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Old 10-08-2008, 01:27 PM   #30 (permalink)
MetroMPG
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
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Blackfly - '98 Metro
Team Metro
90 day: 67.07 mpg (US)

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90 day: 125.37 mpg (US)

U.F.O. - '00 Insight
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard View Post
Did you solve the wheel clearance on turns; and if so, how? Or was this just a proof of concept?
This was just proof of concept. The tire pushed the skirt off each time I turned the car around to repeat the run, and I stopped at the side of the road & re-taped it. But basjoos already solved the clearance issue: top hinge.

Quote:
Originally Posted by fit7ad View Post
Any chance you can repeat the tuft test with a partial cover? There may be significant improvement just by lowering the wheel arch a bit.
I think you're right: there's likely a good amount of improvement with a partial cover. I'm guessing approx the top 1/3 or so of the wheel. You'll see this on a number of aero cars (on the rear wheels) like the Mercedes Bionic car (you have to look closely; it's a clear plastic skirt) and their big 4-cyl diesotto concept saloon; even the GM EV1 only covered about half of the rear wheel.

Not going to repeat the test though. It's a lot of time & work! Plus, I'm more interested in the full meal deal.
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