3rd gen Prius aeromod thread

[Vman455]

I bought a Prius at the beginning of February, and after a month and a half have finally gotten around to some aeromodding. Last weekend, I swapped the stock springs for Tein H-Tech, and this weekend I've installed some smooth wheel covers:



I pulled the moon caps from the Civic before it got hauled off, and was disappointed to find they didn't fit the Prius' aluminum wheels (even though they're designed to use wheelcovers). So I had to go the pizza pan route, which didn't turn out too badly after all.

The patients ready for surgery:





I ended up having to redo them and move the bolts toward the rim another 1 1/2" to sit between the split spokes. Oops!

Less wheel gap than factory (Tein says it's around a 1.4" drop):



I also removed the rear windshield wiper while I was at it; I don't want anything disrupting the airflow over the back of the car (which is why that antenna will be going away too):



And lastly, for now, a temporary grill block:





I'll update this thread as I get more done.

[HydroJim]

The car should come with those wheel covers from the factory. It looks beautiful.

[Cobb]

What was the mpg change from lowering, wheel covers and wiper removal?

[NeilBlanchard]

If possible you should put 2 of the wire springs on each hudcap. They'll stay on better. Is the upper grill open at all on the Gen 3? I'd block it off and part of the lower grill.

[MetroMPG]

Wheelcovers look surprisingly good! Consider me subscribed.

Any other aero plans?

[YeahPete]

You need to call the pizza pan manufacturer and see if they will honor thier 3 year warranty if you used them as mooncaps.

Where did you get those pans?

[Cobb]

Looks like the brand they sell at the dollar store.

Originally Posted by YeahPete

Where did you get those pans?

[Vman455]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

If possible you should put 2 of the wire springs on each hudcap. They'll stay on better. Is the upper grill open at all on the Gen 3? I'd block it off and part of the lower grill.

Yes, but the inverter radiator is behind there. I need to setup an X-gauge to monitor inverter temperature before I block those.

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Wheelcovers look surprisingly good! Consider me subscribed.

Any other aero plans?

Oh yes--next up is getting rid of those giant mirrors.

[Vman455]

Originally Posted by YeahPete

You need to call the pizza pan manufacturer and see if they will honor thier 3 year warranty if you used them as mooncaps.

Where did you get those pans?

Originally Posted by Cobb

Looks like the brand they sell at the dollar store.

I'm guilty of patronizing Mal-Wart....

[gone-ot]

Originally Posted by Vman455

I'm guilty of patronizing Mal-Wart....

Wally-world to the rescue (ha,ha)?

Global = Chinese pizza-pans, on a Japanese vehicle, in USA.