Added an air dam to the '99 Metro

[Daox]

This afternoon I made up an air dam for the Metro.

Here is what I started with. Its actually closer to 9" of clearance, but with holding the tape measure and the camera you can't tell.





I used lawn edging from the local big box store. I think this whole coil was $5.





I also picked up a bunch of L-brackets at the store. These were about $.70 cents each.

Using existing holes in the bumper (and drilling one here or there), I put some bolts through it to hold it in place.







Here is the finished product.









Still plenty of ground clearance, even for winter I think.





I have only driven the car once since the mod. Its not a familiar route, but it seems to coast a tiny bit better. I maintained speed down a hill where I normally loose speed slowly.

[whatmaycome14]

Looking good!, you should A-B-A and see whatmaycome14 kind of results it is really giving you! I bet it would surprise you...

[MetroMPG]

Aesthetic critique: did the lawn edging come pre-wrinkled? It didn't look flat. Not that it matters functionally.

Originally Posted by Daox

Here is what I started with. Its actually closer to 9" of clearance,

Yeah, these cars have stupid high ride height for little cars. Next classic Metro mod: chop a coil off each spring? Plus that'll increase spring stiffness so you don't have to re-install the rear stabilizer bar! 2 birds, one stone!

Even in GM's advertising photos, they lowered the car.

This is lowered:



This is lowered even more:

[AndrzejM]

Neat!

[BabyDiesel]

I second the cool spring chop!!

Your work has me wanting to put my airdam back on Mr. Tim...

[Daox]

Thanks guys!

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Aesthetic critique: did the lawn edging come pre-wrinkled? It didn't look flat. Not that it matters functionally.

Yes, the lawn edging its not completely flat when all coiled up. It looks good enough for me though. The car isn't exactly a looker. You can't really tell just by walking around the car from normal angles. The entire front is hidden by the overhang, and the sides look decent enough. If it gets your eyes off the rust, success!

[MetroMPG]

I bet you got about 100 mpg on the drive to work this AM.



Actually, like BabyDiesel, I was inspired by your project: I went and found the edging air dam I had installed on the 2007 Civic (sold). I'll stick it on the Firefly soon. Easier than fabricating a durable version of the big a$$ cardboard airdam I tested on the car way back when...





From: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...down-9732.html

That giant airdam worked nicely (coastdown tested). But I never made a permanent version.

The perfect is the enemy of the good.

[Daox]

Yeah, I re-read your thread on your air dam before doing mine. However, with the ~1.5 hrs I had to make mine I pretty much just defaulted to 'how can I do this the easiest' haha. I also wanted to get the dam low enough on the bumper to get it into the airflow.

[Daox]

Actually, I took the Prius today, so I didn't get a chance to try out the Metro on a normal route yet.

[MetroMPG]

Mr Daox: can you do me a flavour and measure the overall width of your fancy new air dam?