Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > Aerodynamics
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 01-04-2011, 02:41 PM   This thread is in the EcoModder Project Library | #1 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
CigaR007's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Canada
Posts: 679

GreenTurtle (Retired) - '01 Toyota Echo Sedan
90 day: 44.85 mpg (US)

Zulu - '14 Honda CR-Z
90 day: 49.05 mpg (US)
Thanks: 149
Thanked 236 Times in 147 Posts
Lower & Upper Grille Block Ideas *UPDATED*

So I have completed the first aero mod on my 2001 Toyota Echo.

The lower Grille Block consists of three uncut foam pipe wrap. They were simply inserted and are being held by nothing else but the foam's natural expansion.

The upper Grille Block is partial and is composed of open cell tape that has been cut to fit the Grille design.

Open cell tape has also been used to insulate the existing gap between the headlamps and the hood.

After the installation, I went for a drive on the highway and the coolant temperature was stable at 190 for most of the trip, except towards the end when it rose to 202. I didn't hear the fan come on but I had a feeling it would continue to rise; but it didn't.

Should I leave an opening on the lower Grille Block just to be on the safe side ?

Thanks for the input !

Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	grille-block.jpg
Views:	922
Size:	46.0 KB
ID:	7601   Click image for larger version

Name:	lower1.jpg
Views:	831
Size:	74.4 KB
ID:	7602   Click image for larger version

Name:	upper1.jpg
Views:	816
Size:	43.4 KB
ID:	7603   Click image for larger version

Name:	insulation.jpg
Views:	741
Size:	35.7 KB
ID:	7604   Click image for larger version

Name:	no-grille.jpg
Views:	892
Size:	75.4 KB
ID:	7605  


Last edited by CigaR007; 07-19-2011 at 08:33 PM.. Reason: added pic
  Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to CigaR007 For This Useful Post:
alohaspirit (01-05-2011), Patrick (07-01-2014)
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 01-04-2011, 03:50 PM   #2 (permalink)
Pokémoderator
 
cfg83's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 5,864

1999 Saturn SW2 - '99 Saturn SW2 Wagon
Team Saturn
90 day: 40.49 mpg (US)
Thanks: 439
Thanked 530 Times in 356 Posts
CigaR007 -

I like the layout. The upper grill block looks OEM to me.

Since it looks sooooo cold where you are, I would just leave the lower grill block as is and watch the coolant temps on your scangauge. If it the temperature looks too hot to you then yank the lowest pipe insulator. It it's still too hot, yank the middle one.

If it's too inconvenient to get out of the car for the weather you are in, then yank the lowest one before your leave home.

For my car, the coolant temp is "normal" at 191-195 degrees F. The electric fan automatically comes on at 220 degrees F. I have a manual fan radiator switch that I usually turn on if I hit 210 degrees F. Typically, I *only* reach 210 degrees F when I am stuck in traffic for a long period of time.

CarloSW2
__________________

What's your EPA MPG? Go Here and find out!
American Solar Energy Society
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-04-2011, 04:31 PM   #3 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
CigaR007's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Canada
Posts: 679

GreenTurtle (Retired) - '01 Toyota Echo Sedan
90 day: 44.85 mpg (US)

Zulu - '14 Honda CR-Z
90 day: 49.05 mpg (US)
Thanks: 149
Thanked 236 Times in 147 Posts
Ok. That's reassuring. We'll see if it provides a noticeable gain.
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-04-2011, 05:21 PM   #4 (permalink)
Aero Wannabe
 
COcyclist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: NW Colo
Posts: 738

TDi - '04 VW Golf
TEAM VW AUDI Group
90 day: 53.2 mpg (US)
Thanks: 705
Thanked 218 Times in 169 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by CigaR007 View Post
We'll see if it provides a noticeable gain.
I have mine almost totally blocked in winter. It really helps with warmup times but in colder climates many of us get our lowest mileage this time of year.
__________________
60 mpg hwy highest, 50+mpg lifetime
TDi=fast frugal fun
https://ecomodder.com/forum/showthre...tml#post621801


Quote:
Originally Posted by freebeard View Post
The power needed to push an object through a fluid increases as the cube of the velocity. Mechanical friction increases as the square, so increasing speed requires progressively more power.
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-04-2011, 05:43 PM   #5 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
CigaR007's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Canada
Posts: 679

GreenTurtle (Retired) - '01 Toyota Echo Sedan
90 day: 44.85 mpg (US)

