because I don’t have one with it being a vert. It would have made more sense on Fords part to include it on the verts with the PP. I think it’s an option for non-PP models.

 

[Mr Hyde]

They're decently flexible and have enough give to bend out of the way if there's a clearance issue. No problem having them installed.

This nailes it. They are quite flexible. Ive hit a few speed bumps here in florida and our roads have some rapid and random transitions. They hold up fine and you can feel a difference the car feels more planted and less floaty.

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