Zulu - '14 Honda CR-Z
90 day: 49.05 mpg (US)
Thanks: 149
Thanked 236 Times in 147 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by COcyclist View Post
I have mine almost totally blocked in winter. It really helps with warmup times but in colder climates many of us get our lowest mileage this time of year.
Yeah, it sucks when I do not get the expected mileage at key points (1/4 tank, 1/2 tank) on the gas gauge. I even remove all the snow and scrape the ice from the windshield and windows before starting the car.
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-04-2011, 08:21 PM   #6 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Alberta Canada
Posts: 744

redyaris - '07 Toyota Yaris
Team Toyota
90 day: 45.54 mpg (US)

Gray - '07 Suzuki GS500 F
Motorcycle
90 day: 70.4 mpg (US)

streamliner1 - '83 Honda VT500 streamliner
Motorcycle
90 day: 75.63 mpg (US)

White Whale - '12 Sprinter 2500 Cargo Van
90 day: 22.01 mpg (US)
Thanks: 81
Thanked 75 Times in 67 Posts
On my 2007 Yaris Hatch back I have an upper grill blocker and a partial lower grill blocker on the passenger side, and a WAI. I get 85*C coolent temp. most of the time, I have had it go to 95*C in the summer while stuck in traffic in Calgary and I can't remmber the fan ever coming on. I would be inclined to remove part of the lower grill blocker on the driver side [Directly infront of the radiator] Just to be on the safe side. If you look in the em garage you can see what I've done.
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-04-2011, 11:14 PM   #7 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
CigaR007's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Canada
Posts: 679

GreenTurtle (Retired) - '01 Toyota Echo Sedan
90 day: 44.85 mpg (US)

Zulu - '14 Honda CR-Z
90 day: 49.05 mpg (US)
Thanks: 149
Thanked 236 Times in 147 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by redyaris View Post
On my 2007 Yaris Hatch back I have an upper grill blocker and a partial lower grill blocker on the passenger side, and a WAI. I get 85*C coolent temp. most of the time, I have had it go to 95*C in the summer while stuck in traffic in Calgary and I can't remmber the fan ever coming on. I would be inclined to remove part of the lower grill blocker on the driver side [Directly infront of the radiator] Just to be on the safe side. If you look in the em garage you can see what I've done.
Duly noted. Thanks for the input.
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2011, 07:37 PM   #8 (permalink)
Grasshopper
 
alohaspirit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Hawaii
Posts: 964

Makai - '01 Toyota Echo 4D Auto
90 day: 34.45 mpg (US)

New Galaxy - '07 Toyota Prius
90 day: 42.15 mpg (US)
Thanks: 25
Thanked 30 Times in 25 Posts
Nicely done


I was thinking about using foam but i didnt have any

I am pretty worried about temp though.
You should be fine since its cold over there
(but its sure not cold over here)

Cant wait for the numbers
__________________
Past Present Future?
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2011, 09:05 PM   #9 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
NeilBlanchard's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Maynard, MA Eaarth
Posts: 7,907

Mica Blue - '05 Scion xA RS 2.0
Team Toyota
90 day: 42.48 mpg (US)

Forest - '15 Nissan Leaf S
Team Nissan
90 day: 156.46 mpg (US)

Number 7 - '15 VW e-Golf SEL
TEAM VW AUDI Group
90 day: 155.81 mpg (US)
Thanks: 3,475
Thanked 2,950 Times in 1,844 Posts
Is the chin area behind the front bumper open? If it is open, you can close it off so the air that does come through the grill then goes through the radiator. The better use of the air means that you still get enough cooling without the huge stock grill opening...

My fan comes on at 204F; and I think the xA and the Echo have the same engine...
__________________
Sincerely, Neil

http://neilblanchard.blogspot.com/
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2011, 09:42 PM   #10 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
CigaR007's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Canada
Posts: 679

GreenTurtle (Retired) - '01 Toyota Echo Sedan
90 day: 44.85 mpg (US)

Zulu - '14 Honda CR-Z
90 day: 49.05 mpg (US)
Thanks: 149
Thanked 236 Times in 147 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard View Post
Is the chin area behind the front bumper open? If it is open, you can close it off so the air that does come through the grill then goes through the radiator. The better use of the air means that you still get enough cooling without the huge stock grill opening...

My fan comes on at 204F; and I think the xA and the Echo have the same engine...
Not sure what you mean by "chin area behind the front bumper".

Indeed, the Echo and xA share the same engine.

So basically, the lower grille block could become problematic since scangauge recorded 202F towards the end of the trip. So for longer trips, it would be advisable to remove at least one of the insulation tubes. I have noticed however, that for short trips, it has improved the warm-up time.

Thanks again for the feedback.

  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Tags
aero mod, grille block, toyota echo

Thread Tools




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com